Robe of Useful Items

[Chainsaw]

The owner of the robe can tell what the item is prior to pulling out the patch.

Every robe has two daggers, mirrors, lanterns and ropes.

You dice to see which of the 4-16 additional items the robe contains. The owner of the robe can tell what these items are prior to pulling them out as well.

This makes sense to me.

[grodog]

Ok. So when you say, "I think that the MU knows the full inventory of the robe, and can pick and choose the best possible items to use from among all of the present items," I have to conclude that your position is that a MU that "dons the robe" knows its contents, and which specific patches correspond to the contents of the robe, allowing him to choose the specific patch/effect he desires, no?

Yes, although my only caveat to that is that the robe still needs to be identified properly, and that, yes, once doing so (which could also be done by simply donning the robe), the MU does know the contents.

Or you could say that the remaining patches are randomly determined at each point that the MU wants to use the robe, but that he knows at that instant what it has for that usage; more work than I would be willing to go with.

This sounds like a good variant robe to me, perhaps a little like a wand of wonder, but based on physical objects instead of spells/effects.

I also like the idea of a cursed Robe of Useless Items, featuring objects like rubber ducks, empty ballpoint pens, bags of arcade game tokens, etc., and/or items that appear useful but are in fact a bait and switch (Nerf caltrops, collapsing trick daggers, etc.), and/or dangerous cursed items (an orb from a necklace of missiles that explodes immediately upon it transforming into non-cloth form, a summoned monster that attacks you immediately, a can of spray paints that sprays giant ant attracting pheromones all over you, etc.).

I look at it like a potion of dragon control. Which dragon it controls is random; you have to dice for it. But that is done by the DM before placement, at which point it is not random any longer. And if identified, A PC would know what dragon it effected.

Well-said!

[deathsdj]

I also like the idea of a cursed Robe of Useless Items, featuring objects like rubber ducks, empty ballpoint pens, bags of arcade game tokens, etc., and/or items that appear useful but are in fact a bait and switch (Nerf caltrops, collapsing trick daggers, etc.), and/or dangerous cursed items (an orb from a necklace of missiles that explodes immediately upon it transforming into non-cloth form, a summoned monster that attacks you immediately, a can of spray paints that sprays giant ant attracting pheromones all over you, etc.).

Brilliant!

Cheers!

MJW

[darnizhaan]

I always figured the patches were in the shape of the items to be removed. It is a robe of useful items. It would be less useful if you didn't know what you were grabbing.

[austinjimm]

After thinking about this, I totally agree with the interpretation that everyone is putting forth. However, the description as written does leave room for a more "open ended" reading. A non-MU who does not don the robe will not see the patches. An MU who dons the robe will "note" and "see, recognize" the patches (which must be "diced for").

If you really must, go to dictionary.com and enter "recognize." There are numerous definitions, some of which facilitate the general interpretation by those who have responded here, but the #1 definition is, I'm paraphrasing here, something that has been "seen before."

My original position, although I have been swayed at this point, was that an MU *not familiar* with the item would need to get it identified in order to know the random (i.e. "diced for") items. I don't think such a reading is beyond the plain meaning of Gygax's words.

[hjmartin70]

I understand the urge to be BTB about it, but choose the interpetation that is the most fun and get on with it.

[austinjimm]

I understand the urge to be BTB about it, but choose the interpetation that is the most fun and get on with it.

This is, perhaps, the best answer. And, considering the fact that my player, in the incident in question, disagrees strongly with my view, it may be appropriate to go with the concensus, even though I, personally, think it more *fun* for there to be a random element.

[grodog]

My original position, although I have been swayed at this point, was that an MU *not familiar* with the item would need to get it identified in order to know the random (i.e. "diced for") items. I don't think such a reading is beyond the plain meaning of Gygax's words.

I still agree with this, FWIW, Jim: unless the MU wears the robe, it needs to be ID'd in order to know what it is, and what each patch within it contains.

[austinjimm]

Here's what I'm giving him:

Rix's robe holds the following items:

1 silver dagger
1 lantern (filled & lit)
1 torch (lit, flaming)
1 campfire (lit, blazing)
1 crowbar
1 small mallet
1 iron spike
1 mirror (4" round)
1 mirror (4'x4')
1 10' pole
1 25' pole
1 30' rope
1 15' chain
1 large sack
1 pouch with 30 silver coins
1 giant haunch of mutton, roasted
1 large wheel of cheese (aged Kymrikite)
1 5 gallon cask of Black Dwarven stout & 4 drinking jacks
1 long-stem pipe (filled, lit) and small pouch of "kind" Hobbit weed
1 dining table & 7 chairs, pewter cups, plates & utensils
1 window (2'x4', 2' deep, wooden shutters only)
1 10'x10'x10' pit (open)
1 magic steel door (10'x10', will self-hinge when placed, barred on one side)
1 pine tree (30' tall)
1 hornet's nest (200 wasps)
1 old rooster
1 brindle-blue donkey with 2 saddle bags
1 giant brown owl (saddled & bridled)
1 potion of healing (cures 10 hp)
1 scroll of magic jar

NOTE: Certain of the more "sentient" items listed may be of temporary or limited control to varying degrees.

[grodog]

Here's what I'm giving him:

I like!

[thedungeondelver]

Here's a question:

I have a player who found a Robe of Useful Items. She removed the War Dog patch and now has a pair of dogs that generally fare better in combat that almost anyone else in the party.

Would a dispel magic affect them, or anything else from the patches?

oof, imagine being in the Pit when someone casts Dispel Magic.

[austinjimm]

Would a dispel magic affect them, or anything else from the patches?

oof, imagine being in the Pit when someone casts Dispel Magic.

I would say, yes. In my view they are conjured items. Notice I included this caveat:

NOTE: Certain of the more "sentient" items listed may be of temporary or limited control to varying degrees.

[grodog]

Would a dispel magic affect them, or anything else from the patches?

I haven't looked at the spell in ages, but it may be worth checking the UA MU spell Item to see what it says on the matter.

Also: dispel magic works differently on a magic item than on a spell:

A dispel magic will not affect a specially enchanted item such as a scroll, magic ring, wand, rod, staff, miscellaneous magic item, magic weapon, magic shield, or magic armor.

[Bargle]

Unless he knows what the 4-16 items are in advance, It's not really a robe of "useful items" if the mu has the high probability of pulling something decidedly un-useful out of it when he needs it...

It would then be called a robe of "random items". Which isn't a bad variant, but certainly less usefull.

[austinjimm]

Unless he knows what the 4-16 items are in advance, It's not really a robe of "useful items" if the mu has the high probability of pulling something decidedly un-useful out of it when he needs it...

Only if he uses it without getting it properly identified, like any other magic item.

EDIT: To elaborate, my original reading of the item description was that the MU would "recognize" the patches (something no other character can do). But must have the item identified to know the exact contents of them-- especially those that are referred to as "diced for" items

I still think this is a more correct reading, but if everybody plays it a different way, hey, I'll go along.