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I haven't been able to get a copy of Dragons of Faerun yet. I'll remedy that. That is helpful! Someone told me once that it was just specific dragons by name known in Faerun, but I suppose you don't need 160 pages just for that.

That part is mostly just the appendix!

I saw a topic a while ago that got into the existence of a printing press. I'm not getting into that, but it made me think of technology in general and what levels its at in the current year. The spellplague doesn't hit Faerun until 1385 which devastates Lantan, but I guess my real question is, where off the sword coast does Amia sit, and how could/does/would Lantan fit into Amian history?

Lantan is, as far as I'm aware, an Island north of Chult that is inhabited mainly by gnomes and their society is very focused on technology. If Lantan does exist in the current Amian timeline, does it have any current influences in Amia?

Lantan exists, yes.

There's no real link that I'm aware of, though. It's a fair distance away. Lantan is a long ways to the south of Amia, which is a little ways past of Ruathym, there's a map in the Lore bit somewhere....

Just see the odd gnome with that background. There's a Lantanese gnome PC knocking around at the mo. But he's a filthy traitor. He uses that weird magic stuff them there foreign types like so much.

That might be why he's no longer in Lantan =P

Jes wrote:

I haven't been able to get a copy of Dragons of Faerun yet. I'll remedy that. That is helpful! Someone told me once that it was just specific dragons by name known in Faerun, but I suppose you don't need 160 pages just for that.

http://www.amiaworld.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=33929

Did a search of our own forums and that showed up. Not sure how relevant that is though to what you are up to.

Complete Divine and Monster Mythology also have entries for Bahamut. There are of course lots of similarities, but there are also some differences that could help shed a larger light on Bahamut and his faith. Check those out.

Alright so I was looking through the deities accepted on amia and noted there was several Demon Lords and Arch devils that could grant divine power. Now correct me if I have it wrong but the Demon lords and Arch Devils are treated as having divine rank on amia, all be it they control the divine power of their portion of hell and the abyss?

Now if I am correct on the above question, would that mean we could play a character who follows the orders of the Celestial Paragons. So rather then having a discipline of Mephistopheles, or Asmodeus, or Orcus thrall and Baphomet cultist; we could have members of the fists of Raziel, Defenders of Sealtiel, Lions of Talisid, or other organizations of the celestials (Not referring to these as prestige classes)?

Looking for information on components used in making magical items. Such as using nymph blood to increase the potency of a potion, ect. I know its in one of the books just can't seem to find which one it was in.

Book of Exalted Deeds, Book of Vile Darkness, Complete Arcane, Complete Mage...

Yeah, pretty much every book has odds and ends about components and magical items. I'd use them as inspiration more than anything definite, though.

Yea, still not finding exactly what I'm looking for. May just need to find out in game. Was hoping it would list or explain the items needed to craft magical rod, and staffs. Like animate dead rod having a bit of ground bone within the composition of the iron used in the shaft of the rod. Thanks anyways.

There's nothing to say that it doesn't. Which is why I said use it more for inspiration, than any particular rule.

Just like casting a spell, there are probably nigh infinite ways to craft a magical item, even of the same type. Thus, there are likely numerous different components you could add and use to get to the same result of whatever rod you're trying to fashion. Go about it in a way your PC would, and they'll likely find a way that suits them.

Charles1810 wrote:

Yea, still not finding exactly what I'm looking for. May just need to find out in game. Was hoping it would list or explain the items needed to craft magical rod, and staffs. Like animate dead rod having a bit of ground bone within the composition of the iron used in the shaft of the rod. Thanks anyways.

Something like what you're looking for is in the 3rd Edition version of Unearthed Arcana, pp. 139-151.

There are two books I can recommend: Spell Compendium, and Magic Items Compendium. Both are 3.5

I'm not entirely sure this would end up under lore, but here goes:

I have to questions -

1. Can Tieflings be paladins?

2. Can Paladins choose whatever deity they see fit, despite their race/origins/etc.

And, if I may ask, I would appreciate just an answer, not people insulting my intelligence and whatnot.

Only Gods that support Lawful Good (mostly LG, NG, LN Gods) can support Paladins, save for a few exceptions, like Sune and Selune.

I dunno about the whole Tiefer being able to be a Paladin thing though. Paladins are said to be called upon, they don't choose to be Paladins. So... I imagine it -might- be possible, but extremely, extremely, super duper rare.

Plays Handbook says:

Quote:

Among the savage humanoids, paladins are all but unheard of.

And Tieflings are most definitely among the people that would be considered "savage humanoids," in my book.

Soo, would I have to end up making a request for one?

It's not listed as something you have to make a request for, but I'm sure it's just one of those things that loremonkeys frown on because it flies in the face of what's normal for a race. Just like you don't have to make a request to play an aasimar blackguard, or a White Dragon Disciple paladin. These things don't require requests at the moment; they're just incredibly lame*.

*It's just an opinion on character concepts that are gimmicks or just plain wrong in the eyes of lore. Some people don't mind them, but others do. Just the way it is!

But isn't that the point? To break the boundaries of what's classified as "normal" for a race?

CratzBlade113 wrote:

But isn't that the point? To break the boundaries of what's classified as "normal" for a race?

No.

A server full of lore-breaking character concepts breaks immersion. A compelling character does not need to be one that flies in the face of lore. Some of the best I've seen are played firmly in the bounds of what is "normal" for their race, bloodline, etc.

And, a compelling character is the point, if you ask me.

Just my $0.02

I was ninja'd by Nivo. The point of different races is to play one as they are. Otherwise we might as well play humans.

Exactly. Having different races (and classes!) is supposed to guide us as players into exploring them and playing them as they should be played. There is already so much potential for diversity with what we're given that there's really no need to break the boundaries of what it means to be of a certain race. Going against the grain seems like an interesting and unique approach, but that's really not why the races are there. We aren't given tieflings and aasimars so we can just switch the two around on a whim.

Nivo wrote:

CratzBlade113 wrote:

But isn't that the point? To break the boundaries of what's classified as "normal" for a race?

No.

A server full of lore-breaking character concepts breaks immersion. A compelling character does not need to be one that flies in the face of lore. Some of the best I've seen are played firmly in the bounds of what is "normal" for their race, bloodline, etc.

And, a compelling character is the point, if you ask me.

Just my $0.02

I see your point. I guess it was kind of a silly question.

The only specific exception I can think of to a toon being a paladin despite their heritage being something most would assume the worst in would be a Half-Blue. But that case is highly specific and would be based on an event that may not even be recognized on Amia.

I can add to the discussion that I much rather would watch the rp of a traditionally played tiefling rather than one constantly trying to go against the stream since thats what interesting about tieflings. Its not really that interesting watching a tiefling paladin or good chromatics for that matter.

I'd like to agree with the last few comments, but for a slightly different reason: Playing against type is really, *really* hard to do well. It's incredibly easy to do badly, though. (I've done it badly myself, I confess.) It's so very easy to slip into bland stereotypes (the "oh woe is me" emo kid, the mouthy "damn the man!" scofflaw, etc.) that against-type characters reflexively sort of spark my skepticism. I still like to give myself a chance to RP a bit with them, in case I someday stumble across that genius RP'er who pulls it off beautifully. But I've so rarely encountered those people that I've at least made it my policy to avoid playing such characters myself.

DustSpray101 wrote:

The only specific exception I can think of to a toon being a paladin despite their heritage being something most would assume the worst in would be a Half-Blue. But that case is highly specific and would be based on an event that may not even be recognized on Amia.

I still really doubt the application of that particular example in anything even Forgotten Realms related!

Jes wrote:

DustSpray101 wrote:

The only specific exception I can think of to a toon being a paladin despite their heritage being something most would assume the worst in would be a Half-Blue. But that case is highly specific and would be based on an event that may not even be recognized on Amia.

I still really doubt the application of that particular example in anything even Forgotten Realms related!

Now I'm curious what you guys are talking about.

Even if it's not FR-able.

There is a single mention (Scroll down to "Silversheen") on the Wizards site of a flight of blue dragons turning away from Tiamat and embracing Bahamut. But that's the only mention and there's nothing that supports it in FR lore, or even marks that as happening in an FR-specific timeline. It's part of some creature competition, so part of me thinks it was just made up for this specific use.

...Added link and fixed typo. >.>

Actually, I just found the rules for that competition. It is just a bunch of made-up stuff submitted by DnD fans. So I wouldn't put any stock in it.

Didn't think it was accurate, though I was intrigued when I first read that and was a bit appalled. Though the more I thought about it, the more it sounded plausible. It doesn't say those Blues didn't start out as evil, it simply nodded to the acceptance/merciful attribute given to Bahamut and the concept behind what is morally just and ethical if someone fights their stars and makes the conscious effort to control their actions. I imagine it could very well have been like one of those stories I so enjoy where a champion of good and a champion of evil go at eachother with persuasive arguments, eventually swaying the other to join them. Besides, of all the Chromatics, Blues are arguably the most civilized in that they have a society all their own and are LE and nowhere in the lore does it say that dragons lack freedom of choice when it comes to their actions.

On Amia, from what I have witnessed, such a scenario concerning a Chromatic Dragon would most likely be impossible anyways, even if it were to be considered lore in core 3.5, as the alignment tendencies of Draconic heritage, here, tend to hold the heaviest influence in Draconic creatures with the exception of Kobolds.

As far as I know, the lore even in the sourcebooks dictates that the alignments of both good and evil dragons do not fluctuate at all. All blue dragons are LE, period. All red dragons are CE, period. I actually like it that way, personally. While it does sound intriguing for a blue dragon to switch sides, it just isn't at all plausible, because of the magic at work which ties all dragons to their gods (consider the Dragonfall War and the dracorages). The same goes for the Dragon Disciples. I wish there was some way to script the Dragon Disciple class to make you choose the dragon you want, and to put an alignment restriction on it. But maybe that's too hardcore. I'm real big on the RDD class and how it's RP'ed.

I'm actually fairly certain that it doesn't, no more than all Drow being born evil but having the capacity to be good, but I will double check.

Also, it all depends on how you wish to play a Dragon Disciple as a feat exists (in PnP anyways) that allows one to change their heritage. I believe it can be located in Races of the Dragon. My PDF reader is acting wonky atm, so I will need to edit this post later with the page numbers. Ah, my mistake, only applies to Draconic heritage-based sorcerers, which would still likely need to be settled upon before they were to pursue the Dragon Disciple class. Yay getting PDF reader to work again!

I think I'd like to get a DM ruling on the way that dragon blood works with RDDs and with dragons alike, then. In the interest of playing it properly!

One step rule mostly applies. You aren't a dragon, after all.

I had read that somewhere before, so it's what I assumed. I guess I was referring to more than one-steps. Good red dragon kins and the like. I've seen them and honestly have no idea how to interact with them, but I think that's been covered before. I'm more talking about the 100% dragons in this case.

The only reason there's good red dragon kins is because we don't have to adjust those.

Every other type generally doesn't get done if it's too wacky for the alignment.

Dragons on Amia are absolutes alignment wise then?

Never said that. I was commenting on disciples only.

DustSpray101 wrote:

Dragons on Amia are absolutes alignment wise then?

In general, I believe dragons are like celestials and fiends: they're paragons of their appropriate alignment, with only very rare exceptions.
Disciples should generally follow the 1-step rule.

Pretty much. Only exception is like Windy, and that's because he's been corrupted by his environment.

And to answer a wayback question, yes, tieflings can be paladins, but it would be extremely odd and incredibly difficult for a tiefling to go that route, IMO. There are such things as redeemed creatures, but anyway, the major part would be to have a series of situations and a god that would accept them, after they prove themselves. And as hard as that is for a normal, or even favored race, you can only imagine the struggle of someone who's very nature makes them adverse to doing what a paladin does.

But yes, I'd agree that statistically(which I'll be honest, is pretty skewed when it comes to Amia anyway), tiefling paladins would be the rare, rare exception. But my own advice is this: don't make a tiefling paladin or LG drow or CE Copper Disciple just because "it's technically possible in FR." Make it because the tiefling, drow, whatever is so exceptionally singular from the tight, coherent story you've created that they deserve to be whatever class they end up being.

If you make a CE copper disciple, as you level I will simply shove you towards CG because that's part of the disciple rituals.

While we are (still) on the topic of Draconic lore, is Bahamut supposed to be a 'lesser deity'? as it states in the Amia-Wiki.

Yes, he is, just like Tiamat.

I have a question about something I've never quite understood (mostly because I've never been in the situation):

What happens if you are casting a spell on someone and they disappear from either invisibility or HiPS?

If from invisibility, assume the caster doesn't have TS.

Is from HiPS, assume first that the caster has no Spot ranks.
Then, what if they can? I assume LoS gets broken at first (since we all know HiPS breaks the attack queue) but does it break the casting?

Something I've been curious about.

Well, seeing as most projectile like spells that target need you to look at the person, I'd assume you're just unable to complete the spell. Or of you do, it just fizzles out, as you can't see them any more. Like when you cast Magic Missile on the ground in game. Nothing happens. You can't cast Magic Missile at the darkness, so to speak.

In the case of say explosions like Fireball or AoE's, I'd dare say you could probably shift your focus to the ground where they were just standing and not be bothered much, since the spell doesn't technically require a LoS target.

Now mechanically speaking, I can't recall at the moment. I think for most spells, if the target should happen to hide in that 3 or so second window, you just stop casting.

Dark Immolation wrote:

You can't cast Magic Missile at the darkness, so to speak.

Well, there goes my ultimate plan -_-
Hah, I didn't know you could cast it at the ground, btw. Never had a reason to try XD

But seriously, that all makes sense. It's pretty much what I thought (both theoretically and mechanically speaking).

mechanically, when an enemy turns invisible and you have not cast see invisible, have enough listen or spot or anything else then the casting fails, the wizard in the character builder module casts invisible as its first action so I learned this fairly quickly. if you stand close enough to show a transparent version of the enemy you can right click them but spells targeted at them seam to fail, best solved with aoe spells or see invisible/true seeing.

I guess from a lore perspective certain spells need a focus to cast upon, a specific target, else the magic could do something else, fizzle and pop or turn your hair blue, who knows thats the magic of it =)

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