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Brynweir
Senior Scribe
USA
436 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Dec 2007 : 05:42:37
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I really did search, but I couldn't find an answer so....
I read in Homeland, I think, maybe Exile, about a broken wand exploding with quite a destructive force. What I am wondering is if it is possible in 3x and if so, what's the logistics?
I mean, what kind of wand?
How big an explosion? etc?
Hope this makes sense - it's very late here.
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Anyone who likes to read something that's really dark and gritty and completely awesome ought to read The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. You can check out a little taste at www.BrentWeeks.com I should probably warn you, though, that it is definitely not PG-13 :-D
He also started a new Trilogy with Black Prism, which may even surpass the Night Angel Trilogy in its awesomeness. 
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riot the outsider
Learned Scribe
USA
121 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2007 : 06:10:01
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| I don't remember any wands exploding, even though there were wizards in both books. Do you remember what chapter you read about the wand in. |
Those who fear the darkness have never seen what the light can do. http://s13.gladiatus.com/game/c.php?uid=67846
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Brynweir
Senior Scribe
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2007 : 06:40:31
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| The scene where Drizzt is attacked by Masoj - who tries to get Gwen to kill Drizzt - and the guy from the house that Malice wiped out. |
Anyone who likes to read something that's really dark and gritty and completely awesome ought to read The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. You can check out a little taste at www.BrentWeeks.com I should probably warn you, though, that it is definitely not PG-13 :-D
He also started a new Trilogy with Black Prism, which may even surpass the Night Angel Trilogy in its awesomeness.
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2007 : 10:48:17
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| All I can think of from the top of my head is that certain very powerful staffs explode if purposefully broken - so called retributive strike. However, only specific itmes, such as the Staff of the Magi or the Staff of Power, are capable of such a retributive strike. I don't recall a similar option for wands... |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2007 : 11:14:50
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It makes a certain amount of sense... To wing a rule, I'd say a 10% chance of exploding per level of the spell in the wand (10% for a wand of magic missiles, 30% for a wand of fireballs, etc). The explosion would be a d4 or d6 for every remaining charge.
Alternatively, destruction of the wand could result in all the charges releasing at once -- the spell being cast one time for every charge, with random targets. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2007 : 11:27:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
It makes a certain amount of sense... To wing a rule, I'd say a 10% chance of exploding per level of the spell in the wand (10% for a wand of magic missiles, 30% for a wand of fireballs, etc). The explosion would be a d4 or d6 for every remaining charge.
Alternatively, destruction of the wand could result in all the charges releasing at once -- the spell being cast one time for every charge, with random targets.
I think I'd go with d4s, and make the damage force or sheer arcane, Otherwise, while its not reliable, you could have PCs making themselves immune to, say, fire, and snapping a wand on purpose. While I'm not entirely opposed to crazy tactics, the fact that this isn't a common tactic that's ever been mentioned makes me less likely to follow that option through.
On the other hand, this sort of thing would make sundering a wand a much less attractive option and something you only did if you were desperate. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2007 : 12:34:16
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| You could also turn down, or randomly vary the percentage chance of going BOOM, if you want to make it more random. But even at 10% per level of spell, how many wands would have more than a 50% chance of exploding? |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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AndrewD2
Acolyte
2 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2007 : 14:58:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
You could also turn down, or randomly vary the percentage chance of going BOOM, if you want to make it more random. But even at 10% per level of spell, how many wands would have more than a 50% chance of exploding?
Honestly, I think it'd be 0% chance. I think wands can only hold up to 4th level spells which would mean it would max out at 40%. |
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Brynweir
Senior Scribe
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2007 : 19:48:49
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quote:
you could have PCs making themselves immune to, say, fire, and snapping a wand on purpose. While I'm not entirely opposed to crazy tactics, the fact that this isn't a common tactic that's ever been mentioned makes me less likely to follow that option through.
On the other hand, this sort of thing would make sundering a wand a much less attractive option and something you only did if you were desperate.
This is actually the scenario I had in mind  as the characters were extremely desperate. |
Anyone who likes to read something that's really dark and gritty and completely awesome ought to read The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. You can check out a little taste at www.BrentWeeks.com I should probably warn you, though, that it is definitely not PG-13 :-D
He also started a new Trilogy with Black Prism, which may even surpass the Night Angel Trilogy in its awesomeness.
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crazedventurers
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1073 Posts |
Posted - 28 Dec 2007 : 16:13:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
etc). The explosion would be a d4 or d6 for every remaining charge.
Alternatively, destruction of the wand could result in all the charges releasing at once -- the spell being cast one time for every charge, with random targets.
IMHO this is way to powerful - max charged wand of magic missile at 1st level does 50d4damage? - lets just grab the bad guy and snap the wand.......
what an excellent way to quickly kill someone you don't like and at such a small cost (about 400gp for a 1st level wand is it?).
This sounds like a very bad rule to me.
I think that if used as a one off 'strange magical occurrence/last ditch effort to beat an unbeatable foe' to move the story forward would be ok, but not as a matter of course within the game.
I would also limit it to certain itmes, the aforementioned Staff of Magi & Power and the wand of wonder (rod?) just for its sheer chaotic nature. I do think that if you are going to allow this then the item to blast has to have some worth, (otherwise it is a very cheap disintegrate spell).
Just my thoughts
Damian
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So saith Ed. I've never said he was sane, have I?
Gods, all this writing and he's running a constant fantasy version of Coronation Street in his head, too. .
shudder,
love to all,
THO
Candlekeep Forum 7 May 2005 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36876 Posts |
Posted - 28 Dec 2007 : 18:19:59
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quote:
Originally posted by crazedventurers
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
etc). The explosion would be a d4 or d6 for every remaining charge.
Alternatively, destruction of the wand could result in all the charges releasing at once -- the spell being cast one time for every charge, with random targets.
IMHO this is way to powerful - max charged wand of magic missile at 1st level does 50d4damage? - lets just grab the bad guy and snap the wand.......
what an excellent way to quickly kill someone you don't like and at such a small cost (about 400gp for a 1st level wand is it?).
This sounds like a very bad rule to me.
I think that if used as a one off 'strange magical occurrence/last ditch effort to beat an unbeatable foe' to move the story forward would be ok, but not as a matter of course within the game.
I would also limit it to certain itmes, the aforementioned Staff of Magi & Power and the wand of wonder (rod?) just for its sheer chaotic nature. I do think that if you are going to allow this then the item to blast has to have some worth, (otherwise it is a very cheap disintegrate spell).
Just my thoughts
Damian
Well, with my proposed rule, it would only have a 10% chance of working... And it would affect the person holding the wand, too.
Besides, how often do you have a fully-charged wand handy, anyway? |
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Wands
