My Artificer found 20 Large ancient tomes, worth about 100GP each. I devised a realistic plan to carry them. It was clear they were not light but the DM did not have time to spend on my series of questions. (I agreed, but my character hung back focused on the books while the rest of the party tried to figure out a trap. Something my character would absolutely do.) If the books were around 5 lbs each or more. Naturally, simple math-100lbs + of books. I could not carry that many, and it is an ongoing joke that my character has tried to convince the party to give me money to replicate a bag of holding and they refuse. We are all criminals in Eberron. Although it does not say in the rules I need anything at all to replicate it. I went with the DM's decision.
So I took the blankets off from some beds and I have a pole of collapsing. I made a Milkmaids Yoke. (the bags hanging from the pole.) DM liked the idea but I still can not handle the weight. I had to ask a stronger PC to carry them. Would any of you as a DM allow your player to tie the books to his Steel Defender. I would assume I could not use him to perform any other actions. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
In the campaign I am currently playing my character is an Artificer. My party recently finished a very long section in an underground mine that spanned multiple days and many fights. When we finished its conclusion and it was time to head back, we had left loot piles in various sections of the mine. On our way out we then decided what we could carry with us from each stash. My Artificer does not like to be encumbered by large heavy objects so he usually leaves the bulkier stuff behind, but I did strap a Hide Shield and a Greatsword to my Steel Defender's back to carry for me, as I wanted something to sell or break down into materials. With it's (14)Strength I think this is a practical request to your DM.
In the campaign I am currently playing my character is an Artificer. My party recently finished a very long section in an underground mine that spanned multiple days and many fights. When we finished its conclusion and it was time to head back, we had left loot piles in various sections of the mine. On our way out we then decided what we could carry with us from each stash. My Artificer does not like to be encumbered by large heavy objects so he usually leaves the bulkier stuff behind, but I did strap a Hide Shield and a Greatsword to my Steel Defender's back to carry for me, as I wanted something to sell or break down into materials. With it's (14)Strength I think this is a practical request to your DM.
I forgot about the simple rule, since you mentioned the strength of it. An excellent point. It means the Steel Defender could carry 210 lbs and drag 420 lbs. (Naturally, it is not just weight but volume, so up to DM as well.) Thanks for reminding me!
"Your Strength score determines the amount of weight you can bear. The following terms define what you can lift or carry.
Carrying Capacity. Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 15. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry, which is high enough that most characters don't usually have to worry about it.
Push, Drag, or Lift. You can push, drag, or lift a weight in pounds up to twice your carrying capacity (or 30 times your Strength score). While pushing or dragging weight in excess of your carrying capacity, your speed drops to 5 feet.
Size and Strength. Larger creatures can bear more weight, whereas Tiny creatures can carry less. For each size category above Medium, double the creature's carrying capacity and the amount it can push, drag, or lift. For a Tiny creature, halve these weights."
For simplicity, I have determined that the SD acts like a pack mule in terms of load capacity etc. I gave my Artefiecer a mule to display the SD in the inventory
My Artificer found 20 Large ancient tomes, worth about 100GP each. I devised a realistic plan to carry them. It was clear they were not light but the DM did not have time to spend on my series of questions. (I agreed, but my character hung back focused on the books while the rest of the party tried to figure out a trap. Something my character would absolutely do.) If the books were around 5 lbs each or more. Naturally, simple math-100lbs + of books. I could not carry that many, and it is an ongoing joke that my character has tried to convince the party to give me money to replicate a bag of holding and they refuse. We are all criminals in Eberron. Although it does not say in the rules I need anything at all to replicate it. I went with the DM's decision.
So I took the blankets off from some beds and I have a pole of collapsing. I made a Milkmaids Yoke. (the bags hanging from the pole.) DM liked the idea but I still can not handle the weight. I had to ask a stronger PC to carry them. Would any of you as a DM allow your player to tie the books to his Steel Defender. I would assume I could not use him to perform any other actions. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
In the campaign I am currently playing my character is an Artificer. My party recently finished a very long section in an underground mine that spanned multiple days and many fights. When we finished its conclusion and it was time to head back, we had left loot piles in various sections of the mine. On our way out we then decided what we could carry with us from each stash. My Artificer does not like to be encumbered by large heavy objects so he usually leaves the bulkier stuff behind, but I did strap a Hide Shield and a Greatsword to my Steel Defender's back to carry for me, as I wanted something to sell or break down into materials. With it's (14)Strength I think this is a practical request to your DM.
I don't see any reason that a Steel Defender couldn't be used as transportation for gear or loot.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I got my DM to alow me to use my SD as a mount. I use its movement as my own, and its bonus action first, then my own action. It's an absolute blast.
I forgot about the simple rule, since you mentioned the strength of it. An excellent point. It means the Steel Defender could carry 210 lbs and drag 420 lbs. (Naturally, it is not just weight but volume, so up to DM as well.) Thanks for reminding me!
"Your Strength score determines the amount of weight you can bear. The following terms define what you can lift or carry.
Carrying Capacity. Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 15. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry, which is high enough that most characters don't usually have to worry about it.
Push, Drag, or Lift. You can push, drag, or lift a weight in pounds up to twice your carrying capacity (or 30 times your Strength score). While pushing or dragging weight in excess of your carrying capacity, your speed drops to 5 feet.
Size and Strength. Larger creatures can bear more weight, whereas Tiny creatures can carry less. For each size category above Medium, double the creature's carrying capacity and the amount it can push, drag, or lift. For a Tiny creature, halve these weights."
For simplicity, I have determined that the SD acts like a pack mule in terms of load capacity etc. I gave my Artefiecer a mule to display the SD in the inventory
See, this is why I made my Steel Defender into a walking treasure chest... much easier to have it carry stuff for you when it's got a lid.
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