Caltrops

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:36 pm

Introduction: What is a caltrop? One of these. Its basically a 4 pointed device which you just drop in large numbers, and hope that someone steps on them (designed to always be pointy-side-up).

The Proposal: Smiths should be able to produce an item which we shall call "Bunch of Caltrops", which have a very simple graphic showing a few of these caltrops. The bunch should cost say 5 iron ingots to produce; and wouldn't need a lot of skill. To prevent people being [insert derogatory word here], make them unstackable.

Using them: A person Shift+Clicks one of these bunches to create a "Caltrops" static item on the ground. It also produces a message "#me drops a few spiked things on the ground" (Dragging caltrops to the ground wont set them). The caltrops automatically disappear after a short while, or if someone picks them up (again shift+click and gets a message "#me carefully picks up the caltrops", which results in the caltrops being placed into the person's inventory.

Use: When a person walks into a tile which has these caltrops on them, he has a chance of being affected. This chance depends on:

I) The skill of the maker (not much)
II) The dexterity of the person who dropped them (quite a bit)
III) Perception and Agility of the person stepping on them
IV) Whether the person stepping on them is wearing boots
V) A random possibility.

I aim it that if an average maker makes caltrops dropped by an average person and stepped on by an average person wearing shoes; the chance should be around 90%.

If the person is effected, for a short (random) while his speed drops as if he was encumbered and gets the message "You step on something hard and sharp. ouch" The degree of effect should again be dependant on the above, and also on a random variable. Multiple caltrops shouldn't stack. Effect should go away after a while, or if the person stays in the same spot for 2 rot cycles or so (example he 'sat' on a chair to rest)

Practical use: A way to end chases.

You're being chased? Drop a few of these and pray that the person behind you gets them in his foot. Planning on capturing a criminal? Set them up near an entrance and it'll be much easier.

Could they work on monsters as well?

Discuss.

nmaguire · Post by **nmaguire** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:39 pm

I like it, it's like using those spikes on the road to stop car chases, and would end those 2 hours chases all around the map

pharse · Post by **pharse** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:50 pm

Could they work on monsters as well?

Probably not. This sounds much like a LongTimeEffect but AFAIK only NPCs and Characters can have LTEs.

Graphic pls?

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:54 pm

pharse wrote:
Graphic pls?

*goes to bother kevin*

Pellandria · Post by **Pellandria** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:56 pm

please check this out: http://illarion.org/community/forums/vi ... ight=traps

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:57 pm

Oh... didn't think of the poison or glass. But mine are slightly different to your idea.

Sorry I didn't remember that.

pharse · Post by **pharse** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:59 pm

Besides, we already have an item "trap". Isn't that used?

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:01 pm

pharse wrote:Besides, we already have an item "trap". Isn't that used?

You mean that one which only GMs have? the giant green beartrap? To my knowledge its overpowered, and disabling it is primative (some random thing based on dex and you might take the damage if you fail).

pharse · Post by **pharse** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:15 pm

Yes, I mean those

Pity that it is not free for all...

nmaguire · Post by **nmaguire** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:16 pm

I had one of those once. It came out of those easter eggs last year.

AlexRose · Post by **AlexRose** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:19 pm

They do 4,999 damage and you have 10,000 hp

.

Make them craftable and reduce damage plz.

pharse · Post by **pharse** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:20 pm

and then? You broke it when trying to set it? With zero "trap-skill" almost impossible to set as far as I can see.

Make them craftable and reduce damage plz.

+ disable-able >_>

nmaguire · Post by **nmaguire** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:24 pm

pharse wrote:and then? You broke it when trying to set it? With zero "trap-skill" almost impossible to set as far as I can see.

Make them craftable and reduce damage plz.
+ disable-able >_>

Actually I sold it, what would I need a trap for?

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Sat May 31, 2008 2:17 pm

Dotty made these, so umm, someone resize them and you have the graphics

Kevin Lightdot · Post by **Kevin Lightdot** » Sat May 31, 2008 2:22 pm

Hadrian_Abela wrote:Dotty made these, so umm, someone resize them and you have the graphics

Those are sized down and partially transparant, just dump the full size ones together if it poses a problem. I gotta run. Arr

Deinarious · Post by **Deinarious** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:33 am

..Ahem..

Me likey caltrops! Me likey caltrops!

...

I love this idea to bits. It makes me think of a few other ideas, like making snares to tangle people, or maybe if alchemy is ever implemented, acid flasks or making "alchemist's fire" that do damage over time, "thunderstones" that stun when thrown by letting out a supersonic boom, and stuff like that.

I get a lot of ideas for my own settings by coming to the Proposals board. But I admit I got the other things from D&D.

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:15 am

Yes, including the names.

Why not start a proposal thread call it "Dei's ideas" and put stuff there eh

?

Deinarious · Post by **Deinarious** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:38 pm

I would but it would get locked eventually or moved to off-topic because some of my ideas are so out there yet possibly possibly that they wouldn't get approved without an act of divine intervention.