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psionic items and grafts

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
jesterjeff
Dec 23, 2004 16:03:43 been getting the old DS books and poured through the psionic artifacts book.

Has anyone thought about widespread conversions of the grafts and psionic items to 3.5?

I especially like the organic weapons and living clothing.
#2
nytcrawlr
Dec 23, 2004 16:17:32 Yep, I'm going to start a project here pretty soon on coverting all that to 3.5.

Will probably start on it after the holidays and then get my help once TotDL is released again.
#3
jesterjeff
Dec 23, 2004 16:32:09 If you need a hand just ask. I'v always had a major, well I hate to use obsession or fetish so let's say, interest in post apocolyptic stories and settings. Using the Graft creatures we have the oportunity to replace the need of magcal items, and in this setting psionic items and the lifecrafted would be natural possessions to find and make use of.
#4
Pennarin
Dec 23, 2004 18:14:56 3E treats Grafts the same as magic items, and must also adapt to the Items on the Body rule, so they cannot become prevalent, or widely in use outside of specific communities and travelling heroes.
If its preferable for a Dark Sun PC not to have 2 rings, 1 helm, 1 cape, 1 shirt, 1 sword, 3 wands, 10 potions, ... then they cannot be replaced with lifeshapes, and have the PC possess 20 different lifeshapes. Its just as unbalancing.
#5
jesterjeff
Dec 23, 2004 18:43:22 yes, but such an issue is really just a point in regards to the body placement chart. and there is one item that contradicts that rulling, grafted organic talons. you graft them 1 at a time to a max of 5 per hand; they graft to the tips of your fingers and you are still free to wear rings, if not gloves (( i personally see gloves as being destroyed by them.))
#6
Pennarin
Dec 23, 2004 20:14:09 Where can I find organic talons?

At first hand it sounds like bad 3E design, since creatures fight with "claws", without mention of how many sharp appendages that entails. So a damage-inflicting item for a single finger I find dubious. Maybe if its some kind of gumjabar... (sorry for the killer spelling)
#7
jesterjeff
Dec 23, 2004 20:26:39 send me 5 proof of purchase from Cheerio's and i'll toss a few in a baggie for ya.
a single talon deals 1 damage. for each talon the damage increases till a full hand deals a d8

There are several cool organic items:
Chameleon cloaks that allow you to blend with the background and feed off of your sweat
Living boots that feel like walking barefoot and give you protection from sharp rocks and heat, as well as a climbing bonus. They grab the rocks as you climb even to the extent of allowing you to hang from celings and cavernroofs
If ya loose an eye or both they have living eyestalks that craw into the sockets and allow you to see they even strech from the sockets and look around for ya
Insect bracers that either shoot out chitilin blades or have perminate ones for tails
attachable tails for fighting or balance
living body armour
living sacks that have a gluey interior to cling to objects, squeeze the outside near the object and the bag spits it out
Cloaks that consume heat and keep you cool, fashionable as well. A lite shade of blue/white

some of these are cool beyond the statement of the word 'cool' others could be downright gross, but in a playable way.

If allowed i'd just sit with the Psionic artifact book and pour through/ converting each to 3.5 as well as cranking out a few more...
#8
Pennarin
Dec 23, 2004 20:42:01 Maybe you didn't notice but you didn't actually tell me where I can find the organic talons.

From the examples you give (which I'll assume are from the same book the talons are in) it would look like that book is Psionic Artifacts of Athas. Yes? No?

If its the case, then it was a moot example to begin with because in 3E there are no longer things like "5 distinct weapons per hand", at least as far as I've seen from all the books I've checked.
#9
jesterjeff
Dec 23, 2004 21:09:31 sorry about that

it is in psionic artifacts of athas pg 56
1 claw does 1 damage, 2-3 deal 1d3 and 4-5 deal 1d6
they come on batches of up to 5

sorry for that, must have misread ya.
#10
Pennarin
Dec 23, 2004 21:25:40 Its ok.

Probably that those would be made into a straight set of claws, modeled after wrist razors, instead of individual weapons.
#11
jesterjeff
Dec 23, 2004 22:21:25 yeah, the pic shows them grafting onto the tips of the fingers replacing the final nuckle and and extending the fingers.

Now one point that may or may not be upfraded are the living weapons.
Armblade-bugsword grafted to arm
Bladebug-consealable bugsword with a dagger sized retractable blade
Grappler-plant based tendril shooting shotgun
Living whips-poisonous and nonpoisonous
Shockstick-crab evolved into a club, the head folds out into a body with arms that release an eletrical charge
LifeDrinking sword-animal weapon that deals the damage of a bastard sword as well as;1st injury 1d12 damage from fluid draining, every other injury to same target an additional 1d6
#12
Pennarin
Dec 23, 2004 22:25:43 Kamelion and NytCrawlr (templars both of them) are interested in converting the lifeshapes. Some official material will be eventually published with those in it.
#13
jesterjeff
Dec 23, 2004 22:49:06 well that's cool, and we'd definately need to crank out a few more of all the items.....
#14
Pennarin
Dec 23, 2004 22:51:29 I've never been a fan of the lifeshapes, but I'm sure those Kam and Nyt will, or have already, found holes in the categories that would allow new and original lifeshapes to be penned down.
#15
jesterjeff
Dec 23, 2004 23:02:25 well there are also magical items, psionic items and the mundane items that are native to only athas
#16
jihun-nish
Dec 23, 2004 23:26:26
Where can I find organic talons?

At first hand it sounds like bad 3E design, since creatures fight with "claws", without mention of how many sharp appendages that entails. So a damage-inflicting item for a single finger I find dubious. Maybe if its some kind of gumjabar... (sorry for the killer spelling)

I dont have the book in front of me right at this moment but as i recal, a single claw graft didn't do much damage. You had to implement all the 5 claw graft to one hand for the natural weapon to be effective; as per an animal with such attack mode. I could be wrong but anyway that's how it should be interpreted in 3.5 conversion. IMO
#17
jihun-nish
Dec 23, 2004 23:29:12
..... I'm sure those Kam and Nyt will, or have already, found holes in the categories that would allow new and original lifeshapes to be penned down.

This would be a perfect timing to do so since it is said that more and more life-shaped are resurfacing all over Athas. So new ones should be seen (not understoud on the spot though.)
#18
jesterjeff
Dec 25, 2004 18:18:09 maybe add a few GREY and BLACK tainted lifeshaped creatures. Living defiler wands, preserver cloaks that fuel spells...

One thing to remember to emphasize during the rewrite; Lifeshaped items are not just treasures and tools, they're also pets and companions, a few would even qualify as familiars.

One creature I particularly like is a cross between a parrot and a monitor lizard, it knows what every other member of it's species knows, each one is loyal to it's master and instead of wings they possess massive ears. If you wish to speak to someone far away, speak his beast's Name to yours and begin speaking. it will tell it's master what you are saying, they'll only repeat their name if another attempts to use them, and with their massive ears they can hear nearly everything said around them and whisper it back t their master. Now this is a pet, hell it's the perfect familiar.
#19
jon_oracle_of_athas
Dec 25, 2004 18:34:53
well there are also magical items, psionic items and the mundane items that are native to only athas

These will be covered by a project akin to an athasian Arms and Equipment Guide which will be handled by the athas.org Equipment Bureau, starting January 2005.

Lifeshaped will be a separate project.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 jesterjeff Dec 23, 2004 16:03:43	been getting the old DS books and poured through the psionic artifacts book. Has anyone thought about widespread conversions of the grafts and psionic items to 3.5? I especially like the organic weapons and living clothing.
#2 nytcrawlr Dec 23, 2004 16:17:32	Yep, I'm going to start a project here pretty soon on coverting all that to 3.5. Will probably start on it after the holidays and then get my help once TotDL is released again.
#3 jesterjeff Dec 23, 2004 16:32:09	If you need a hand just ask. I'v always had a major, well I hate to use obsession or fetish so let's say, interest in post apocolyptic stories and settings. Using the Graft creatures we have the oportunity to replace the need of magcal items, and in this setting psionic items and the lifecrafted would be natural possessions to find and make use of.
#4 Pennarin Dec 23, 2004 18:14:56	3E treats Grafts the same as magic items, and must also adapt to the Items on the Body rule, so they cannot become prevalent, or widely in use outside of specific communities and travelling heroes. If its preferable for a Dark Sun PC not to have 2 rings, 1 helm, 1 cape, 1 shirt, 1 sword, 3 wands, 10 potions, ... then they cannot be replaced with lifeshapes, and have the PC possess 20 different lifeshapes. Its just as unbalancing.
#5 jesterjeff Dec 23, 2004 18:43:22	yes, but such an issue is really just a point in regards to the body placement chart. and there is one item that contradicts that rulling, grafted organic talons. you graft them 1 at a time to a max of 5 per hand; they graft to the tips of your fingers and you are still free to wear rings, if not gloves (( i personally see gloves as being destroyed by them.))
#6 Pennarin Dec 23, 2004 20:14:09	Where can I find organic talons? At first hand it sounds like bad 3E design, since creatures fight with "claws", without mention of how many sharp appendages that entails. So a damage-inflicting item for a single finger I find dubious. Maybe if its some kind of gumjabar... (sorry for the killer spelling)
#7 jesterjeff Dec 23, 2004 20:26:39	send me 5 proof of purchase from Cheerio's and i'll toss a few in a baggie for ya. a single talon deals 1 damage. for each talon the damage increases till a full hand deals a d8 There are several cool organic items: Chameleon cloaks that allow you to blend with the background and feed off of your sweat Living boots that feel like walking barefoot and give you protection from sharp rocks and heat, as well as a climbing bonus. They grab the rocks as you climb even to the extent of allowing you to hang from celings and cavernroofs If ya loose an eye or both they have living eyestalks that craw into the sockets and allow you to see they even strech from the sockets and look around for ya Insect bracers that either shoot out chitilin blades or have perminate ones for tails attachable tails for fighting or balance living body armour living sacks that have a gluey interior to cling to objects, squeeze the outside near the object and the bag spits it out Cloaks that consume heat and keep you cool, fashionable as well. A lite shade of blue/white some of these are cool beyond the statement of the word 'cool' others could be downright gross, but in a playable way. If allowed i'd just sit with the Psionic artifact book and pour through/ converting each to 3.5 as well as cranking out a few more...
#8 Pennarin Dec 23, 2004 20:42:01	Maybe you didn't notice but you didn't actually tell me where I can find the organic talons. From the examples you give (which I'll assume are from the same book the talons are in) it would look like that book is Psionic Artifacts of Athas. Yes? No? If its the case, then it was a moot example to begin with because in 3E there are no longer things like "5 distinct weapons per hand", at least as far as I've seen from all the books I've checked.
#9 jesterjeff Dec 23, 2004 21:09:31	sorry about that it is in psionic artifacts of athas pg 56 1 claw does 1 damage, 2-3 deal 1d3 and 4-5 deal 1d6 they come on batches of up to 5 sorry for that, must have misread ya.
#10 Pennarin Dec 23, 2004 21:25:40	Its ok. Probably that those would be made into a straight set of claws, modeled after wrist razors, instead of individual weapons.
#11 jesterjeff Dec 23, 2004 22:21:25	yeah, the pic shows them grafting onto the tips of the fingers replacing the final nuckle and and extending the fingers. Now one point that may or may not be upfraded are the living weapons. Armblade-bugsword grafted to arm Bladebug-consealable bugsword with a dagger sized retractable blade Grappler-plant based tendril shooting shotgun Living whips-poisonous and nonpoisonous Shockstick-crab evolved into a club, the head folds out into a body with arms that release an eletrical charge LifeDrinking sword-animal weapon that deals the damage of a bastard sword as well as;1st injury 1d12 damage from fluid draining, every other injury to same target an additional 1d6
#12 Pennarin Dec 23, 2004 22:25:43	Kamelion and NytCrawlr (templars both of them) are interested in converting the lifeshapes. Some official material will be eventually published with those in it.
#13 jesterjeff Dec 23, 2004 22:49:06	well that's cool, and we'd definately need to crank out a few more of all the items.....
#14 Pennarin Dec 23, 2004 22:51:29	I've never been a fan of the lifeshapes, but I'm sure those Kam and Nyt will, or have already, found holes in the categories that would allow new and original lifeshapes to be penned down.
#15 jesterjeff Dec 23, 2004 23:02:25	well there are also magical items, psionic items and the mundane items that are native to only athas
#16 jihun-nish Dec 23, 2004 23:26:26	Where can I find organic talons? At first hand it sounds like bad 3E design, since creatures fight with "claws", without mention of how many sharp appendages that entails. So a damage-inflicting item for a single finger I find dubious. Maybe if its some kind of gumjabar... (sorry for the killer spelling) I dont have the book in front of me right at this moment but as i recal, a single claw graft didn't do much damage. You had to implement all the 5 claw graft to one hand for the natural weapon to be effective; as per an animal with such attack mode. I could be wrong but anyway that's how it should be interpreted in 3.5 conversion. IMO
#17 jihun-nish Dec 23, 2004 23:29:12	..... I'm sure those Kam and Nyt will, or have already, found holes in the categories that would allow new and original lifeshapes to be penned down. This would be a perfect timing to do so since it is said that more and more life-shaped are resurfacing all over Athas. So new ones should be seen (not understoud on the spot though.)
#18 jesterjeff Dec 25, 2004 18:18:09	maybe add a few GREY and BLACK tainted lifeshaped creatures. Living defiler wands, preserver cloaks that fuel spells... One thing to remember to emphasize during the rewrite; Lifeshaped items are not just treasures and tools, they're also pets and companions, a few would even qualify as familiars. One creature I particularly like is a cross between a parrot and a monitor lizard, it knows what every other member of it's species knows, each one is loyal to it's master and instead of wings they possess massive ears. If you wish to speak to someone far away, speak his beast's Name to yours and begin speaking. it will tell it's master what you are saying, they'll only repeat their name if another attempts to use them, and with their massive ears they can hear nearly everything said around them and whisper it back t their master. Now this is a pet, hell it's the perfect familiar.
#19 jon_oracle_of_athas Dec 25, 2004 18:34:53	well there are also magical items, psionic items and the mundane items that are native to only athas These will be covered by a project akin to an athasian Arms and Equipment Guide which will be handled by the athas.org Equipment Bureau, starting January 2005. Lifeshaped will be a separate project.