Swampwalker Shoes

Description: Many tribes of jungle trolls live in or near swamps, marshes and other natural wetlands. Moving through these watery areas can be perilous. In addition to underwater pitfalls, the swamps are home to numerous dangerous creatures, insects and diseases, many of which dwell unseen under the water. Just moving through hip-deep water is a slow, tedious process. Swampwalker shoes, a recent troll invention, provide relief from these problems, allowing the wearer to move along the surface of the water. When activated, the soles of these leather boots swell into wide, disc-shaped platforms that let their owner walk on liquid. Operation: Activating these boots provokes an attack of opportunity and requires a DC 15 Use T echnological Device check. Once their balloon- like soles deploy, the swampwalker shoes reduce the wearer's land movement speed by one-half. However, she can walk on water at her normal movement speed, although moving any farther than her base movement requires a Balance check in each extra water square she enters. The DC of this check is 10 for the first such square, plus +2 per additional square. Thus, if the owner normally has a base movement speed of 30, but takes a double move, she would make six Balance checks, the first at DC 10, the second DC 12, then DC 14, and so on. Swampwalker shoes work correctly only on calm water. If the water is flowing or choppy, the wearer must make a Balance check for every step she takes. The DC of this check varies depending on how rough the water is. A slowly moving stream, for example, might require a DC 10 check, while stormy seas require DC 30 or more. If the wearer falls, the shoes make swimming difficult, imposing a -5 penalty on Swim checks. Furthermore, standing back up on the surface of the water is a considerable challenge. To stand, the wearer must take a full-round action and make a DC 15 Balance check. This DC increases appropriately in flowing or rough water. Fuel: Swampwalker shoes use a single vial of liquid phlogiston for 1 hour of continuous operation. Hardness 3; 5 hp (each shoe); Size Tiny; Weight 2 lb. (each); MR 1; TS 5; Craft DC 25; Price 750 gp per pair. Thunderstomper