OGC:Ball and Chain (3.5e Equipment)
Ball and Chain
A ball and chain is a portable prison. A single manacle is fastened around the ankle, and then attached to a heavy metal ball by a chain. It’s typically used when a prisoner has been assigned to a work assignment and thus requires full mobility, yet needs to be kept from running off.
As long as he stays within the radius of the chain, the prisoner suffers no penalties. If the prisoner is only lightly encumbered by the ball, he can drag it behind him as he moves; however this slows his movement to 20 feet (or 15 feet if his base movement is only 20 feet), and also gives him a –2 penalty to his Armor Class. If he picks up a light ball he can move without a penalty. If the victim is more heavily encumbered by a weightier ball, he must pick up the ball by the chain in order to move, incurring encumbered penalties.
In either case, the victim takes a –3 penalty to any attempt to Move Silently, due to the clanking of the chain; this is in addition to any penalty from encumbered, which is the real purpose of the ball and chain.
As the weight of the ball is the major limiting factor on the prisoner, these items come in different sizes — generally 10-pound increments. Escaping from a ball and chain requires an Escape Artist check with a DC of 28. Breaking the chain requires a Strength check (DC 26); the chain has a Hardness of 10 and 10 hit points. You will need a lock to secure the ankle manacle; add the cost of the lock to the cost of the ball and chain.
This price is for a ball and chain designed for a Small or Medium creature; larger or smaller fetters vary in cost, using the same formula as regular manacles.
Price: 10 gp + 1 gp/10 lbs.; Weight: 20 to 70 lbs.
See also: Restraints
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