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Sourcemaster2
Senior Scribe
USA
361 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Jun 2004 : 20:43:31
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How do most people get their magical toys? Adventuring is one method, obviously, but how hard is it to find specific magical items for sale? What about paying a mage or cleric to craft one for you? Will most do so for at all, and will they likely ask for money or some sort of quest to be done for payment? If anyone uses other methods of acquisition, feel free to share.
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But what have all the passing years/Done, but breed new angers, fears?/Show me now an equal worth/To innocence I earned at birth. |
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Yoshimo
Seeker
88 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2004 : 21:15:41
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| My elven mage usually crafts his own magical devices and his own potions by imbueing them with magical powers. I don't know if this helps, but you can look in the Player's Handbook and also the Dungeon Master Guide for these references. |
May the light of Selune light your path and Olidammara guide your footsteps ~Shadow Thief Motto |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2004 : 21:22:54
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| Depending upon the character's background, inheriting some item from a family member, is an option. |
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Yoshimo
Seeker
88 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2004 : 21:27:02
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| Yes, just as Valygar Corthala inheirited the sword and armor of his father, from the nobles of Athkatla in Baldur's Gate II. |
May the light of Selune light your path and Olidammara guide your footsteps ~Shadow Thief Motto |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2004 : 21:56:31
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Are we talking the Realms as she is wrote, or the Realms as modified to conform to D&D rules? I don't care about the latter, and it'll be 'obsolete' the next time the game-design-philosophy wind changes, so I'll answer the former.
They find them in ancient ruins, far more often than not. There are no magic item shops, and finding a specific magic item for sale is almost impossible. Few are mages and priests mighty enough in Art or Power, skilled in the specialized arts of construction, with time and resources to put into crafting an item, and willing to do it not just for someone else but you in particular. In payment those few will want whatever it is they want generally: knowledge, a comparable thing of magic, wealth, or a task commensurate with the great investment and sacrifice they're undertaking -- perhaps an unspecified favour to be completed, under magical compulsion, in the future. |
Edited by - Faraer on 04 Jun 2004 21:57:42 |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2004 : 22:27:45
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| Well I don't know. Even in 2e there were a few shops that did sell magic items. Yes they were EXTREMELY rare but they were there.... Or there was mages that hooked up with the local blacksmith to make magic weapons..... |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2004 : 20:09:12
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Well, in my game, what the players don't make or find they have commisioned. Just walking into a store and finding a +3 keen flaming burst kama of speed isn't going to happen, plain and simple. However if an appropriate crafter can be found and convinced through bribes and diplomacy to make it, it can be commisioned to be made. However the waiting lists can sometimes be long, and it might be some time before they can get theirs made.
Essentially I just let them buy what they want whenever I think they should be able to have it, and then dispense adventure hooks as I see fit. |
Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
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Hymn
Senior Scribe
Sweden
514 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2004 : 00:31:03
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| And in 3ed you got the Red Wizard Enclaves pumping out magical stuff as never before seen in the Realms |
Sauro moki kara ochiro - Even monkeys falls from trees.
The path that leads to truth is littered with the bodies of the ignorant - Miyamoto Musashi |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2004 : 05:23:26
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| I have to disagree on the idea that it's hard to find shops with magical items. Several times in Ed Greenwood's writings you find shops that sell certain items. And potions are an easy-to-get option for the general public. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2004 : 14:45:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Hymn
And in 3ed you got the Red Wizard Enclaves pumping out magical stuff as never before seen in the Realms
Always do I see people pointing out the red wizard enclaves as what is flooding the realms with magical items these 3e days.
Have you not read the description that closely? For the most part we are talking about potions, scrolls, ande the odd minor wondrous item here. I believe at most what the examples stated was +1 weapons, or so. The reds are not going around even selling that many potions of invisibility, or scrolls of fireball even. There are strict limits on what they can sell, most notoriously banning the items that might be most sought after by adventurers.
IF adventurers are getting their hands on +3 weapons of uber vorpal godliness, it isn't the reds fault, as much as everyone and their grandmother's familiar might like to claim. |
Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2004 : 15:30:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie
Always do I see people pointing out the red wizard enclaves as what is flooding the realms with magical items these 3e days.
Have you not read the description that closely? For the most part we are talking about potions, scrolls, ande the odd minor wondrous item here. I believe at most what the examples stated was +1 weapons, or so. The reds are not going around even selling that many potions of invisibility, or scrolls of fireball even. There are strict limits on what they can sell, most notoriously banning the items that might be most sought after by adventurers.
IF adventurers are getting their hands on +3 weapons of uber vorpal godliness, it isn't the reds fault, as much as everyone and their grandmother's familiar might like to claim.
Thank you for pointing this out. A lot of people seem to be laboring under that assumption. |
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Lashan
Learned Scribe
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2004 : 17:24:00
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I think that there are a lot of variables in what you are looking for in magic items for the answer. I can answer how I have always ran it.
Temples all over will sell spell services, potions, and scrolls. They might make a low level magic item for someone who is part of the church or congregation.
Alchemists and low level mages can create potions and minor items. I'm sure there are hedge wizards enough around to sell the minor stuff at various locations. I wouldn't make these people everywhere, but there should be one within a few days travel no matter where you are (in civilized lands).
I also think the location of where you are looking to be vital, as well. Are you in a small trade town? I doubt you would find much. The teeming cities of Sembia will offer the largest chance of obtaining magic through various means. Sembia is a country where most everything is for sale. I am sure that you could find a wizard or cleric who would be willing to create a magic item tailored to specifics.....for the right price. Of course, it would be expensive and even the creation of an item could cause all sorts of consipracies and plots. |
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Hymn
Senior Scribe
Sweden
514 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2004 : 18:27:38
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Well for a defence of myself I never stated what magical items  |
Sauro moki kara ochiro - Even monkeys falls from trees.
The path that leads to truth is littered with the bodies of the ignorant - Miyamoto Musashi |
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2004 : 19:27:38
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No ye did not. But you sure implied the heck out of it.
I was speaking more of the typical, generally old school, dms complaining and wailing about how they are losing their stranglehold on virtually everything in the game from what a player spends his cash on, to adjucating the simplest of physical actions.
The way the game has went is one I like. It takes some of the power out of the hands of the Dms, and puts it in those of the players. If someone wants to specialize in finding hidden stuff, they can now. A flat check(1 on 1d6) no longer rules the day on finding secret doors, and such. Is it any wonder that the players who have just been given the ability to for the first time in DnD, customize their charactyers to such a degree want to customize their equipment as well? For once, the crunch is there to back up the fluff.
I hated the old standby of putting potions of negative energy prtotection in dungeons with undead, and fire protection scrolls in the outer areas of the red dragon's lair. It was heavy handed, unrealistic for the most part, and just generally obtuse.
Nowadays, if my players find the map to the ancient crypt of a lich, and don't pack the right potions, scrolls, and items, too bad for them.
It comes back to what has always been the thrust of my arguments about a magical item economy:
If it exists, it will be sold. Magic items as some great treasure, that no matter their pettiness, will not be sold is ludicrous. Magic items are out there, every generation of mages increase their numbers.
Unless their is some law against there sale, they will be sold openly. If there is a ban, it will be done on the blackmarket. Magic item shops* do exist in the realms, as noted by Wooly Rupert above, even in Ed's writings. And contrary to what the DMG has ever said, the first thing any campaign setting does is break that rule and place vendors for magical items all over the place.
While the realms does not go so far as Ebberon, with magic hoes for every farmer, it is arguabley higher magic(and I would argue, Higher fantasy, but nevertheless) than the other settings. Look at any one of them, they too have purveyors of magical trinkets and treasures.
The Thayan Enclaves, if they had been introduced during the last days of 2e, would have raised few eyebrows from dms wary of magic being put into their players hands. Really, haven't temples always sold minor potions, and such? Haven't whatever wizards happening to live thereabouts had a few items for sale or trade? Haven't wizard PCs at 15th level or so become magical item manufacturers of epic proportions?
The Enclaves are just a convenient target for those angry at the third edition magic system to go on about. If you must, call the enclaves the symptom, not the disease. And if, you are set against items falling into the hands of your players, leave the issue of "no magic for sale" the totally metagame issue it is. Because, it is just plain realistic for magic of all kinds to be sold.
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Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
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Sourcemaster2
Senior Scribe
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2004 : 21:23:43
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| Once a spellcasting character reaches, say, 10th level (I estimate that that's around the area one can craft truly potent/useful items), a DM has to make a decision: whether to allow item creation, forbid it entirely, or give some kind of restriction. Unrestrained creation can be fun, and allows a character to design him/herself. Not allowing it can allow for opportunities to find them as treasure, which can lead to plot hooks. Restrictions can be balanced, but unless it's handled carefully, players might feel cheated out of their feats. Personally, I like the idea of crafting the items I need, provided that I have enough money and feats. Carefully designing my own tools can be satisfying, and I have only myself to blame if I lack the items I need. |
But what have all the passing years/Done, but breed new angers, fears?/Show me now an equal worth/To innocence I earned at birth. |
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Sarta
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2004 : 21:38:05
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I've used the feat Ancestral Relic from BoED a couple of times now in my campaign. I gave it out as a freebie to a couple of pc's at character creation. I don't use it as an exalted feat, nor use the Anointed Knight prc from BoED. I just tend to think that in general characters should be a bit adverse to simply chucking their weapon as soon as they find a new one that is slightly more effective.
It really is not at all unbalancing being that it begins play as a nonmagical weapon and requires as much money to upgrade as it would to pay an npc to enchant. I just like the idea of a magical weapon that requires time and experience in order to activate its more powerful abilities. I guess it is a hold-over from my Earthdawn gaming.
Sarta |
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2004 : 21:56:52
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I too have been eyeing the Ancestral Relic feat of late. And it hasn't proven unbalancing, even in teh hands of a non spellcaster?
How does the ritual work? Have you limited to only good characters, or opened it up? Any limits on abilities allowed on it? Can it go epic, as the cost limit of the weapon insinuates? Have you followed it into epic?
This might be just the thing for the shaman in my group... |
Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
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DDH_101
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1272 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2004 : 22:35:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Sourcemaster2
How do most people get their magical toys? Adventuring is one method, obviously, but how hard is it to find specific magical items for sale? What about paying a mage or cleric to craft one for you? Will most do so for at all, and will they likely ask for money or some sort of quest to be done for payment? If anyone uses other methods of acquisition, feel free to share.
Souremaster, some places such as Calimshan or Haluraa have an abundant amount of magic. Haluraa especially, since the people's lives revolves around magic and everyone seems to know at least a cantrip or two. |
"Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes you an easy target." -Mask |
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Sarta
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2004 : 04:14:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie
I too have been eyeing the Ancestral Relic feat of late. And it hasn't proven unbalancing, even in teh hands of a non spellcaster?
How does the ritual work? Have you limited to only good characters, or opened it up? Any limits on abilities allowed on it? Can it go epic, as the cost limit of the weapon insinuates? Have you followed it into epic?
This might be just the thing for the shaman in my group...
On the two instances that I used it, divine guidance has provided the information on what needed to be done for the ritual. Neither of the two characters are good, they are both Chaotic Neutral. The characters are just getting to level 12 or so, so no telling how powerful the weapons will get. Also, the costs are so prohibitive that neither character has them charged up to the level they are permitted (compare the costs to the gold per level chart).
The first use was for a Cleric of Shaundakul that was "god-touched" (I tend to avoid the idea of Chosen for non-Mystra worshippers). Shaundakul has been one of the deities to make an appearance from time to time in the Realms. The player's backstory was that Shaundakul had met him one day while he was working on his parent's farm. During the course of the conversation Shaundakul had patted him on the head and from then on his hair always moved as if he was in a wind. After their conversation (not knowing who he had spoken to) he went back to moving the rock that had blocked his plow he found a box underneath it with a greatsword in it. Over the course of the campaign he has been told through dreams how to activate the next power of the sword. It is restricted in that it will only pick up powers that mirror Shaundakul's own sword (eventually becoming a sentient +5 chaotic, icy burst, keen weapon).
For the second character, he is a barbarian born into the Uthgardt Ghost Tree tribe with a birthmark of a blue bear on his upper arm. He has taken it upon himself to destroy the surviving members of the blue bear tribe and reforge the tribe dedicated to Uthgardt as it once was. So far he's managed to retrieve the axe used by the first blue bear tribal leader under Uthgardt from the Frost Giant fortress it was lost in (Ancient Blood from Dungeon #20 adapted). The party has also rescued a blue bear shaman who had been turned to stone over 300 years ago by a medusa. With the help of the shaman he has begun awakening the spirit of the axe. His axe is not restricted and the pc can choose what he wishes for it.
Sarta |
Edited by - Sarta on 08 Jun 2004 06:04:28 |
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Jarren Longblade
Seeker
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2004 : 04:25:08
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| Which book is the Ancestral Relic Feat in. It sound very interesting. |
One of the few thing you don't want to hear while deer hunting with your brother-in-law "DUCK" |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2004 : 05:12:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Jarren Longblade
Which book is the Ancestral Relic Feat in. It sound very interesting.
Book of Exalted Deeds. The abbreviation is used above. |
Edited by - SiriusBlack on 08 Jun 2004 05:13:54 |
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Jarren Longblade
Seeker
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2004 : 02:42:46
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| Looks like I need to read a little slower huh |
One of the few thing you don't want to hear while deer hunting with your brother-in-law "DUCK" |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2004 : 02:46:58
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quote:
Originally posted by Jarren Longblade
Looks like I need to read a little slower huh
The higher in rank scribes like to throw around acronyms. It makes them feel important. IMHO. |
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Jarren Longblade
Seeker
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2004 : 02:52:34
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I have noticed that as well. I have been able to figure most out but I think BoED would have stumped me..
Is the BoED a good source book It is one of the few I do not own. |
One of the few thing you don't want to hear while deer hunting with your brother-in-law "DUCK" |
Edited by - Jarren Longblade on 09 Jun 2004 02:53:37 |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2004 : 02:54:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Jarren Longblade
I have noticed that as well. I have been able to figure most out but I think BoED would have stumped me..
Is the BoED a good source book It is one of the few I do not own.
That be a good recommendation for a future FAQ topic. |
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DDH_101
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1272 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2004 : 03:40:05
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| Dumb question, but what does "BoED" stand for? |
"Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes you an easy target." -Mask |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2004 : 04:04:06
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quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
Dumb question, but what does "BoED" stand for?
Book of Exalted Deeds I hear from some FR authorities. Of course these people might be telling their kids about Santa and The Eastern Bunny being real. If you can't trust them with that information.... |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jun 2004 : 08:11:09
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To quote Sirius Black . . .
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
Book of Exalted Deeds. The abbreviation is used above.
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Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Acquiring Magic Items
