| Author |
 Topic  |
|
AleksanderTheGreat
Seeker
90 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Apr 2011 : 22:53:50
|
Did you ever think about creating such a thing when playing a (powerful enough) spellcaster?
How would it move? Flying? Swiming? Riding on wheels? Something else (maybe on back of a gargantuan creature :D)?
How would it look like? A (flying) ship? Walking palace?
What accessories would you have in it? Your magic lab? Maybe a luxury apartment?
I'm looking for suggestions on how and what to do. Don't bother with rules from handbooks. It will be "GM made" so it doesn't have to follow official rules.
|
Fighting for order! - Join me in the battle! |
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4693 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2011 : 23:08:52
|
| One actually existed, it ran on chicken legs. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
 |
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2011 : 23:12:49
|
And it made an appearance in Elaine's excellent Starlight and Shadows trilogy.
As for the mobility thing - I usually assume a powerful archmage has several 'simple' homes, which have at least one doorway that leads to their real abode, which is either on another plane, in a pocket-plane of its own, or in some other extremely remote location (like Elminster's, which is in space). The ability to create portals (Gates: which are part of FR's theme) alleviates the need for 'mobile homes'.
Of course, we have the Netherease, who took the whole 'mobile home' thing to an extreme. The Imaskari probably thought that was 'tacky' (they are more of the 'pocket-plane' minded type) - only fools flaunt their power and wealth. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
Edited by - Markustay on 12 Apr 2011 23:18:21 |
|
|
|
AleksanderTheGreat
Seeker
90 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2011 : 23:14:05
|
| Yeah, I know about it, but I'm asking what YOU would create. And if you're mentioning one that existed then describe it more precisly. :) |
Fighting for order! - Join me in the battle! |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2011 : 23:23:59
|
Well, I certainly wouldn't use chicken-legs! 
I would just have be dimensionally unstable, and slip in and out of the 'material world' and reappear elsewhere. I suppose the owner would have some control over where (and perhaps 'when') it appeared, but without guidance I would assume it would just do so randomly.
And I believe there is at least one such dwelling in-canon, but I can't recall the details. (Spulzeer, maybe?)
I distinctly recall reading about a keep/house that only appeared every so often, and if the PCs didn't get out in time they would be taken along with it. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36877 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2011 : 23:52:52
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
And it made an appearance in Elaine's excellent Starlight and Shadows trilogy.
Baba Yaga's Hut has popped up in a lot of fiction, game material (not just D&D) and real world legend. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4693 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2011 : 23:59:58
|
quote:
The Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga
"Beware of Baba Yaga and her infamous hut!
Baba Yaga is an ancient crone who is said to have power over day and night itself. Many seek out Baba Yaga for her wisdom, which she has gleaned from centuries of travel through numerous worlds. Others, bolder and more foolish, search out the hut to plunder its treasures, which Baba Yaga has gathered from every corner of the multiverse. None, thief or scholar, who enter the Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga leave unscathed.
How will you fare now that the great Baba Yaga is in your neighborhood?"
1995 ... 64 pages ... TSR 9471 ... ISBN 0786901160
(link removed) claims to offer a free download after you pay by giving information.
The Hut was 2nd Edition.
Edit: If in the USA or the UK it is illegal to download that URL. Further the UK has signed the Berne Convection that extends copyright protection to many other nations.
Mod edit: See my post, below. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 13 Apr 2011 04:04:16 |
|
|
|
althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 00:04:35
|
I have the original version that appeared in the Dragon magazine will the
full 1ed write up. I have always wanted to run it. |
|
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4693 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 00:08:24
|
Aleksander Well right now building a farm, however what would I build for a noble home.
Clearly use fly spell, much more stable then chicken legs. If high enough level would also have it with ability to float, sink into the water providing needed air.
Of course would add a few immensities like crate food and water, mend and other minor spells. Oh planer travel clearly a nice add on *G* |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
|
|
|
Lady Fellshot
Senior Scribe
USA
379 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 01:14:54
|
I think that a four-legged steam powered contraption (owned and run by gnomes, of course) might be better. Something that looks like this would do quite nicely.  |
Rants and reviews that interest no one may be found here. |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 01:31:20
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
And it made an appearance in Elaine's excellent Starlight and Shadows trilogy.
I always loved that depiction, and the fact that Elaine used the phrase "stara baba" in the spell-like poem that helps to calm the hut.
And, after a little research, I discovered that means "old woman" in Serbo-Croatian. Suitably appropriate. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
|
|
|
Brynweir
Senior Scribe
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 01:36:55
|
| Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion |
Anyone who likes to read something that's really dark and gritty and completely awesome ought to read The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. You can check out a little taste at www.BrentWeeks.com I should probably warn you, though, that it is definitely not PG-13 :-D
He also started a new Trilogy with Black Prism, which may even surpass the Night Angel Trilogy in its awesomeness.
|
|
|
|
Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 01:41:14
|
1E had Baba Yaga's hut (an artifact), Daern's instant fortress (magic item), Leomund's tiny hut and Mordenkainen's magnificent mansion (spells). 2E included all these while adding the spells Leomund's secure shelter and estate transference.
Alternatives to mobile home are a fixed (and probably remote) location with a mobile "doorway", or extra-dimensional (Elminster's tower in Shadowdale, TARDIS; ie, bigger inside than outside), or extra-planar (probably an isolated and unique demi-plane; ie, Elminster's "safehold", rod of security).
"GM made" can be anything, even an adamantium aircraft carrier which fits in your pocket. |
[/Ayrik] |
|
|
|
Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 01:55:06
|
My favorite "home" was a Daern's Instant Fortress...Dalor could take it anywhere.
However, the fortress was actually only the FIRST step to get into his own little home. Once inside it, he would use a special spell that whisked it into a pocket plane...then exit the tower into his own little Demi-Plane.
That Demi-Plane could then be used to access multiple worlds:
A Portal into Faerun; which exited in the North Wall of Halruaa (on the north face)...Dalor later built a tower around this Portal.
A Portal into Krynn; which exited into an underground chamber beneath the Ruins of Karthy on the Isle of Karthay.
A Portal into Greyhawk; which exited into a Ice cave in the Land of Black Ice which had been sealed off with "numberless" enchantments...but was really only guarded with layer upon layer of complex illusions to thwart intrusion.
A Portal into an Iron Fortress upon the first layer of the Abyss. It was guarded by numerous Golems and chained demons (yes, Magic Allows you to bind Demons IN the Abyss). The primary guardian here was actually the tower itself, which was a hollow golem that could move about the layer at Dalor's order. Once and intruder got inside it, the other Golems acted much like White Blood Cells in stopping intruders; while the Demons were usually only too happy to torment anyone getting into their prison (though they often would flee more quickly than Golems...which is why Dalor made the Golems). The "exit/entrance" was a spiraling doorway where the belly-button would be. 
The major portal in the Demi-Plane led Dalor to his living space: an exact replica of the Imperial Palace Chambers of Sundsval where Dalor Darden grew up with then Princess Eriadna. Numerous automotons and illusions gave the place life; and Dalor, in deep madness, would often sit for days on end (until he HAD to eat) just watching things go by. 
There had been a Portal into Mystara too...but it wad destroyed when Alphatia sank beneath the waves; and Dalor never made another.
It had several other portals...but those are the ones I remember.
Essentially the Demi-Plane could "shift" where Dalor wanted to go; and when he exited one of these portals from Home, he would have the Daern's Instant Fortress in his hand. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36877 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 04:05:52
|
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
quote:
The Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga
"Beware of Baba Yaga and her infamous hut!
Baba Yaga is an ancient crone who is said to have power over day and night itself. Many seek out Baba Yaga for her wisdom, which she has gleaned from centuries of travel through numerous worlds. Others, bolder and more foolish, search out the hut to plunder its treasures, which Baba Yaga has gathered from every corner of the multiverse. None, thief or scholar, who enter the Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga leave unscathed.
How will you fare now that the great Baba Yaga is in your neighborhood?"
1995 ... 64 pages ... TSR 9471 ... ISBN 0786901160
(link removed) claims to offer a free download after you pay by giving information.
The Hut was 2nd Edition.
Edit: If in the USA or the UK it is illegal to download that URL. Further the UK has signed the Berne Convection that extends copyright protection to many other nations.
Mod edit: See my post, below.
Sorry, but even if it was legal to download elsewhere, I'm not comfortable with links to material illegal to download in the US -- especially since that's where WotC is, and the majority of their target audience. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
|
|
|
Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
|
|
ChieftainTwilight
Learned Scribe
171 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 04:52:20
|
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
And it made an appearance in Elaine's excellent Starlight and Shadows trilogy.
As for the mobility thing - I usually assume a powerful archmage has several 'simple' homes, which have at least one doorway that leads to their real abode, which is either on another plane, in a pocket-plane of its own, or in some other extremely remote location (like Elminster's, which is in space). The ability to create portals (Gates: which are part of FR's theme) alleviates the need for 'mobile homes'.
Of course, we have the Netherease, who took the whole 'mobile home' thing to an extreme. The Imaskari probably thought that was 'tacky' (they are more of the 'pocket-plane' minded type) - only fools flaunt their power and wealth.
my personal favourite personal character, Valthier, has a home like that.
the main building is located in a section of the Underdark which is in a labrynth and built over a Dwarven Mine he took over. the front door is a unique Portal that functions in a peculiar way.
see, there are other Portals in various places (different Underdark and Surface cities, other planes, what-have-you) and each one is a one-way Portal leading to the inside of his house, as if walking through the front door. walking out of the door leads you outside the door that is currently two-way linked, and a turn-dial establishes the link (kinda like in Howl's Moving Castle).
for added fun, the interior of the house is all portaled up as well; the room you walked into isn't where you think it is in the building. this has no effect on the overall volume of the building, however it can make jumping out of a window a little more entertaining. XD truth is, nobody realizes that by walking into the Dining Room from the Common Area that they've just traveled to the third floor. just an example. |
and a heart can only break so many times
and I've been to hell and back so many times
and I've seen folks walk away so many times
but just like anyone else I gotta stand up by myself
and a heart can only break so many times
a heart can only break so many times
|
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 05:18:16
|
I always find that house with chicken legs really funny. One of the Filipino children's stories has something like that.
Is there a house that flies, save the Netherese's flying enclaves? |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 05:29:31
|
Oh, I remember, there's that flying citadel in Obsidian Ridge. And wasn't there one in one of the Elminster series, too? Book 1 or 2, I think. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
ChieftainTwilight
Learned Scribe
171 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 05:46:52
|
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Not sure- but there WAS that odd tower of the wizard in Exile who had turned Clacker from a pech into a hook horror. It was some sort of shrinking magical device. I've seen stats for it somewhere once- anyone know where that might be?
that was a Daern's Instant Fortress. |
and a heart can only break so many times
and I've been to hell and back so many times
and I've seen folks walk away so many times
but just like anyone else I gotta stand up by myself
and a heart can only break so many times
a heart can only break so many times
|
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 06:07:46
|
I suppose you could use THIS as a base of operations.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Sill Alias
Senior Scribe
Kazakhstan
588 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 09:15:00
|
I think the way they used various folklore of many nations make this world really cute and nostalgic. Especially the hut of Baba Yaga. And there really was a poem for it in fairy tales to make it docile.
*ahem*
Making a mansion as wizard you must know the risk involved. Be it flying fortress or undersea complex... Actually, I was fascinated by the palace of the main villain in Final Fantasy II that was created by spell in moving hurricane, both allowing to mow down the kingdoms and getting absolute defense. Simple for cool and evil emperor wizard. |
You can hear many tales from many mouths. The most difficult is to know which of them are not lies. - Sill Alias
"May your harp be unstrung, your dreams die and all your songs be unsung." - curse of the harper, The Code of the Harpers 2 ed.
|
|
|
|
Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2011 : 18:21:29
|
I'd use something between a spelljammer and an asteroid, built from a demiplane seed with lots of extradimensional pockets and walls of force.
Some wizards in the Outlands have the Walking Castles.
There's also the Crawling City in Gehenna.
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
And it made an appearance in Elaine's excellent Starlight and Shadows trilogy.
I always loved that depiction, and the fact that Elaine used the phrase "stara baba" in the spell-like poem that helps to calm the hut.
And, after a little research, I discovered that means "old woman" in Serbo-Croatian. Suitably appropriate.
''Old woman'' is ''stara žena'', there are no young ''babas'', lol, in some parts it's a word for ''grandmother'', in other regions it's insulting like ''hag''. |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2011 : 01:33:30
|
quote:
Originally posted by Quale
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
And it made an appearance in Elaine's excellent Starlight and Shadows trilogy.
I always loved that depiction, and the fact that Elaine used the phrase "stara baba" in the spell-like poem that helps to calm the hut.
And, after a little research, I discovered that means "old woman" in Serbo-Croatian. Suitably appropriate.
''Old woman'' is ''stara žena'', there are no young ''babas'', lol, in some parts it's a word for ''grandmother'', in other regions it's insulting like ''hag''.
Okay, that's strange... because I actually asked a Serbo-Croatian work-colleague for a translation, and that's what she came up with. Curious. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 14 Apr 2011 01:35:11 |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2011 : 08:55:14
|
Maybe she didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, because it was really 'old hag' (and since it could also mean 'grandmother', she may have simply given you an amalgam translation).
In other words, both 'old hag' and 'old grandmother' could be considered 'old women'.
Either way, I had caught that in the spell as well when I read it (it may have been when I re-read it; the first time I read a novel is just for the enjoyment and I don't try to distill-out every dollop of lore). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
|
|
|
Sill Alias
Senior Scribe
Kazakhstan
588 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2011 : 08:59:43
|
A controversial character in folklore. Helps heroes and eats children...
I would like to have a flying fortress. A stable one, unlike Netherese. Perhaps in other dimension. Limbo comes to mind. Filled with personnel of soldiers and loyal servants. Many libraries, laboratories. by remembering the Planescape game, no constructs to avoid malfunction. Well, many things come to mind. |
You can hear many tales from many mouths. The most difficult is to know which of them are not lies. - Sill Alias
"May your harp be unstrung, your dreams die and all your songs be unsung." - curse of the harper, The Code of the Harpers 2 ed.
|
|
|
|
Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2011 : 10:08:49
|
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Quale
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
And it made an appearance in Elaine's excellent Starlight and Shadows trilogy.
I always loved that depiction, and the fact that Elaine used the phrase "stara baba" in the spell-like poem that helps to calm the hut.
And, after a little research, I discovered that means "old woman" in Serbo-Croatian. Suitably appropriate.
''Old woman'' is ''stara žena'', there are no young ''babas'', lol, in some parts it's a word for ''grandmother'', in other regions it's insulting like ''hag''.
Okay, that's strange... because I actually asked a Serbo-Croatian work-colleague for a translation, and that's what she came up with. Curious.
Emigrants, j/k.
Anyway Jaga I think is Polish or Russian, ''Serbo-Croatian'' term is ''baba Roga''. I used her once in the bogs of Vaasa, a night hag who was behind the Cult of White Death, it was a front for stealing souls. |
|
|
|
Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3290 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 15:47:27
|
| What about the flying building(IIRC it was a Pyramid) from Blackstaff? |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
|
|
|
Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 18:34:58
|
| -There's Netherese Enclaves, though they're entire cities, and not just buildings. Theoretically, though, using the proper spells and a mythallar, a singular building could have been elevated in the same manner as their cities. Not as cost effective, though, to be sure. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerûn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerûn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
|
|
|
Thente Thunderspells
Seeker
USA
65 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 19:01:41
|
quote:
Originally posted by Quale
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Quale
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
And it made an appearance in Elaine's excellent Starlight and Shadows trilogy.
I always loved that depiction, and the fact that Elaine used the phrase "stara baba" in the spell-like poem that helps to calm the hut.
And, after a little research, I discovered that means "old woman" in Serbo-Croatian. Suitably appropriate.
''Old woman'' is ''stara žena'', there are no young ''babas'', lol, in some parts it's a word for ''grandmother'', in other regions it's insulting like ''hag''.
Okay, that's strange... because I actually asked a Serbo-Croatian work-colleague for a translation, and that's what she came up with. Curious.
Emigrants, j/k.
Anyway Jaga I think is Polish or Russian, ''Serbo-Croatian'' term is ''baba Roga''. I used her once in the bogs of Vaasa, a night hag who was behind the Cult of White Death, it was a front for stealing souls.
If you use google translate with Polish "stara baba" translates to "crone". Baba in Polish is old woman/country woman and Stara old lady. Crone works :)
The last mobile house that Thente had was a floating tower which he had used epic magic to create a Mythal around in order to protect it. There were the obligatory portals on board, but the tower itself could plane shift and teleport. The capstone of the mythal had a rudimentary sentience and could teleport itself if threatened. Some times I lost it |
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
- Shakespeare |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Mobile Magical House?
