Re: So, who can operate Major and Minor Helms at 3.5e?

In <URL:news:local.spelljam> on Mon 31 Jul, Dante Inferno wrote:
> I'd say the problem is not with the fact that non-magic users can't use 
> the helm, but with the fact that as soon as you sit down all your spells 
> are gone. I think one of the caster level or slow spell draining 
> propositions would be a much better idea than allowing anyone to sit on 
> the helm.

In theory a nice idea, but in practice powering a Helm is such a
major proposition that anything less than: all your magic, or all
your magical powers, both for the day, or a chunk of your life-
force (which may kill you on a daily basis); may well not be
enough.

Consider that a Helm is a massively scaled-up Fly spell, with
some serious go-faster bits, and interesting sensory bits added. 
Feeding one of those enough to get the difficulty of enchantment
down to _just_ below artifact level is non-trivial!

If you are happy with your Helms being actual artifacts then you
need not bother powering them with anything, and all you
reasonably need to make them work is some sort of skill.

Well, that's how I look at it...


> Sorry if this reply is somewhat late: I hurt my wrist a while back and 
> am only now finding time to work through the 800+ messages that built up 
> while I was inured.

I know someone who had RSI problems toward the end of their
Masters ... it can definitely be far from humourous.


> Dreamer wrote:
> > In <URL:news:local.spelljam> on Tue 30 May, Blackmaer wrote:
> >   
> >> I agree with Dreamer.  Only Spellcasters should be allowed to use a 
> >> standard helm.  I have a Wizard who'd really like to swing a Holy Sword 
> >> and Turn Undead, but hey, character disadvantages can really make or break 
> >> a character.
> >
> > "Fools! now our Wizard is dead, it is the ideal opportunity to
> > build someone to run the Helm!  Pass the electrodes, Igor!"
> >
> > [grin]
> >
> > SfX: people slowly backing away...
> >
> >
> >> Personally, I find that PCs get pretty bored with always sitting in the 
> >> helm, so almost always they hire an NPC helmsman.  Serveral of the old SJ 
> >> adventures offer this as an opportunity. (example: Lareth Eln from Skull & 
> >> Crossbows and Dostrealt from RealmSpace are 2 that my PCs decided to keep 
> >> around.)
> >
> > Hmm.  I wonder if this is a good way to get someone _useful_ in
> > with the PCs?
> >
> > How about an Intellect Devourer 'riding' a hireling Wizard
> > spelljamming helmsman? [nasty grin]
> >
> > Or, a helmsman with that interesting split personality issue,
> > where each persona is a different character class???
> >
> >
> > Maybe a 'hireling helmsman' table would be a good thing to add?

-- 
Dreamer
dreamer@??????.?????.??.uk
http://www.romsys.demon.co.uk/