Ask a Simple Question, Get a Simple Answer 26: Still better than CustServ

[Aharon]

A192 In the ToM: The paragraph about the law of Sequence (p.233/234) says that „It's also okay to use a higher-level version of an utterance while a lower-level version is active, or vice versa, because these constitute different utterances.“

The supporting example shows that the Rule as Intended applies only to similarly named Utterances (i.e. Lesser and Minor Word of Nurturing), but the wording the author chose isn't conveying that, as Lesser Word of Nurturing is not a higher-level version of a Minor Word of Nurturing. They are different, distinct utterances (different names, different effect, different level). Thus, the only RAW way to get a higher-level version of an utterance is heightening it, and the paragraph quoted above states the heightened version is a different one - and the Law of Resistance applies separately for each different utterance.

It's rather rules-lawyery, but IMO the RAW. The relevant thread is found here.

[Sobolev]

A192 In the ToM: The paragraph about the law of Sequence (p.233/234) says that „It's also okay to use a higher-level version of an utterance while a lower-level version is active, or vice versa, because these constitute different utterances.“

The supporting example shows that the Rule as Intended applies only to similarly named Utterances (i.e. Lesser and Minor Word of Nurturing), but the wording the author chose isn't conveying that, as Lesser Word of Nurturing is not a higher-level version of a Minor Word of Nurturing. They are different, distinct utterances (different names, different effect, different level). Thus, the only RAW way to get a higher-level version of an utterance is heightening it, and the paragraph quoted above states the heightened version is a different one - and the Law of Resistance applies separately for each different utterance.

It's rather rules-lawyery, but IMO the RAW. The relevant thread is found here.

Can I convince you to rename that thread, as is it's rather hard to find with the Search function, and all I can find is Solo's parody thread.  That being said, superb explanation, follow you completely, seems legit to me.  I would only play a Truenamer with high TO anyway, so I don't mind the rather generous reading.  Thanks again.

[Maat_Mons]

Q 189: I remember seeing a monster that was shaped like a sword.  I've been trying to track it down, but the only monster name that comes up is xaver.  The description of xaver sounds right, but when I try to find out what book it's in, the only things that come up are very old sources I've never laid eyes on.  Where have I seen this creature? 

Have you tried Monsters of Faerun?  I'm just completely guessing here, but I have a feeling that it might be there.

I did check there. 

Is there a 3.5 update for Pool of Radiance?

There is, but it doesn't include this monster. 

I've done a pretty thorough search.  I'm now convinced I never saw it in a book, and I thought I did because I was remembering part of this article. 

[heroicraptor]

Is there a 3.5 update for Pool of Radiance?

There is

Do you have a link to it? Sorry, I should've numbered my question, I wasn't responding to yours.

[Maat_Mons]

Is there a 3.5 update for Pool of Radiance?

There is

Do you have a link to it? Sorry, I should've numbered my question, I wasn't responding to yours.

Oh, sorry.  One of the places xavers are supposed to be listed is Ruins of Myth Drannor, which I took to be a 2nd edition version of Pool of Radiance: Attack on Myth Drannor.  Also, I was mistaken, the book I was thinking of is 3.0. 

[behaigo]

Q 189: I remember seeing a monster that was shaped like a sword.  I've been trying to track it down, but the only monster name that comes up is xaver.  The description of xaver sounds right, but when I try to find out what book it's in, the only things that come up are very old sources I've never laid eyes on.  Where have I seen this creature?  

Is there a reason Animate Objects won't work?

[ksbsnowowl]

Q 193: Are there any rules for adjusting the CR of a monster that is significantly injured?  I have a CR 8 creature I want my EL 2 party to face, so they know how dangerous the world is, but obviously putting them up against an average specimen of said creature (a dumb melee bruiser; think a drider with claw attacks, and 95 hit points), even starting at range, would likely kill them.  How should I adjust the CR if they meet the creature when it is at half hit points?  One quarter?

Also, I'm utilizing a slightly modified version of the vitality/wounds hit point rules from Unearthed Arcana, so I could drop its wound points to one, thus a single critical will almost assuredly drop it, regardless of any remaining vitality points.

Q 194: A Living Greyhawk group that I'm in is having some interpretation issues with the spell Web.

Web
Conjuration (Creation)
Level:    Sor/Wiz 2
Components:    V, S, M
Casting Time:    1 standard action
Range:    Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Effect:    Webs in a 20-ft.-radius spread
Duration:    10 min./level (D)
Saving Throw:    Reflex negates; see text
Spell Resistance:    No

Web creates a many-layered mass of strong, sticky strands. These strands trap those caught in them. The strands are similar to spider webs but far larger and tougher. These masses must be anchored to two or more solid and diametrically opposed points or else the web collapses upon itself and disappears. Creatures caught within a web become entangled among the gluey fibers. Attacking a creature in a web won’t cause you to become entangled.

Anyone in the effect’s area when the spell is cast must make a Reflex save. If this save succeeds, the creature is entangled, but not prevented from moving, though moving is more difficult than normal for being entangled (see below). If the save fails, the creature is entangled and can’t move from its space, but can break loose by spending 1 round and making a DC 20 Strength check or a DC 25 Escape Artist check. Once loose (either by making the initial Reflex save or a later Strength check or Escape Artist check), a creature remains entangled, but may move through the web very slowly. Each round devoted to moving allows the creature to make a new Strength check or Escape Artist check. The creature moves 5 feet for each full 5 points by which the check result exceeds 10.

If you have at least 5 feet of web between you and an opponent, it provides cover. If you have at least 20 feet of web between you, it provides total cover.

The strands of a web spell are flammable. A magic flaming sword can slash them away as easily as a hand brushes away cobwebs. Any fire can set the webs alight and burn away 5 square feet in 1 round. All creatures within flaming webs take 2d4 points of fire damage from the flames.

Web can be made permanent with a permanency spell. A permanent web that is damaged (but not destroyed) regrows in 10 minutes.
Material Component

A bit of spider web.

One of the group members, who usually DM's (but was a PC last night) says the way the spell is written there is no benefit to succeeding on the initial save.  I and others disagree.

Here is how it breaks down, according to my understanding:

If you make your save:
You are entangled (thus suffering -4 to dex, and an additional -2 to AC)
If you succeed at a DC 15 strength/escape artist check (as a part of your full round action) you move 5 feet (and this movement increases if your check result is 20, 25, etc)

If you fail your save:
You are entangled
You cannot move at all until you succeed at a DC 20 Strength check or DC 25 escape artist check as a full-round action
On your next turn after succeeding on the above check, you can move by making a DC 15 (or better) check

I've highlighted the difference in red.  Am I wrong?

Basically, the normal DM thinks this interpretation is broken, because an average low-level small creature (halfing, gnome, goblin, etc) who failed its save cannot succeed on the strength check, no matter what (though it could in theory succeed on the escape artist check with a racial Dex bonus and 4 ranks in escape artist).  Basically, he thinks it's too powerful for a second level spell, that those within it must make DC 15 strength checks to move, even on a successful save. (and he's not been playing it that way in Living Greyhawk for... 8 years?)

Q 194b:  What happens when a flaming sphere tries to move through a web?  Hot knife through butter?

[PhaedrusXY]

A194A: You're exactly right. That's how it works, balanced or not. I don't know how that's not clearly spelled out in the text... Remember that you have to anchor it on both sides, though.

A194B: Yep.

[ksbsnowowl]

Q 189: I remember seeing a monster that was shaped like a sword.  I've been trying to track it down, but the only monster name that comes up is xaver.  The description of xaver sounds right, but when I try to find out what book it's in, the only things that come up are very old sources I've never laid eyes on.  Where have I seen this creature?  

The creature catalog.  The site seems to be having problems right now, but here is the direct link to a PDF of the converted monster stats:

creaturecatalog.enworld.org/converted/pdf/aberration/xaver.pdf

And here is the text:

Xaver

Small Aberration

HD: 3d8+6 (19 hp)

Init: +3 (Dex)

Speed: 20 ft

AC: 22 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +8 natural)

Attacks: Blade +6 melee

Damage: Blade 1d4+1

Face/Reach: 5 ft by 5 ft/5 ft

Special Attacks: Metal corrosion

Special Qualities: SR 20, darkvision 90 ft,
immunities, cold vulnerability

Saves: Fort +3 Ref +4 Will +3

Abilities: Str 12 Dex 17 Con 15 Int 11 Wis 11
Chr 10

Skills: Hide +13, Jump +7, Move Silently +12,
Search +5, Spot +5

Feats: Weapon Finesse (blade)

Climate: Any land and underground

Organization: Solitary or family (2-4)

Challenge Rating: 3

Treasure: None

Alignment: Always lawful neutral

Advancement: 4-6 HD (Small); 7--9 HD
(Medium-size)

Xaver are curious little creatures shaped like
bladed weapons, that corrode metal in a similar
manner to rust monsters. A xaver?s diet consists
entirely of rust from ferrous metals and alloys,
including iron, steel, mithral, and adamantine.
They are more intelligent than rust monsters,
and will not ignore a tasty meal like a suit of
armor or pile of weapons for a mere snack like a
handful of spikes or nails.

A xaver looks exactly like a sword, usually a
short sword or longsword. Their hard, silvery
bodies have a smooth metallic appearance to
them, and are flat and tapered to a point on the
upper end. The other end of the monster is
bulbous and resembles the handle of a blade,
which is set with six faceted green eyes that

resemble tiny gems. The hilt-like end has 8-inch
long retractable worm-like legs, set between
each eye, on which the creature scuttles about,
and can retract them with lightning speed to
hide from danger. It has no senses of hearing or
smell, but its eyes provide it with darkvision and
normal vision. Xavers give off no body heat or
sounds, and do not breathe in the same manner
as most living creatures do, absorbing solar heat
and gases through the bladelike part of its body.

Xavers prefer rocky, even mountainous lairs.
Sometimes they lair in a large treasure hoard,
such as that of a dragon, abandoning it when
they have eaten all the digestible metal. They
have no treasure of their own, but they are
often found among treasure. They live for
centuries, and can go for years on end without
eating, so they are not aggressive hunters.
Xavers are solitary by nature, but not territorial
and never fight each other for any reason.

COMBAT

Xavers can lie motionless as other creatures
approach, looking like an inert weapon, then
attack when characters carrying lots of metal
come near. They cut with their razor sharp
edges, swinging their bodies in a series of wild,
circular slashes that form a battle dance.

Metal Corrosion (Ex): A xaver causes ferrous
metal to corrode instantly on a touch. If a xaver
scores a successful melee hit on a metal weapon
or item, or if the item otherwise comes into
contact with the xaver, the item will crack and
fall into many tiny useless metallic shards, which
the creature will attempt to eat. A xaver cannot
control this power, but can choose not to touch
metallic items.

Immunities (Ex): Metal of any sort passes
harmlessly through a xaver as if the creature did
not exist, and therefore metal weapons cannot
harm a xaver. Arrows and metal-tipped spears
will still harm a xaver as it will take bludgeoning
damage from being struck by the wood, but the
metal itself will cause no damage.

Heat and electricity do not harm a xaver, but its
metallic body can conduct this energy to any
beings touching it. They are totally unaffected
by any sort of poison or venom.

Cold Vulnerability (Ex): Xavers are
particularly vulnerable to cold-based attacks,
and receive a -4 penalty on saves against cold-
based effects.

Skills: Xaver receive a +8 racial bonus to Move
Silently checks.

1986 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Originally found in Dragon #94

[PhaedrusXY]

Holy crap! I want one for a pet/weapon on my mostly naked monk! 

[Sobolev]

Q195: If you cast Summon Monster 1, at level 1, as a standard action instead of a full round, do you get 2 attacks out of it, or still just the one?

[ksbsnowowl]

Holy crap! I want one for a pet/weapon on my mostly naked monk! 

Or a druid?

VoP Monk/Druid?

[lianightdemon]

Holy crap! I want one for a pet/weapon on my mostly naked monk! 

Or a druid?

VoP Monk/Druid?

Either way put on some clothing! You will permanently blind the other party members. Unless you wild shape.

[ksbsnowowl]

Holy crap! I want one for a pet/weapon on my mostly naked monk! 

Or a druid?

VoP Monk/Druid?

Either way put on some clothing! You will permanently blind the other party members. Unless you wild shape.

Since it is a creature, and not really a sword, that means it wouldn't meld when you wildshape.  So that means your dire ape wildshape can wield it immediately upon wildshaping, right? 

[ksbsnowowl]

Exhausted

An exhausted character moves at half speed and takes a -6 penalty to Strength and Dexterity. After 1 hour of complete rest, an exhausted character becomes fatigued. A fatigued character becomes exhausted by doing something else that would normally cause fatigue.

Fatigued

A fatigued character can neither run nor charge and takes a -2 penalty to Strength and Dexterity. Doing anything that would normally cause fatigue causes the fatigued character to become exhausted. After 8 hours of complete rest, fatigued characters are no longer fatigued.

Q 196: So, an exhausted character can run and charge?

(granted, minus the run feat, a run or charge while exhausted would just have you moving as fast as you could while fatigued)

[behaigo]

Q197:

How can one bring a construct back from the dead?

[snakeman830]

Q197:

How can one bring a construct back from the dead?

Unless it's a Living Construct, you can't.

[behaigo]

Q197:

How can one bring a construct back from the dead?

Unless it's a Living Construct, you can't.

With spells that bring back both undead and outsiders it somewhat disappoints me that there is no re-animate construct spell.

Followup question:  Is there an easy of making a normal construct a living construct?

[snakeman830]

Q197:

How can one bring a construct back from the dead?

Unless it's a Living Construct, you can't.

With spells that bring back both undead and outsiders it somewhat disappoints me that there is no re-animate construct spell.

Followup question:  Is there an easy of making a normal construct a living construct?

Soulfused construct template from Magic of Incarnum.  Honorable mention goes to the Incarnate Construct spell (Savage Species) which turns most into Giants or Humanoids.

Plus, unlike all other creature types, constructs have no soul (living constructs are a theoretically possible exception).  Outsiders and Elementals don't have a seperate soul, but they still have a soul.  Undead are mixed: many mindless undead are little more than constructs, except animated via negative energy instead of bound elemental spirits, some ARE souls (ghosts, shadows, etc.), and others are the same as your usual creature.

[ksbsnowowl]

Q197:

How can one bring a construct back from the dead?

Unless it's a Living Construct, you can't.

With spells that bring back both undead and outsiders it somewhat disappoints me that there is no re-animate construct spell.

Followup question:  Is there an easy of making a normal construct a living construct?

A template in Magic of Incarnum does just that.

There is also a template in Lords of Madness that you apply to the stat block of a living creature, and end up with a living construct based on the base creature.