Level of available magic [Archive] - Wizards Community

Level of available magic [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
wizardguy2003
07-28-07, 11:48 PM Since Eberron is a fresh setting, so to speak, with the players being the future great heroes of the age, I felt that this should limit the availibility of certain levels of magic items. I mean, if the players are the great ones, then baring remnants of before the last war, which should cost almost impossible amounts, and anything found in a treasure trove, which the players earned though adventure, the shopping options should be limited. Heck, those who are of the appropriate level that could create the best items in the various books don't exist, least not in the "I have a shop in Sharn" sense. Does this make sense to anyone else? And if so, what kind of limit do you think should be imposed?
Vharuck
07-29-07, 02:10 AM In my games, shops carry simple items that are guaranteed to be sold often enough to warrant a constant stocking: healing potions, a few scrolls of identify, and other such cheap items that are often used.

Otherwise, everything is done by commission and that requires a willing crafter capable of making the item.
TiwazTyrsfist
07-29-07, 04:14 PM Yeah, I'd say that anything beyond healing potions, basic low charge wands (Magic missile Lvl1 - 10 charges, Mage armor - 10 charges, etc), and a couple +1 weapons or armor, are all the sort of thing where you go to the closest Canith enclave and contract for the work.
Dragom
07-29-07, 09:35 PM So I can't buy a used half-price Holy Avenger?
Burningspear
07-29-07, 09:53 PM but being able to make it yourself (as a character) should not hinder, right?.

How do you explain the higher creation feats needed to be learned from other npc's then?

like:
(above 5th lvl req.)
Craft Rod,
Craft Staff,
Craft Ring.
and equivalents..
Nived
07-29-07, 11:03 PM I still believe in Eberron as a low magic setting, but I do not have a problem with the PCs getting their hands of higher level magic stuff.

Why? Going back to the Pulp magazines, Doc Savage had his scientifically quieted airplanes (stealth planes), fleets of cars with scrambled short wave radio transmitters (cell phones), world class laboratories, and various gases and super weapons. The Shadow and his secret sanctum were equally well stocked. Pulp heroes have fantastical gear. In the 1930s...

Does this mean that a PC can walk into a store in Sharn and walk out with a Holy Avenger, a flying carpet, and a +5 Adamantine Full Plate? No, no one will have that stuff on hand... but... if the PCs have the money they can get someone to make it.

They might have to travel to Zilargo to get the finest binders and weavers to make that carpet. Travel to a holy temple of Onatar and go through some purification ritual to commission that Holy Avenger, and they can get that suit of Full Plate from House Cannith... but none of them are just going to have it sitting around... all that stuff is Custom Made, for the PCs.

They should still have their toys but you as the DM should make sure that they consider these items special. After all, they're one of a kind custom items.

Remember Eberron is not an industrial revolution type setting its more the renaissance. Every magic item is a hand crafted item. There are a lot more low level hand crafted magic items than there are high ones... but each one is hand crafted.
Dragom
07-30-07, 01:14 AM How do you explain the higher creation feats needed to be learned from other npc's then?

Strangely very few people play the style of D&D where you actually go and train to go up a level. You just learn the things you want to learn.
Gothic_Demon
07-30-07, 08:21 AM In my campaign players can buy minor magic from most large towns and cities. CLW potions and minor items based on 1st and 2nd level spells are quite easy to come by. Medium power wondrous items and other items of that power level, including armour and weapons with only basic to hit enchantments up to +2 are commonly available in very large cities.

Anything above that is custom crafted, and the most powerful items (anything +4 or above, or any powerful (+3 or higher) special armour or weapon ability) can only be crafted by the PCs themselves.
TheKeyofE
07-30-07, 10:39 AM One thing about this topic that always gets me is Forge Ring. The ubiquitous Ring of Protection +1 is a staple of low level adventurers, but Forge Ring has a prerequisite of Caster Level 12 (Artificers get it at 14). There aren't a lot of NPCs around with a caster level that high, and the few that do exist probably have better things to do than churn out a bunch of +1 rings.

So how do the PCs get their hands on Rings of Protection and other useful low level rings, since they really shouldn't be too common and they can't craft their own until very high level?
Revvecor
07-30-07, 10:46 AM One thing about this topic that always gets me is Forge Ring. The ubiquitous Ring of Protection +1 is a staple of low level adventurers, but Forge Ring has a prerequisite of Caster Level 12 (Artificers get it at 14). There aren't a lot of NPCs around with a caster level that high, and the few that do exist probably have better things to do than churn out a bunch of +1 rings.

So how do the PCs get their hands on Rings of Protection and other useful low level rings, since they really shouldn't be too common and they can't craft their own until very high level?

I had not really thought about the rings being made by individuals, I can see your point in that regard. I had always assumed that that magic rings were made
1) in large batches in a creation forge type machine
2) remains from old civilizations (like the giants, goblins, elves)
Alex_
07-30-07, 08:13 PM I use the options given in the PHB, ECS, and DMG as a guide, making specific masterwork weapons more popular in communities larger than towns, and weapons up to +1 (and the lesser +2 options) available in big cities or the best House Cannith shops of central Khorvaire. Most of the stuff is military surplus or from some organization or something. Nobody goes through the effort of making any magical weapon, shield, or wondrous item just to set it up on a wall with a "for sale" sign on it.
lordalm
08-01-07, 07:34 PM I read somewhere, a post by Hellcow or in the ECS. That the general level of most beings in Eberron, currently, didn't exceed 4th LVL. Of course there are exceptions but the base of people of 4th or lower was absolutely huge. With the higher levels become far harder to find, or attain without trying to get yourself killed (ala adventures). This saw a concentration of such high level folk in the Dragon Marked Houses and the Galifar or 5 Nations governments. Remeber, just because you were a 8th level assasin in service to the Crown, dosen't mean you could just walk in and take said crown from that 4th lvl Aristocrat. He or she would just summon a few hundered 1st through 4th level warriors along with a few dozen 1st through 4th level fighters to come kick your behind.

Now source books that have come out since then have shown that the average level of those in positions of power are closer to 6th or 8th. But still they are a very few compared to the masses. So how does an economy manned by such low level beings due what it does in Eberron? Simple. Manufacturing. Despite what has been said before, Eberron does have much in common with the industrial age, at least as far as low level magic items and mundane items are concerned. Especially within House Cannith. The Dragon Marked source book indicates pretty much this under its descriptions of the 3 different factions. Especially in the North East. Higher level beings, especially in Cannith. Create creation forges that can be run by Magewrights. While the 12h lvl mage goes back to researching new magic, while his eldrich machine pumps out +1 rings of protection. Funding his research.

In general I have imposed a +5 limit total on any magic items created for general sell or even to personal order. Anything higher than that is the product of the truly powerful, and not for sell (go steal it). Or is a creation of beings of power or races long gone. Weapons of Legacy anyone? (need to buy that book, and so many others. Curses!). This seems to be keep to the theme of Eberron. Matches with my preceived limitations of the reality in relation to high level beings of mortal nature.
TheKeyofE
08-01-07, 10:59 PM Lordalm, this (http://www.thealexandrian.net/creations/misc/d&d-calibrating.html) is a very, very good article about how the D&D system reflects real life. One of the major points is about character level, and how it is unlikely that any real-earth historical figure ever made it past character level 5. Eberron is very similar. Even though there are a significant amount of very powerful NPCs above 5th level, most of the world is, as you said, level 1-4.
SkyOdin
08-02-07, 01:13 AM If I was DMing an Eberron campaign, I would limit what could be commonly purchasable to at most +2 weapons and armor, and roughly equivalent items. Beyond that, one would have to search out specific items, either in special collections or in ancient ruins.

Of course, there are a few means by which a high level magic item can be purchased in Eberron. There is an auction house in Sharn that apparently specializes in rediculously expensive merchandise. OF course, an auction house is not just a shop you can walk into and buy whatever you like out of. Winning an auction for a rare and valuable treasure could be an adventure in of itself.
bykov1
08-03-07, 08:17 AM Yeah, I'd say that anything beyond healing potions, basic low charge wands (Magic missile Lvl1 - 10 charges, Mage armor - 10 charges, etc), and a couple +1 weapons or armor, are all the sort of thing where you go to the closest Canith enclave and contract for the work.

I would even go as far to say that any item that could overtly lead to breaking the law in Sharn would be very hard to come by; Wands of Magic Missile (Assault), etc. Or at least there would be a significant mark-up to cover "unforeseen expenses".

Bykov.
bykov1
08-03-07, 08:37 AM Lordalm, this (http://www.thealexandrian.net/creations/misc/d&d-calibrating.html) is a very, very good article about how the D&D system reflects real life. One of the major points is about character level, and how it is unlikely that any real-earth historical figure ever made it past character level 5. Eberron is very similar. Even though there are a significant amount of very powerful NPCs above 5th level, most of the world is, as you said, level 1-4.

Thanks for the article link.

Bykov.
Nevarre
08-03-07, 05:51 PM One thing about this topic that always gets me is Forge Ring. The ubiquitous Ring of Protection +1 is a staple of low level adventurers, but Forge Ring has a prerequisite of Caster Level 12 (Artificers get it at 14). There aren't a lot of NPCs around with a caster level that high, and the few that do exist probably have better things to do than churn out a bunch of +1 rings.

So how do the PCs get their hands on Rings of Protection and other useful low level rings, since they really shouldn't be too common and they can't craft their own until very high level?

Schema? ;)
There's probably a Cannith 'sweat-shop' in a dirty part of Sharn churning them out quicker than you can say 'Celebrimbor' :cool:
Just another user
08-05-07, 06:47 PM One thing about this topic that always gets me is Forge Ring. The ubiquitous Ring of Protection +1 is a staple of low level adventurers, but Forge Ring has a prerequisite of Caster Level 12 (Artificers get it at 14). There aren't a lot of NPCs around with a caster level that high, and the few that do exist probably have better things to do than churn out a bunch of +1 rings.

So how do the PCs get their hands on Rings of Protection and other useful low level rings, since they really shouldn't be too common and they can't craft their own until very high level?

IIRC Baker said that Cannith has things like wondrous locations and/or eldricth machines that can give to anyone to use of certain feats and/or spells, schemas is just one example.

About the topic I see it something like this; items with spells between 1st and 3rd (or equivalent power) can be found and bought almost anywhere in Korvhaine, from 4th to 6th can be found in some major shop or made by order without too many problems, above 7th level forget buying them, it would be like buying a nuclear bomb or a stealth fighter jet, you can found them in some lost treasure trove or they can be given to you for a really serious reason like "you are going to fight the daelkirs so probably could use this vorpal Blade/staff of power/holy avenger" but forget buying them or asking someone to make one for you just because you have the money in your pocket,even becasue those items are in the hundreds of thousand gps range of price, you need months of game time to make one and a caster that can craft them usually have better things to do with their time than crafting toys for you and money is not a sufficient motivation for them (to not mention the cost in XPs they would have to pay) .
Edymnion
08-07-07, 12:51 PM So how do the PCs get their hands on Rings of Protection and other useful low level rings, since they really shouldn't be too common and they can't craft their own until very high level?The common idea is that there must be some way for multiple lower level characters to work together to make a higher level item.
Lordalm, this (http://www.thealexandrian.net/creations/misc/d&d-calibrating.html) is a very, very good article about how the D&D system reflects real life. One of the major points is about character level, and how it is unlikely that any real-earth historical figure ever made it past character level 5. Eberron is very similar. Even though there are a significant amount of very powerful NPCs above 5th level, most of the world is, as you said, level 1-4.You officially win D&D for today with that link.
Evilclone
08-08-07, 04:05 AM Remember that the power level of Eberron is stated for when you start the campaign.
Then time passes, the PCs are going to become stronger and to level up, but the world too.
At first you can determine there are no weapon stronger than +2, but when your PCs reach the 10th level, the artificer who craft items has reached at least the 8th level as well.
Edymnion
08-08-07, 12:35 PM Remember that the power level of Eberron is stated for when you start the campaign.
Then time passes, the PCs are going to become stronger and to level up, but the world too.
At first you can determine there are no weapon stronger than +2, but when your PCs reach the 10th level, the artificer who craft items has reached at least the 8th level as well.That only applies to the exceptional characters like Vol and the Lord of Blades. The vast bulk of the world won't level up at the same rate as the party, or at all. An NPC Artificer might gain a level or two, but most magical goodies are made by Magewrights, who definately would not level just for the sake of leveling.
Evilclone
08-09-07, 07:44 AM Right, in fact I considered the artificer to be 4th level when the PCs are 1st one. It's normal since the crafter doesn't hang around killing things to gain exp, he gains it by running his shop.
However the unwritten thing that more people together can pull out something out of their possibilities (if they were alone) still applies.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
wizardguy2003 07-28-07, 11:48 PM	Since Eberron is a fresh setting, so to speak, with the players being the future great heroes of the age, I felt that this should limit the availibility of certain levels of magic items. I mean, if the players are the great ones, then baring remnants of before the last war, which should cost almost impossible amounts, and anything found in a treasure trove, which the players earned though adventure, the shopping options should be limited. Heck, those who are of the appropriate level that could create the best items in the various books don't exist, least not in the "I have a shop in Sharn" sense. Does this make sense to anyone else? And if so, what kind of limit do you think should be imposed?
Vharuck 07-29-07, 02:10 AM	In my games, shops carry simple items that are guaranteed to be sold often enough to warrant a constant stocking: healing potions, a few scrolls of identify, and other such cheap items that are often used. Otherwise, everything is done by commission and that requires a willing crafter capable of making the item.
TiwazTyrsfist 07-29-07, 04:14 PM	Yeah, I'd say that anything beyond healing potions, basic low charge wands (Magic missile Lvl1 - 10 charges, Mage armor - 10 charges, etc), and a couple +1 weapons or armor, are all the sort of thing where you go to the closest Canith enclave and contract for the work.
Dragom 07-29-07, 09:35 PM	So I can't buy a used half-price Holy Avenger?
Burningspear 07-29-07, 09:53 PM	but being able to make it yourself (as a character) should not hinder, right?. How do you explain the higher creation feats needed to be learned from other npc's then? like: (above 5th lvl req.) Craft Rod, Craft Staff, Craft Ring. and equivalents..
Nived 07-29-07, 11:03 PM	I still believe in Eberron as a low magic setting, but I do not have a problem with the PCs getting their hands of higher level magic stuff. Why? Going back to the Pulp magazines, Doc Savage had his scientifically quieted airplanes (stealth planes), fleets of cars with scrambled short wave radio transmitters (cell phones), world class laboratories, and various gases and super weapons. The Shadow and his secret sanctum were equally well stocked. Pulp heroes have fantastical gear. In the 1930s... Does this mean that a PC can walk into a store in Sharn and walk out with a Holy Avenger, a flying carpet, and a +5 Adamantine Full Plate? No, no one will have that stuff on hand... but... if the PCs have the money they can get someone to make it. They might have to travel to Zilargo to get the finest binders and weavers to make that carpet. Travel to a holy temple of Onatar and go through some purification ritual to commission that Holy Avenger, and they can get that suit of Full Plate from House Cannith... but none of them are just going to have it sitting around... all that stuff is Custom Made, for the PCs. They should still have their toys but you as the DM should make sure that they consider these items special. After all, they're one of a kind custom items. Remember Eberron is not an industrial revolution type setting its more the renaissance. Every magic item is a hand crafted item. There are a lot more low level hand crafted magic items than there are high ones... but each one is hand crafted.
Dragom 07-30-07, 01:14 AM	How do you explain the higher creation feats needed to be learned from other npc's then? Strangely very few people play the style of D&D where you actually go and train to go up a level. You just learn the things you want to learn.
Gothic_Demon 07-30-07, 08:21 AM	In my campaign players can buy minor magic from most large towns and cities. CLW potions and minor items based on 1st and 2nd level spells are quite easy to come by. Medium power wondrous items and other items of that power level, including armour and weapons with only basic to hit enchantments up to +2 are commonly available in very large cities. Anything above that is custom crafted, and the most powerful items (anything +4 or above, or any powerful (+3 or higher) special armour or weapon ability) can only be crafted by the PCs themselves.
TheKeyofE 07-30-07, 10:39 AM	One thing about this topic that always gets me is Forge Ring. The ubiquitous Ring of Protection +1 is a staple of low level adventurers, but Forge Ring has a prerequisite of Caster Level 12 (Artificers get it at 14). There aren't a lot of NPCs around with a caster level that high, and the few that do exist probably have better things to do than churn out a bunch of +1 rings. So how do the PCs get their hands on Rings of Protection and other useful low level rings, since they really shouldn't be too common and they can't craft their own until very high level?
Revvecor 07-30-07, 10:46 AM	One thing about this topic that always gets me is Forge Ring. The ubiquitous Ring of Protection +1 is a staple of low level adventurers, but Forge Ring has a prerequisite of Caster Level 12 (Artificers get it at 14). There aren't a lot of NPCs around with a caster level that high, and the few that do exist probably have better things to do than churn out a bunch of +1 rings. So how do the PCs get their hands on Rings of Protection and other useful low level rings, since they really shouldn't be too common and they can't craft their own until very high level? I had not really thought about the rings being made by individuals, I can see your point in that regard. I had always assumed that that magic rings were made 1) in large batches in a creation forge type machine 2) remains from old civilizations (like the giants, goblins, elves)
Alex_ 07-30-07, 08:13 PM	I use the options given in the PHB, ECS, and DMG as a guide, making specific masterwork weapons more popular in communities larger than towns, and weapons up to +1 (and the lesser +2 options) available in big cities or the best House Cannith shops of central Khorvaire. Most of the stuff is military surplus or from some organization or something. Nobody goes through the effort of making any magical weapon, shield, or wondrous item just to set it up on a wall with a "for sale" sign on it.
lordalm 08-01-07, 07:34 PM	I read somewhere, a post by Hellcow or in the ECS. That the general level of most beings in Eberron, currently, didn't exceed 4th LVL. Of course there are exceptions but the base of people of 4th or lower was absolutely huge. With the higher levels become far harder to find, or attain without trying to get yourself killed (ala adventures). This saw a concentration of such high level folk in the Dragon Marked Houses and the Galifar or 5 Nations governments. Remeber, just because you were a 8th level assasin in service to the Crown, dosen't mean you could just walk in and take said crown from that 4th lvl Aristocrat. He or she would just summon a few hundered 1st through 4th level warriors along with a few dozen 1st through 4th level fighters to come kick your behind. Now source books that have come out since then have shown that the average level of those in positions of power are closer to 6th or 8th. But still they are a very few compared to the masses. So how does an economy manned by such low level beings due what it does in Eberron? Simple. Manufacturing. Despite what has been said before, Eberron does have much in common with the industrial age, at least as far as low level magic items and mundane items are concerned. Especially within House Cannith. The Dragon Marked source book indicates pretty much this under its descriptions of the 3 different factions. Especially in the North East. Higher level beings, especially in Cannith. Create creation forges that can be run by Magewrights. While the 12h lvl mage goes back to researching new magic, while his eldrich machine pumps out +1 rings of protection. Funding his research. In general I have imposed a +5 limit total on any magic items created for general sell or even to personal order. Anything higher than that is the product of the truly powerful, and not for sell (go steal it). Or is a creation of beings of power or races long gone. Weapons of Legacy anyone? (need to buy that book, and so many others. Curses!). This seems to be keep to the theme of Eberron. Matches with my preceived limitations of the reality in relation to high level beings of mortal nature.
TheKeyofE 08-01-07, 10:59 PM	Lordalm, this (http://www.thealexandrian.net/creations/misc/d&d-calibrating.html) is a very, very good article about how the D&D system reflects real life. One of the major points is about character level, and how it is unlikely that any real-earth historical figure ever made it past character level 5. Eberron is very similar. Even though there are a significant amount of very powerful NPCs above 5th level, most of the world is, as you said, level 1-4.
SkyOdin 08-02-07, 01:13 AM	If I was DMing an Eberron campaign, I would limit what could be commonly purchasable to at most +2 weapons and armor, and roughly equivalent items. Beyond that, one would have to search out specific items, either in special collections or in ancient ruins. Of course, there are a few means by which a high level magic item can be purchased in Eberron. There is an auction house in Sharn that apparently specializes in rediculously expensive merchandise. OF course, an auction house is not just a shop you can walk into and buy whatever you like out of. Winning an auction for a rare and valuable treasure could be an adventure in of itself.
bykov1 08-03-07, 08:17 AM	Yeah, I'd say that anything beyond healing potions, basic low charge wands (Magic missile Lvl1 - 10 charges, Mage armor - 10 charges, etc), and a couple +1 weapons or armor, are all the sort of thing where you go to the closest Canith enclave and contract for the work. I would even go as far to say that any item that could overtly lead to breaking the law in Sharn would be very hard to come by; Wands of Magic Missile (Assault), etc. Or at least there would be a significant mark-up to cover "unforeseen expenses". Bykov.
bykov1 08-03-07, 08:37 AM	Lordalm, this (http://www.thealexandrian.net/creations/misc/d&d-calibrating.html) is a very, very good article about how the D&D system reflects real life. One of the major points is about character level, and how it is unlikely that any real-earth historical figure ever made it past character level 5. Eberron is very similar. Even though there are a significant amount of very powerful NPCs above 5th level, most of the world is, as you said, level 1-4. Thanks for the article link. Bykov.
Nevarre 08-03-07, 05:51 PM	One thing about this topic that always gets me is Forge Ring. The ubiquitous Ring of Protection +1 is a staple of low level adventurers, but Forge Ring has a prerequisite of Caster Level 12 (Artificers get it at 14). There aren't a lot of NPCs around with a caster level that high, and the few that do exist probably have better things to do than churn out a bunch of +1 rings. So how do the PCs get their hands on Rings of Protection and other useful low level rings, since they really shouldn't be too common and they can't craft their own until very high level? Schema? ;) There's probably a Cannith 'sweat-shop' in a dirty part of Sharn churning them out quicker than you can say 'Celebrimbor' :cool:
Just another user 08-05-07, 06:47 PM	One thing about this topic that always gets me is Forge Ring. The ubiquitous Ring of Protection +1 is a staple of low level adventurers, but Forge Ring has a prerequisite of Caster Level 12 (Artificers get it at 14). There aren't a lot of NPCs around with a caster level that high, and the few that do exist probably have better things to do than churn out a bunch of +1 rings. So how do the PCs get their hands on Rings of Protection and other useful low level rings, since they really shouldn't be too common and they can't craft their own until very high level? IIRC Baker said that Cannith has things like wondrous locations and/or eldricth machines that can give to anyone to use of certain feats and/or spells, schemas is just one example. About the topic I see it something like this; items with spells between 1st and 3rd (or equivalent power) can be found and bought almost anywhere in Korvhaine, from 4th to 6th can be found in some major shop or made by order without too many problems, above 7th level forget buying them, it would be like buying a nuclear bomb or a stealth fighter jet, you can found them in some lost treasure trove or they can be given to you for a really serious reason like "you are going to fight the daelkirs so probably could use this vorpal Blade/staff of power/holy avenger" but forget buying them or asking someone to make one for you just because you have the money in your pocket,even becasue those items are in the hundreds of thousand gps range of price, you need months of game time to make one and a caster that can craft them usually have better things to do with their time than crafting toys for you and money is not a sufficient motivation for them (to not mention the cost in XPs they would have to pay) .
Edymnion 08-07-07, 12:51 PM	So how do the PCs get their hands on Rings of Protection and other useful low level rings, since they really shouldn't be too common and they can't craft their own until very high level?The common idea is that there must be some way for multiple lower level characters to work together to make a higher level item. Lordalm, this (http://www.thealexandrian.net/creations/misc/d&d-calibrating.html) is a very, very good article about how the D&D system reflects real life. One of the major points is about character level, and how it is unlikely that any real-earth historical figure ever made it past character level 5. Eberron is very similar. Even though there are a significant amount of very powerful NPCs above 5th level, most of the world is, as you said, level 1-4.You officially win D&D for today with that link.
Evilclone 08-08-07, 04:05 AM	Remember that the power level of Eberron is stated for when you start the campaign. Then time passes, the PCs are going to become stronger and to level up, but the world too. At first you can determine there are no weapon stronger than +2, but when your PCs reach the 10th level, the artificer who craft items has reached at least the 8th level as well.
Edymnion 08-08-07, 12:35 PM	Remember that the power level of Eberron is stated for when you start the campaign. Then time passes, the PCs are going to become stronger and to level up, but the world too. At first you can determine there are no weapon stronger than +2, but when your PCs reach the 10th level, the artificer who craft items has reached at least the 8th level as well.That only applies to the exceptional characters like Vol and the Lord of Blades. The vast bulk of the world won't level up at the same rate as the party, or at all. An NPC Artificer might gain a level or two, but most magical goodies are made by Magewrights, who definately would not level just for the sake of leveling.
Evilclone 08-09-07, 07:44 AM	Right, in fact I considered the artificer to be 4th level when the PCs are 1st one. It's normal since the crafter doesn't hang around killing things to gain exp, he gains it by running his shop. However the unwritten thing that more people together can pull out something out of their possibilities (if they were alone) still applies.