I'm about to start a Castelvania one-off with my group to give our current DM a bit of a break. It's been awhile since I've DM'd and I have a question concerning one of my characters.
They will be level 12 and one of my characters wants to be a bard/paladin multiclass. His RP for the character makes it to where he always has a stock of 40 level 1 spell scrolls. 10 of each the spells shield, searing, thunderous, and wrathful smite. I eventually said that I would not allow him to carry more than 10 scrolls at a time because of the nature of carrying 40 of anything would be pretty cumbersome, and he argued that the spell scrolls could be fortune cookie size that he has applied to the inside of his shield.
I understand that as the DM I have control over the situation, and I didn't budge on the no more than 10 rule, but am I being unagreeable? Thank you for the advice.
I'm about to start a Castelvania one-off with my group to give our current DM a bit of a break. It's been awhile since I've DM'd and I have a question concerning one of my characters.
They will be level 12 and one of my characters wants to be a bard/paladin multiclass. His RP for the character makes it to where he always has a stock of 40 level 1 spell scrolls. 10 of each the spells shield, searing, thunderous, and wrathful smite. I eventually said that I would not allow him to carry more than 10 scrolls at a time because of the nature of carrying 40 of anything would be pretty cumbersome, and he argued that the spell scrolls could be fortune cookie size that he has applied to the inside of his shield.
I understand that as the DM I have control over the situation, and I didn't budge on the no more than 10 rule, but am I being unagreeable? Thank you for the advice.
If it's intended to be a goofy one-shot, where scrolls on Post-its stuck to the inside of a shield would fit right in with the other characters, I probably would have said yes. Of course, I also probably would have completely ruined his clever plan by having him lose the shield (have an NPC steal it, wandering rust monster, whatever), forcing him to stuff all the scrolls in a pouch and then making it a random draw to pull one out.
I'm also really curious as to how that kind of powergaming is justified through "RP".
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Yeah, that just sounds like power gaming. You’re being *very* generous to allow any scrolls at all, especially scrolls taped to a shield. I’d take it back if I were you: either the other players will get upset that this guy gets free stuff, or you’ll have to give them free stuff as well, and the game becomes one giant balancing act. Don’t let players take advantage of you.
This thread does remind me of a very minor little rules thing that bugs me -- being able to cast reaction spells from scrolls.
Like, you've got to pull the scroll out and read it. The arrow should already be in your shoulder before you even get that shield spell off trying to cast it from a scroll.
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
His RP for the character makes it to where he always has a stock of 40 level 1 spell scrolls
Um, having a bunch of useful spell scrolls has zero to do with roleplay. That would be like me saying, "For RP purposes, I never take any damage." As someone said above, this is powergaming not RP.
I agree we'd need to know what everyone else has, but... "Always has a stock of 40 scrolls" sounds like they are regenerating after he uses them. This is not reasonable or realistic, and certainly not RP.
For RP purposes would be RPing that, whenever he uses a spell slot, he is reading stuff off of a scroll from his infinite supply of them. That would be RP. Having the actual scrolls to use, so he doesn't have to expend spell slots, and having an unlimited supply of them, is not RP. It is not even powergaming. It's cheating, at least as far as the rules are concerned.
I suggest this: Give the level 12s the recommended amount of starting gold from the rules (there is an amount, I'm sure someone can quote it here... I'm not going to look it up right now). Let's say it's 100 gp x level (don't use that number -- look it up -- it's just an example). That would be 1,200 gp. Let them buy anything they want, including magic items, for 1,200 gp. Once the gold stash is used up, that's it. Spell scrolls are going to cost a fixed amount. If he wants to spend all 1,200 of his GP on spell scrolls, that's great. He can enjoy his cloth armor and his "sharp stick" melee weapon, and the fact that he has no other gear, including food, backpack, bedroll, torches, etc. If he wants to spend some of his GP on those other things, then I guess he's not buying a bunch of spell scrolls.
Either way... "I want to have 40 spell scrolls" is not RP. It's beyond powergaming.
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WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Then that's the answer for your friend with the post-it notes on the back of the shield. 1 rare, 1 uncommon or 3 uncommon - maximum 3 scrolls.
I'll also dogpile the vote for scroll use is not a reaction, unless there's a feat, or class feature that explicitly allows it. I can't think of one. Also, has this player tried this sort of shenanigans with your other DM?
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“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
I've been told he has on occasion tried to do some things like this. Playing with him it seems like he tries to min/max a little bit, but it hasn't got to the point where it was belligerent or unfun since I've been with the group. I held my ground on the no more than 10 scrolls thing, and I said he couldn't have more than 3 of the same kind. I'll also utilize the no reaction rule because that makes sense to me. Thanks for the advice everyone!
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I'm about to start a Castelvania one-off with my group to give our current DM a bit of a break. It's been awhile since I've DM'd and I have a question concerning one of my characters.
They will be level 12 and one of my characters wants to be a bard/paladin multiclass. His RP for the character makes it to where he always has a stock of 40 level 1 spell scrolls. 10 of each the spells shield, searing, thunderous, and wrathful smite. I eventually said that I would not allow him to carry more than 10 scrolls at a time because of the nature of carrying 40 of anything would be pretty cumbersome, and he argued that the spell scrolls could be fortune cookie size that he has applied to the inside of his shield.
I understand that as the DM I have control over the situation, and I didn't budge on the no more than 10 rule, but am I being unagreeable? Thank you for the advice.
If it's intended to be a goofy one-shot, where scrolls on Post-its stuck to the inside of a shield would fit right in with the other characters, I probably would have said yes. Of course, I also probably would have completely ruined his clever plan by having him lose the shield (have an NPC steal it, wandering rust monster, whatever), forcing him to stuff all the scrolls in a pouch and then making it a random draw to pull one out.
I'm also really curious as to how that kind of powergaming is justified through "RP".
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Yeah, that just sounds like power gaming. You’re being *very* generous to allow any scrolls at all, especially scrolls taped to a shield. I’d take it back if I were you: either the other players will get upset that this guy gets free stuff, or you’ll have to give them free stuff as well, and the game becomes one giant balancing act. Don’t let players take advantage of you.
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
This thread does remind me of a very minor little rules thing that bugs me -- being able to cast reaction spells from scrolls.
Like, you've got to pull the scroll out and read it. The arrow should already be in your shoulder before you even get that shield spell off trying to cast it from a scroll.
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Um, having a bunch of useful spell scrolls has zero to do with roleplay. That would be like me saying, "For RP purposes, I never take any damage." As someone said above, this is powergaming not RP.
I agree we'd need to know what everyone else has, but... "Always has a stock of 40 scrolls" sounds like they are regenerating after he uses them. This is not reasonable or realistic, and certainly not RP.
For RP purposes would be RPing that, whenever he uses a spell slot, he is reading stuff off of a scroll from his infinite supply of them. That would be RP. Having the actual scrolls to use, so he doesn't have to expend spell slots, and having an unlimited supply of them, is not RP. It is not even powergaming. It's cheating, at least as far as the rules are concerned.
I suggest this: Give the level 12s the recommended amount of starting gold from the rules (there is an amount, I'm sure someone can quote it here... I'm not going to look it up right now). Let's say it's 100 gp x level (don't use that number -- look it up -- it's just an example). That would be 1,200 gp. Let them buy anything they want, including magic items, for 1,200 gp. Once the gold stash is used up, that's it. Spell scrolls are going to cost a fixed amount. If he wants to spend all 1,200 of his GP on spell scrolls, that's great. He can enjoy his cloth armor and his "sharp stick" melee weapon, and the fact that he has no other gear, including food, backpack, bedroll, torches, etc. If he wants to spend some of his GP on those other things, then I guess he's not buying a bunch of spell scrolls.
Either way... "I want to have 40 spell scrolls" is not RP. It's beyond powergaming.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Yeah, but all 40 of them are scrolls for true strike.
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They get 1 rare and 1 uncommon magic item or 3 uncommon magic items.
Then that's the answer for your friend with the post-it notes on the back of the shield. 1 rare, 1 uncommon or 3 uncommon - maximum 3 scrolls.
I'll also dogpile the vote for scroll use is not a reaction, unless there's a feat, or class feature that explicitly allows it. I can't think of one. Also, has this player tried this sort of shenanigans with your other DM?
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
I've been told he has on occasion tried to do some things like this. Playing with him it seems like he tries to min/max a little bit, but it hasn't got to the point where it was belligerent or unfun since I've been with the group. I held my ground on the no more than 10 scrolls thing, and I said he couldn't have more than 3 of the same kind. I'll also utilize the no reaction rule because that makes sense to me. Thanks for the advice everyone!