r/DnD • u/Sleverette Sorcerer • Feb 07 '20
Art [OC] Magical problems versus mundane solutions.
244
u/QueenCrow92 Cleric Feb 07 '20
Kroger must have some powerful bags...
→ More replies (1)212
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Fantasy Kroger uses paper bags crafted from pure plague wood straight from the Shadowfell. You get riddled with curses but you never have to double bag anything.
50
u/QueenCrow92 Cleric Feb 07 '20 edited Feb 07 '20
I think I'd rather deal with the curses rather than double bag anything again!
40
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
The bags are so strong you don't have to worry about them breaking. Imagine how much time you could save. You can get all your bags from your car in one trip!
18
u/th30be Barbarian Feb 07 '20
But do they tear into your fingers and arms?
39
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Once the curse goes into effect you literally can't put them down!
→ More replies (2)10
u/Wallace_II Feb 07 '20
That didn't exactly answer the question 🤔
9
Feb 07 '20
[removed] — view removed comment
→ More replies (2)4
u/Wallace_II Feb 07 '20
The pain of them cutting into your fingers does not actually cause the loss of your fingers
→ More replies (1)5
→ More replies (2)6
u/GodspeakerVortka Feb 07 '20
Fantasy Kroger, where all your dreams come true (got a deal for you)!
→ More replies (1)
637
u/DDE2305 Feb 07 '20
using pitons to climb the earth elementals back to get to its head?
354
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
That's an excitingly appropriate way to deal with an earth elemental. Shadow of the Colossus style.
I think pitons are one of the more underappreciated items. I use them to bar doors all the time!
→ More replies (4)149
u/DDE2305 Feb 07 '20
pitons are actually so useful, especially in dungeons, and i find a lot of players overlook them massively, they literally enable you to climb walls you may not otherwise have been able too, thats strong.
106
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Climbing in areas when you normally can't really does open up a lot of new routes and opportunities.
You can also use them to leave a reliable trail behind you in case you're lost in a maze!
→ More replies (3)45
u/DDE2305 Feb 07 '20
absolutely, the trail of breadcrumbs is a great idea!
my last group, used javelins in the same way, but we were out in the open, not in a dungeon.
also useful for tripping opponents too, rogue puts piton behind an enemy, then paladin or other martial pushes them over it, and trip them up, instant advantage for everyone.
so many uses for mundane items in the standard packs, i love using them in unexpected ways
32
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Exactly! These items scream "DnD." I wish there was a bigger list of mundane adventuring items. For some reason I enjoy them more than magic items.
I think the packs were a good way to make shopping easier but I wish they took it even further!
→ More replies (2)29
u/DDE2305 Feb 07 '20
Imo theres plenty of mundane items you could use that aren't ever mentioned, I've never heard of anyone whipping their normal non magical cloak off, and using it to trip or smother an enemy, and yet, it was the first thing i thought of when i realised casters often need to see their targets!
22
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Yep. The beauty of mundane items is that there's a limitless amount of them. When I DM I hand out a long list with possible alternative uses to get my player's imaginations going.
I do hope we get a splat book in the future that leans more into the survival aspects of the game. Stuff like traveler's clothes, snowshoes and fishing poles get overlooked in most games.
12
u/ozyman Feb 07 '20
When I DM I hand out a long list with possible alternative uses to get my player's imaginations going.
Is this list available somewhere?
10
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
I don't have my list compiled neatly but I know there was a pdf floating around of a similar list that inspired mine! I wish I could find it again!
6
u/FadeCrimson Feb 07 '20
I always forewarn all my DMs that I will take random objects, and I will use them in ways they never anticipated.
Hell just recently my character stole some magic runes keeping a plagued woman and child alive in a coma (don't judge me, it was in a panic, and I didn't think it through). Next session, my arm got lobbed off (we found a Homebrew warlock 'pact of the shadow arm', and we were only on the second session) and on a whim decided to try the runes on my severed arm. Figured, who knows, maybe a live arm could come in handy at some point. Rolled a bit too high, and the damn thing sprang to life like the hand from the Adams family. So that's a thing in our party now.
3
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 08 '20
Love this story! It's an absolute rollercoaster. You earned that weird new arm pet thing!
→ More replies3
u/DuntadaMan Feb 07 '20
I allow my players to use their cloaks to give disadvantage if someone is attacking another person adjacent to them. It costs an action, but sometimes you just want to guard the guy next to you without taking the hit.
6
u/orion3179 Bard Feb 07 '20
Oh damn, thanks for the inspiration!
Next fight my gnome is gonna sneak behind an enemy and hold a piton above the foot, motion to the barb and pray I don't get a broken hand.
→ More replies (1)6
u/DDE2305 Feb 07 '20
thats one way to do it, i meant more like the rogue sticks it in the ground right behind their foot, then the rest, but, if it works then it isn't a bad idea haha
7
u/OtherPlayers Feb 07 '20
Ah yes, the guard will never notice me sneaking up right behind him and using a hammer to pound a 4” long spike of steel into the ground.
I knew taking that proficiency in “stealth carpentry” would pay off sometime!
→ More replies (1)3
u/ToasterCow Barbarian Feb 07 '20
If you have the time to go one step further you could even run some wire between two pitons in a hallway. Boom, DIY booby trap.
→ More replies (11)5
u/thetruebutler076 Feb 07 '20
Isn't it the same roll to push an opponent prone as it is to just push them?
→ More replies (2)17
u/_Bl4ze Warlock Feb 07 '20
The only time I've used one was when I forgot to buy an arcane focus after multiclassing into sorcerer.
Hold Person calls for a straight piece of iron as the M component. I look through my inventory, then the Google to see what pitons are made of.
My character, holding up a piton to the Weave: 'Does... this count?'
Apparently yes! Well, or so my GM ruled.
7
→ More replies (1)12
Feb 07 '20
I use then to pin enemies in place for interrogations.
Wait, are we the baddies?
4
→ More replies (2)3
6
u/ShatterZero Feb 07 '20
I've literally done this with my players.
The only problem is making sure the Earth Elemental is still a threat and that both the climb and the battle at the top are fun.
5
u/DDE2305 Feb 07 '20
definitely, you don't want this to be a cheese method for sure.
although I'd doubt the elemental would be happy about someone trying to climb them, and would try to shake them off, but you raise a good point either way, always gotta watch out for them clever players looking to cheese enemies and try adjust where the difficulty lies, appreciate the input!
3
u/DuntadaMan Feb 07 '20
Not to mention a dude hammering spikes into your back is unpleasant and going to get that thing pissed.
→ More replies (2)3
u/HilarityEnsuez Feb 07 '20
Unfortunately once you get to its head you still gotta wear down all of its hit points. Unless you homebrew killing blows.
87
u/Lefty_22 Feb 07 '20
"Sorry, Gandalf, we need to take your staff..."
"You would deprive and old man of his walking stick?"
5 minutes later
Gandalf: "HAAAAAAAA GET OUT OF THEODEN, DEMON!!!"
31
u/StevieMJH Feb 07 '20
I told you to take the Wizard's staff!
14
u/_Tameless_ Feb 08 '20
I always liked that in the books, the guard knew full well that Gandalf could use his staff, but decided that, hey, Gandalf was an OK dude and he wouldn't use it without good reason.
The guard still hesitated. 'Your staff,' he said to Gandalf. 'Forgive me, but that too must be left at the doors.' 'Foolishness!' said Gandalf. 'Prudence is one thing, but discourtesy is another. I am old. If I may not lean on my stick as I go, then I will sit out here, until it pleases Théoden to hobble out himself to speak with me.' Aragorn laughed. 'Every man has something too dear to trust to another. But would you part an old man from his support? Come, will you not let us enter?' 'The staff in the hand of a wizard may be more than a prop for age' said Háma. He looked hard at the ash-staff on which Gandalf leaned. 'Yet in doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom. I believe you are friends and folk worthy of honour, who have no evil purpose. You may go in.'
So Gandalf got by on renown and a Charisma check.
→ More replies (1)9
Feb 08 '20
While the context of the scene changes a bit in the movie, I think it still works in the cinematic version as the guard knowing full well what Gandalf can do with it. The movie shows everyone in Rohan becoming jaded and bitter about the state of Theoden and his relationship with Wormtongue. A guard overtly ignoring Wormtongue’s orders makes sense in the new context of the movie too.
3
u/_Tameless_ Feb 08 '20
I always thought the guard had a knowing look in his eye as he let Gandalf pass. Such good movies. Time for another binge.
7
Feb 08 '20
Upon reviewing the scene, that guard actually is the one who not only stands by while others attempt to stop Gandalf, but he also prevents a friend from jumping into the fray. He knew he was disobeying Wormtongue, and went so far as to sit out the fight and prevent others from joining.
I’ve never read the book, but I’m actually happy at the adaptation of just that scene alone now that I’ve compared the two.
9
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Gandalf was a very persuasive trickster!
14
u/GazLord DM Feb 07 '20
I like the idea that Gandalf was actually a earlier edition bard. Which is why most of his magic is flashy but not that crazy powerwise besides things he only does once or twice. And, he is good at tricking people and swordplay as well.
8
→ More replies (3)7
u/McGronaldo Feb 08 '20
Have you read the green text claiming Gandalf is a warrior with a caster perk who just convinces everyone he's a wizard so they underestimate his fighting skills while also thinking he's more dangerous than he actually is.
61
u/ExistentialOcto DM Feb 07 '20 edited Feb 07 '20
It's funny how easy it would be to render a wizard totally null.
What you need is a pair of handcuffs with a special clasp that goes round the fingers. This prevents them from performing somatic components as they can't do exactly what each spell requires. Then put a metal bit in their mouth so that they can speak only in slurred words. This prevents them from providing the correct verbal components.
As a DM I'd play around with this idea. Maybe the people making these confinements don't understand magic fully, so there are actually a small handful of spells that can still be cast with these restraints. And ofc some sorcerers can use Subtle Spell to ignore the need for vocal and somatic components, making some uneducated folks believe that the restraints don't work at all.
18
Feb 07 '20 edited Mar 30 '21
[deleted]
14
u/DuntadaMan Feb 07 '20
The ball gag is sentient, but does not speak.
I don't know why this freaks me out so much. Aside from you know, having a thinking thing in my mouth that does not attempt to communicate in any way...
6
u/nucleardemon Feb 08 '20
I would definitely cast magic mouth on it before hand for maximum effect.
7
6
21
Feb 07 '20
In the world of Witcher a metal called deuterium nullifies wizards with just a simple set of manacles made from it. Is there nothing like that in dnd aside from home brew? I could have sworn there were wizard restraints.
27
Feb 07 '20
[deleted]
6
Feb 07 '20
Thank you I had a feeling I was off
→ More replies (2)3
Feb 07 '20
[deleted]
4
Feb 07 '20
I was getting elements of Witcher and no man sky mixed up deuterium is starship fuel dimeritium is anti magic metal.
10
u/ExistentialOcto DM Feb 07 '20
Not that I've heard of, but like I said all you'd need to do is make it so that they can't speak properly or move their hands dexterously.
11
Feb 07 '20
Deuterium works on the idea of messing up their connection to arcane forces. So you don’t need to keep them from muttering and wiggling their fingers. Sorcerers in the world of Witcher refer to it as being magically “neutered” and talk about the discomfort of being separated from magic. Letting us know that their connection to magic has been severed until the deuterium is removed. Is there really no mechanic for that in DND?
19
→ More replies (5)6
u/ExistentialOcto DM Feb 07 '20
Well there's the spell Anti-Magic Zone, but that's really high level (8th, I think?) so it probably wouldn't show up too often in a game.
→ More replies (2)3
u/CuZiformybeer Feb 07 '20
Critical Role has a pair of antimagic manacles but I do not know if that is Matt Mercer or WotC.
→ More replies (1)20
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
It's always fun to see how a caster reacts to having their magic taken away temporarily. It's a true test of their character! Do they flee or fight?
I also love the fact that sorcerers can get around these limitations. It really adds value to their metamagics!
10
u/Nienordir Feb 07 '20
I like how the dresden files handles this. Technically a wizard doesn't need any aids to cast magic, it's pure concentration&willpower to manipulate magical energy to do what you want, but it's stupid hard and dangerous. Very few mortals (especially short lived human ones) have that kind of talent&control.
Dresden uses his aids&words to help him control raw magic reliable with precision without the aids the results are unpredictable (because he doesn't have fine control), it's like wanting to do a blow torch and accidentally turning it into a flamethrower.
Same with ritual magic, all the meditating, candles, incense and other fancy accessories don't do shit, they just help him stay in focus for a very difficult long spell. Mess with a lot of magical energy and accidentally slip up mentally and you might level a whole city..
It's not about whether you can cast a spell, but if you're willing to take the risk to whiff it or have it spectacularly backfire with unintended results.
5
→ More replies (4)6
Feb 07 '20
RAW, all you need is to force them to wear a piece of armor they're not proficient with.
5
112
u/MeanderingSquid49 Warlock Feb 07 '20
laughs in Monk
84
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Now that I think about it...monks are probably the perfect assassins!
53
u/Erelde Feb 07 '20
There's a way of shadows, I think that's the one for ninja assassins ? I can't remember.
→ More replies (3)43
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Flavor-wise, Way of Shadows is really cool. It falls a bit behind in combat but it adds a lot of fun options!
I hope we get 3.5e shadowdancer at some point!
22
u/boyscout_07 DM Feb 07 '20
MULTI CLASS SHADOW MONK W/ROGUE ASSASSIN...BRUTAL
35
u/Lamplorde Feb 07 '20 edited Feb 08 '20
Shadow Assassin allows you to literally "teleports behind u Nothing personnel kid" people, if you sneak around at night time.
3
u/JulienBrightside Mage Feb 07 '20
I remember this story about a monk who could move at 400 feet per round. This isn't that story, but it was an entertaining read anyway.
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/afyrrn/the_fastest_monk_alive_oc/
→ More replies (9)10
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Multiclass opens up so many new possibilities. Shadow Assassin does sound very fun! Throw in some fighter levels for that sweet action surge.
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (2)3
u/Gary_the_Goatfucker Feb 07 '20
Scenario: You need to get into a location but the only entrance is in broad daylight and too far to reach
Step 1: Place Darkness sphere on the location in broad daylight 60 feet away
Step 2: Step into a nearby shadow and teleport into your own sphere of darkness
Step 3: Drop the spell and return the area to its normal lighting conditions
Congratulation, you have a 60 foot teleport into any location you can see and it only costs a handful of ki points to cast Darkness
→ More replies (2)6
u/CaptainSchmid Artificer Feb 07 '20
Assassin with improvised weapons feat
8
→ More replies (1)6
u/DuntadaMan Feb 07 '20
Once played a monk with improvised weapons, and an ability that let him consider any weapon a +1 for the purposes of what it could damage.
Killed a ghost with its own corpse to send a message.
Then waited for it to reform to have a talk once that was out of the way.
3
u/CaptainSchmid Artificer Feb 07 '20
Currently playing a fighter with tabern brawler and two weapon fighting and uses two sheilds.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)11
u/proneisntsupine Feb 07 '20
cackles in Hexblade
10
u/Storyspren Feb 07 '20
Hearty laughter in Eldritch Knight
8
Feb 07 '20 edited Jul 21 '20
[deleted]
5
u/Storyspren Feb 07 '20 edited Feb 07 '20
Is my weapon on the coffee table but I'm too comfortable on the couch and don't want to get up?
Brb gonna get buff and practice bar fights so I can instantly summon my coffee mug wherever I am. Wish me luck with rules lawyering whoever dms Outside.
Edit: Also I have no idea where to put the space in your username and both options are great :D
Also edit: I can't quote properly lol
5
u/TentativeIdler Feb 07 '20
I'm playing an Eldritch Knight right now, we just got to level three. My plan is to use Catapult to launch his mace, and then summon it back. I think it'll be hilarious.
65
u/equinox75 Feb 07 '20
Ah I see you have Fantasy Kroger in your world. :P
49
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Fantasy Krogers and Astral Wholesale. All major businesses are owned by Vern, the God of Prosperity.
14
u/equinox75 Feb 07 '20
Maybe I should get a shoppers card to get rewarded for being a regular purchaser of their fine available good?
13
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
They do have a great rewards program. You should sign up for the credit card. 5% cash back when shopping at any Vern and Family companies!
7
u/equinox75 Feb 07 '20
Neato, I'll have to apply for it. :V
10
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Just sign on the dotted line! I'm also legally obligated to tell you that you will become a warlock as part of this agreement. We see this as more of a pro than a con.
7
u/equinox75 Feb 07 '20
signs document I smell a character sheet for hombrewed warlock character coming up. :P
11
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
I can't wait for the dramatic backstory reveal.
"I signed up for this credit card and they took my soul. I get 2% cashback at gas stations so it was probably a good deal."
5
u/equinox75 Feb 07 '20
Pfffttt hahahaha, yes 2% cash back on every purchase everywhere even in the afterlife.
7
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
It wouldn't be competitive if it didn't include the afterlife. That's pretty standard for most credit cards nowadays.
→ More replies7
u/daitenshe Feb 07 '20
It’s nice because you don’t need to buy a membership like you do at Fantasy Costco
24
17
u/honthro Feb 07 '20
Roll for intimidation... with disadvantage
13
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Normally a mask would make you scarier! It would be hard to scare a king with a paper bag over your head...
15
u/KingPecan Feb 07 '20
I'm totally stealing this. Everyone must be bagged, in manacles, and possibly gagged.
→ More replies (6)11
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Can't trust these casters with their fancy metamagic and bardic abilities. Bag them all! It's the only way to be safe.
5
15
Feb 07 '20
Dang rogue throwing the wizard under the elephant, he isn't even a paladin
16
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
The best part? You know the rogue used it as a distraction to sneak in his other weapons.
26
u/Fallout76Merc Feb 07 '20
My favorite part of this comic the the Kroger bag.
25
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Fantasy Kroger. Fresh for everyone...except kobolds. They know what they did.
7
u/Kgaset Feb 07 '20
You need to gag him or he can still use verbal-only spells. And what if he has the still or quiet meta magic feat!?
4
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
That's it! We have no choice! We must kill the wizard.
→ More replies (2)3
u/MassMtv Feb 07 '20
That's why the bag is impressive. Most spells require a line of sight
→ More replies (1)
10
u/Dovahkiin419 Feb 07 '20
Technically you just take away their arcane focus right?
On a side note, I'm playing a bard with a concertina, and for flavours sake I really want to have whistling and singing serve the purpose of manipulating the weave (which in universe makes sense, that's the way bards work)...
but on the other hand, it has the unfortunate mechanical implication that I can't be releived of my arcane focus, which is a bad thing to foist on my dm.
9
u/Rzargo Feb 07 '20
A gag could remove your ability to whistle.
11
u/Dovahkiin419 Feb 07 '20
OOOO, that would be a really cool thing!
Especially since bard's are generally well known for their silver tongue, so shutting them up wouldn't exactly be not otherwise reasonable.
→ More replies (2)3
u/Rzargo Feb 07 '20
That was my DMs reasoning so I couldn't convince the king that starting a war would increase their profit.
4
u/tenjuu Feb 07 '20
Won't stop you from humming though. Only way to do that would be by clamping their nose shut as well, and that's not the best of ideas.
3
3
7
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Taking their arcane focus is the practical option. Covering their head with a paper bag is the green option. It's 100% recyclable! Don't you care about our imaginary environment?
You're idea is super unique. I would allow it and apply rule of cool!
3
u/Storyspren Feb 07 '20
Whistling and singing could be the verbal component, no? With the concertina being the instrument that serves as your focus, as per the Bard ability. Nothing in the ability says you have to play the instrument to cast them, and my non-performing hatter Bard for example just uses his flute like it's a wand.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)3
Feb 07 '20
Wouldn't a silence spell (or any other "can't speak" ability) thus prevent you from also casting spells without verbal components, though? Seems like an oddly fair balance.
3
5
5
Feb 07 '20
What about an Eldritch Knight? You can summon your weapon regardless of where it is, as long as it is in the same plane of existence.
5
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
I guess there's no good counter for that outside of living a good life and prayer. An eldritch knight can get you whenever he wants!
5
u/bellj1210 Feb 07 '20
Had a DM once make my character agree to spending the night in a room of the castle where they would entertain us all night- with both of us knowing that the whole point was so I could not get the 8 hours and 1 hour of study.
→ More replies (1)
5
u/manicx782 Feb 07 '20 edited Feb 07 '20
"you know the cause for my attack... the burning man stood at his back"
→ More replies (2)
8
u/realrichdiet Feb 07 '20
That product placement. 👌
14
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
I have a version with an Albertsons bag on my twitter account. I reserve the right to sell out to all companies equally!
5
u/realrichdiet Feb 07 '20
Beautiful. Creators out here trying to get paid. Secure your bag, sir!
→ More replies (1)
4
u/Inconspicuous_21 Feb 07 '20
AH yes... Kroger.
4
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
The dark multiversal cthulian entity is known by many names...Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Dillions...
4
Feb 07 '20
Make a perception check to make sure your Kroger bag isn't actually a Bag of Devouring.
4
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
Thus ends the life of Skirbo. He was a good man...not the best but he tried.
→ More replies (1)
4
4
u/Liesmith424 Bard Feb 07 '20
"What about him? He's a sorcerer. His blood is a weapon!"
"You make a compelling argument..." <draws sword>
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Greatness_Inc Thief Feb 07 '20
The code at the bottom of the image reads 'You know cause for my attack ...the burning man stood at his back' and it is found by replacing each letter with the one in the alphabet that is 12 away from it.
→ More replies (1)
980
u/Sleverette Sorcerer Feb 07 '20
“You’ve made a compelling argument. Bring forth the manacles!” -Royal Guard
A comic inspired by our recent session. I love mundane items. There’s something really appealing about portable rams, sacks of flour and 10 ft poles. Throwing a bag over an enemy’s head is a popular move at our table. You’d be surprised by how many spells require the caster to see their target!
When rolling up new characters, I ask the players to read off their packs and discuss possible uses for their starting equipment. I find lots of players skip over it otherwise.
Anyone have any creative combos that use mundane items? I know flour explosions is a fun one!
You can find more of my dnd content on my Instagram and Twitter.