Horseshoes of Striding and Stair Climbing

[Lela]

The Paladin in our group took a rather odd turn quite a few sessions ago. Having changed into a Centaur he's now stronger, faster, and bigger. Basically, he is very good at smiting those of evilness.

But a problem seems to have developed. First a Hell Cat caught him going up some stairs. At the time, he wasn't much of a match for the beast alone and found himself having trouble moving backwards down stairs. Seems horses just aren't good at that and he was going very slowly. Getting knocked unconscious by the Hell Cat, he proceeded to fall on top of the Druid (who was trying to heal him at the time). Neither character particularly enjoyed the experience.

Later, upon meeting a Minotaur with Fighter levels, he ran into a similar problem. Knowing of the experience (the enemy had planned for their arrival well), our Minotaur friend arranged for him to lead the party up a flight of stairs (it involved a vamp and Dominate Person on another party member). Taking a ready action to Bull Rush the Paladin in question he succeeded in knocking him into two party members (the Monk managed to Tumble out of the way and was then chopped into thirds via two crits with a huge unholy great axe).

Since this last occasion, the Paladin seems to have developed an extreme dislike for stairs and avoids them whenever possible. This includes inns, friendly temples, as well as dungeons.

So, now I'm looking for something that might help him out a little. I was considering a magic item:

Horseshoes of Striding and Stair Climbing
Designed by the western rangers for use in the great many stairway tunnels made by the Kull-Raitha orc and goblin tribes as well as added speed during short chases across the Raithian plains, these horseshoes are made of pure steel (and are considered steel weapons for hoof attacks, for purposes of DR) and take on the appearance of stone. They allow horses (and equine creatures) to move at their normal movement rate both forward and backward on stairways. Once per day, the horse's master my will an increase in speed from the horseshoes. This gives the horse an increase of 10 ft per round and lasts for one minute (10 rounds).


The only thing I need help on is price, prereqs for creation, and item Caster Level.

Any help you can give would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Nifft]

I'd price them as Boots of Skating, which cost 2,000 GP.

-- Nifft

 

[Lela]

I'd price them as Boots of Skating, which cost 2,000 GP.

-- Nifft

Okay, I gotta ask where are Boots of Skating from and what do they do?

 

[Nifft]

PsiHB or SRD-Psionic-Items. Here's what the SRD has to say:

Boots of Skating: These boots allow the wearer to slide along the ground at will as if using the skate power. This benefit counts as an enhancement bonus.
Manifester Level: 3rd; Prerequisites: Craft Universal Item, skate; Market Price: 2,000 gp; Weight: 1 lb.

... which is, of course, completely useless unless you know what the skate power does:

Skate
Psychoportation (Dex)
Level: Psion 1/Psychic Warrior 1
Display: Vi, Ma
Manifestation Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Target: You or one willing creature or one object (total weight up to 100 lb./level)
Duration: 1 minute/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Power Resistance: No
Power Points: 1

The manifester, another willing creature, or an unattended object can slide along solid ground as if on smooth ice. If skate is manifested on the manifester or another creature, the subject of the power retains equilibrium by mental desire alone, allowing him or her to skate along the ground, turn, or stop suddenly as desired. The subject's base speed is equal to his or her normal speed +15 while the duration lasts. The subject can skate up or down any incline or decline he or she could normally walk upon without mishap, though skating up an incline reduces the subject's speed to the normal rate, while skating down a decline adds +30 to the skater's normal speed. This benefit counts as an enhancement bonus.

If manifested on an object, treat the object as weighing only one-tenth of its normal weight for purposes of dragging it along the ground.

It's not an exact fit, but it's pretty darn close, no?

-- Nifft

 

[Lela]

It's not an exact fit, but it's pretty darn close, no?

-- Nifft

It certainly fits pritty dang well. In fact, it makes me wonder if this was a little inspiration for the new 3.5e take on Boots of Striding and Springing.

It would also be interesting to watch someone come down the road on these things. An NPC to remember.

Unless someone else sees something, I'll go with 2,000 GP.

Thanks Nifft,

 

[Lela]

Okay, how does this look? I've got it in .PDF too. Email Me if you'd like a copy.

 

[Cpt. Anonymous]

I personally think that 2000 is a touch on the low side. the posiblities with horses and stairs are amazing. soo i would think the horse shoes would cost more i'm thinking 2750.

but as the paladin in question i think i would want it as dirt cheap as possible. considering stairs suck. but i like the flavor of the world if all the temples had ramps instead of stairs in consideration of equines and those temple patrons restricted by wheelchairs. ANd ahandycapped parking in fornt of every temple. except the evil ones cause they are just mean.

 

[Lela]

With the Restoration spells, those who are handicapped would rather the money be spent on giving their legs back than making ramps for them to drive up on.

And other horses don't spend a lot of time in the upper reaches of Temples. In fact, as you well know, other Centaurs aren't invited there often.

As to the only good aligned Temples thing, that would work for you pritty well. Considering the first time you went down the stairs you were in your own Temple and the second time you were in the Temple of a Goddess you were great friends with, I'd say you have a good arguement for ramps.

Can anyone guess what his first order was when he became the war leader of a temple under seige?

 

[Ferret]

Horse shoes of the Zephyr, if it;s good enough for darleks it's good enough for you.

 

[Lela]

Horse shoes of the Zephyr, if it;s good enough for darleks it's good enough for you.

Horseshoes of the Zephyr only allow him to walk 4 in above the ground. That would merely put him 4 inches higher than each individual stair. This wouldn't change the conditions those stairs already place upon our poor horse-like friend.