shattering dragonshards? [Archive] - Wizards Community

shattering dragonshards? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
heirodule
07-23-07, 12:23 PM Are dragonshards considered crystal for purposes of shatter in an area affect? Are they inherently magical?
Need_A_Life
07-23-07, 04:10 PM Yes and yes.
Loki5654
07-24-07, 02:23 AM Yes and yes.
Actually, its Yes and No.

While Dragonshards are essential components in the creation of magical equipment and devices, they are not (in and of themselves) inherently magical.

Cast Detect Magic on a raw Dragonshard and you'll see absolutely nothing.
Need_A_Life
07-24-07, 10:53 AM ?

Aren't Dragonshard Foci simply Dragonshards?

I can't remember anything about them being sent to artificers in order to be empowered with magic.

Also, if it's simply casting a spell on a specific mineral, why would dragonshards be so damned valuable?

They'd be useless without an artificer.
TiwazTyrsfist
07-24-07, 12:03 PM Dragonshards are inherently magical in the same sense that Mithral, Adamantite, Darkwood, and Soarwood are.
Loki5654
07-24-07, 01:29 PM Aren't Dragonshard Foci simply Dragonshards?
No, they are Dragonshards that have been specially prepared to act as Foci. It is the preparation that makes them magical, not the shard itself.
I can't remember anything about them being sent to artificers in order to be empowered with magic.
Every magic item has to be crafted by someone. You can't just pick a random crystal up off the ground and have it become a magic item. Gold and XP have to be expended, as well as time, to create the item. The D'shards are just part of the raw material.
Also, if it's simply casting a spell on a specific mineral, why would dragonshards be so damned valuable?
Rarity. Shipping and Handling. Danger pay for procurement.
They'd be useless without an artificer.
Not neccessarily an Artificer, but they are essentially useless without someone who has a magic item crafting feat.

Look at it this way:

A MW longsword costs 105gp in raw materials to create. A +1 longsword costs 1105gp in raw materials to create. Where does the extra 1000gp come from? HellCow came up with a creative answer: Dragonshards. They are an essential component in the creation of magic items, but they are not magical themselves. The concept behind them is simply that they are the explanation for the raw material costs for magic items.
Loki5654
07-24-07, 01:30 PM Dragonshards are inherently magical in the same sense that Mithral, Adamantite, Darkwood, and Soarwood are.
By which you mean (I assume), not magical at all.
TiwazTyrsfist
07-24-07, 03:00 PM The item in question has no inherrent detectable magic aura. However, certain magic effects and items can only be done using them.

You cannot bind a fire elemental into a ruby, quarts, or diamond the way you can in a dragonshard.

You cannot build an airship out of oak and expect it to fly.
Loki5654
07-24-07, 03:13 PM The item in question has no inherrent detectable magic aura. However, certain magic effects and items can only be done using them.

You cannot bind a fire elemental into a ruby, quarts, or diamond the way you can in a dragonshard.

You cannot build an airship out of oak and expect it to fly.
The fact that they have extraordinary application when used in creating magic items does not make them magical themselves.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
heirodule 07-23-07, 12:23 PM	Are dragonshards considered crystal for purposes of shatter in an area affect? Are they inherently magical?
Need_A_Life 07-23-07, 04:10 PM	Yes and yes.
Loki5654 07-24-07, 02:23 AM	Yes and yes. Actually, its Yes and No. While Dragonshards are essential components in the creation of magical equipment and devices, they are not (in and of themselves) inherently magical. Cast Detect Magic on a raw Dragonshard and you'll see absolutely nothing.
Need_A_Life 07-24-07, 10:53 AM	? Aren't Dragonshard Foci simply Dragonshards? I can't remember anything about them being sent to artificers in order to be empowered with magic. Also, if it's simply casting a spell on a specific mineral, why would dragonshards be so damned valuable? They'd be useless without an artificer.
TiwazTyrsfist 07-24-07, 12:03 PM	Dragonshards are inherently magical in the same sense that Mithral, Adamantite, Darkwood, and Soarwood are.
Loki5654 07-24-07, 01:29 PM	Aren't Dragonshard Foci simply Dragonshards? No, they are Dragonshards that have been specially prepared to act as Foci. It is the preparation that makes them magical, not the shard itself. I can't remember anything about them being sent to artificers in order to be empowered with magic. Every magic item has to be crafted by someone. You can't just pick a random crystal up off the ground and have it become a magic item. Gold and XP have to be expended, as well as time, to create the item. The D'shards are just part of the raw material. Also, if it's simply casting a spell on a specific mineral, why would dragonshards be so damned valuable? Rarity. Shipping and Handling. Danger pay for procurement. They'd be useless without an artificer. Not neccessarily an Artificer, but they are essentially useless without someone who has a magic item crafting feat. Look at it this way: A MW longsword costs 105gp in raw materials to create. A +1 longsword costs 1105gp in raw materials to create. Where does the extra 1000gp come from? HellCow came up with a creative answer: Dragonshards. They are an essential component in the creation of magic items, but they are not magical themselves. The concept behind them is simply that they are the explanation for the raw material costs for magic items.
Loki5654 07-24-07, 01:30 PM	Dragonshards are inherently magical in the same sense that Mithral, Adamantite, Darkwood, and Soarwood are. By which you mean (I assume), not magical at all.
TiwazTyrsfist 07-24-07, 03:00 PM	The item in question has no inherrent detectable magic aura. However, certain magic effects and items can only be done using them. You cannot bind a fire elemental into a ruby, quarts, or diamond the way you can in a dragonshard. You cannot build an airship out of oak and expect it to fly.
Loki5654 07-24-07, 03:13 PM	The item in question has no inherrent detectable magic aura. However, certain magic effects and items can only be done using them. You cannot bind a fire elemental into a ruby, quarts, or diamond the way you can in a dragonshard. You cannot build an airship out of oak and expect it to fly. The fact that they have extraordinary application when used in creating magic items does not make them magical themselves.