Noob Questions

A javelin of lightning

In the PHB (pg 187) it talks about using downtime to learn a language or set of tools. Question 1: How does this work in Wilds of Udros? Question 2: Could horse riding (or land vehicles) be learned this way? Thanks! G

I don't think riding requires anything special in 5e. For learning new things, I'd say you can gain proficiency in a language/tool in a months time for 500g, this would preclude you from researching a magical item though.

I think I get it. Riding maneuvers use animal handling, not vehicles skill (pg 178).

According to PHB 198, which describes mounted combat, a rider can either 1) directly control the mount and make it Dash, Disengage, or Dodge, or 2) let it act independently. Question: how will a 400 GP warhorse (PHB 311) act if I let it act independently? In other words, if I'm spending 400 G on it, it better be charging around, trampling stuff down, and smashing everything in sight with its hooves, right? lol... I guess I just want to make sure that the horse will actually be worth the gold and not just run away or stand around pointlessly. I can spend 75 G on a riding horse who will do that.

You pretty much need the mounted combatant feat if you want to ride your mount in combat. Without it, you can't force attacks off your mount and on to you, and a warhorse only has 19 hp.

So as far as I understand it, if you decide to control your mount (move/dash/dodge/disengage) that's what it does. If you just leave it alone it will decide to take its own action, a war trained mount would likely kick, but if badly injured may try to escape, a handle animal check to prevent that maybe? And Rhyer is correct that the feat is important.

Hey Matt, I am going to construct a +0 short bow. You told me the recipe before but I misplaced my notes. So I just want to double check with you about the recipe: 1 iron wood 1 tendon from a creature (I am using the tongue from the eten, Illoa time to use that butchery skill) 1 gem (value?) 15 x cost of short bow (375 gold) Is this right?

A +0 shortbow is just a shortbow right...

I believe 100g for the gem. It is magic so it overcomes damage resistance

Can I buy the gem in the market, or do I need to find one?

You can buy it

Excellent! I present to you Turki's new short bow: Slag Hels. It's magical (+0) is activated by speaking a swear word in Giant! Turki knows a few.

Hi! I'm a noob, and I haven't finished my character sheet just yet, but I was hoping someone could take a look at it when I'm done just to make sure I got everything right. :)

Sorry, its another question about mounts. Would a 400 G warhorse instantly die (like a monster) if it was reduced to 0 or less hit points? Or does it get death saves and a chance to recover like PCs? How about a 75 G riding horse? Thanks! G

Just die, rarer mounts could get saving throws I guess. Since hatching/training a griffon is a time investment not just gold.

This seems a somewhat ridiculous question: Is it possible to wear both a cape (Cape of the Mountebank), and a cloak (Cloak of Elvenkind) at the same time?

maybe? if you have cape of mountebank hidden beneath the cloak and you are properly bonded to both the only thing is the smell of brimstone may disrupt the evlen cloak "stealth" if a creature relys on smell and gets a whiff that's my 2 cents we need mat to give a definitive answer.

I would have to say no