Re: Helmsman Prestige Class

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dreamer" <dreamer@??????.?????.??.uk>
To: <SPELLJAMMER-L@??????.???????.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 12:54 AM
Subject: Re: [SPELLJAMMER] Helmsman Prestige Class


> You obviously haven't seen how horribly effective someone who has
> very good senses, and can at least warn, if not direct, their
> fellows (via something like Telepthy) in a fight can be! [grin]

In the case of Eyes of the Ship I, the spell being mimic'ed is a 2nd level
spell.  Given that your probably have to be level 5 before you take Helmsman
1, and you get this at Helmsman 4, it doesn't seem all that outrageous, even
as a full-time ability.  Now I admit in the case of Eyes of the Ship II,
where the spell veing mimic'ed is 5th/6th level the effect is more extreme.
Maybe they get these as spell-like abilites usable 2 times/day for the usual
duration?

> > > "Create Minor Helm", which is very powerful without some
> > > downside, like being incapable of operating a Helm for a week.
> >
> > I was thinking that they could not cast it again until the minor helm
was
> > dispelled or expired.  So a Helmsman could only create a single helm at
a
> > time.
>
> This is a major magical working, which you would otherwise need
> an INT 16+ 11th level Wizard for (or a suitable WIS 15+ 9th level
> Cleric). Don't you think the downside should be more than only
> being able to create a single one at a time?

Hm.  Maybe instead the ability should be:

Living Helm: A Helmsman may use this ability to act like a Minor Helm for 12
hours.  During that time it is exactly like they are wearing a Crown of the
Stars.  At the end of the 12 hours, they collapse and remain unconcious for
1d4+4 hours.  This ability may then not be used again for another 24 hours.
(Level 10.)


> > > I'm not sure if "Heal Ship" shouldn't have some sort of downside,
> > > like inflicting normal damage equal to ten times the number of
> > > hull points repaired on the Helmsman.
> >
> > Maybe if it cost 100 XP per point repairs?
>
> I just thought that healing the ship at the cost of your own hit
> points made sense - it hurts but if you've got access to magical
> healing its reasonably tolerable. Fun to roleplay!
>
> The ship itself isn't magical, so I'm not sure about the idea of
> burning XP to repair it, as I thought you normally burnt XP in
> making (or maybe repairing) magic (items)?

Well, repairing a ship using the power of your mind is one of those
inherently "unreasonable" powers that seems to defy reality.  Defying
reality at 3.5e seems to cost XP.  Also, most people are more willing to
take damage than give up XP!

Best Regards,

Peter