Spectacles of Read Magic (Laws Eberron Magic of the Week #8) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Spectacles of Read Magic (Laws Eberron Magic of the Week #8) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
law
02-25-07, 02:03 AM This item caim about from reading many of the threads for easy magic items (comical or not) that float around the eberron forums. I hope you like.

Spectacles of Read Magic
These small glasses help the user to read magical text and runes.
Lore: Created as a magic aid for those that read magical text all the time. They have been around since the counsel of 12 was set up in ages past (Knowledge [history] DC 15). They are incredibly common in sharn with those that go to Morgrave University (Knowledge [local] DC 10).
Description: These small silver glasses have small gems that seem to have words appear in them.
Activation: The spectacles must be worn in order to gain any benefits. These spectacles take up the goggles magic item slot.
Effect: The wearer of these spectacles can decipher magical inscriptions as though they where under the effects of the Read Magic spell.
Aura/Caster Level: Faint divination. CL 1st.
Construction: Requires Craft Wondrous Item, Read Magic, 750 gp, 60 XP, 2 days.
Weight: -
Price: 1,500 gp.
JiCi
02-25-07, 02:33 PM Nicely done Law.

Quick, simple and practical... just the way I like it.
dunkeykong
02-25-07, 04:35 PM My current Artificer has goggles like thes except for theyre read magic and arcane sight at will. I love them, very useful.
law
02-25-07, 04:58 PM Thanks yes they should be usful. Though these are alot cheeper then thos I can say dunkykong.

But comments like these make doing this worth while :).
Ryoden_Anariavas
02-25-07, 05:14 PM They seem way too expensive

As far as I can tell they should be 1500GP

spell level of .5
X
caster level of 1
X
2000gp for a continous/use activated item
X
1.5 for a spell measured in 10 minutes/level
law
02-25-07, 06:03 PM Ryoden_Anariavas I priced it at a 3rd level caster. All it really did was up the price some.
Ryoden_Anariavas
02-26-07, 10:31 AM Why a third level caster? You clearly dont need to be in order to cast the requesit spell and there is nothing that says you need to make wounderous items at the minimum level you get the feat. Actualy Im pretty sure the rules say that items are always made at thier minimum caster level unless under special curcumstances.
law
02-26-07, 10:54 PM I did for the fact that I felt like doing it that way. Its not like it costs that much anyway.
Ryoden_Anariavas
02-27-07, 11:41 AM I did for the fact that I felt like doing it that way. Its not like it costs that much anyway.

That may not be much gold for a higher level character but the Spectacles are going to be usefull at lower levels when you could fail a spellcraft check. On the "NPC wealth by level" chart the lowest level a NPC should be able to have them is at level 6. As far as I know that is a high/uncommon level for the NPCs hanging around morgrave university.

On the otherhand a PC could make them at level 3 using 2250 gp. While yes the Spectacles will be usefull at that level you could use the same amount of gold to enhance two weapons to +1 level and have enugh left over to make a wand of read magic and a few 1st level scrolls.

Dont get me wrong I realy like the ideas you're throwing out to us but I just think you may have gotten the price wrong on this one. Sorry.
Magicianguy131
02-27-07, 06:52 PM I LOVE IT!!!! Spellcraft checks no more!!!!!! This has been YOINKED!!!
OneWinged4ngel
03-01-07, 10:34 PM This item caim about from reading many of the threads for easy magic items (comical or not) that float around the eberron forums. I hope you like.

Spectacles of Read Magic
These small glasses help the user to read magical text and runes.
Lore: Created as a magic aid for those that read magical text all the time. They have been around since the counsel of 12 was set up in ages past (Knowledge [history] DC 15). They are incredibly common in sharn with those that go to Morgrave University (Knowledge [local] DC 10).
Description: These small silver glasses have small gems that seem to have words appear in them.
Activation: The spectacles must be worn in order to gain any benefits. These spectacles take up the goggles magic item slot.
Effect: The wearer of these spectacles can decipher magical inscriptions as though they where under the effects of the Read Magic spell.
Aura/Caster Level: Faint divination. CL 3rd.
Construction: Requires Craft Wondrous Item, Read Magic, 2,250 gp, 180 XP, 5 days.
Weight: -
Price: 4,500 gp.

This seems pretty overpriced, and quite unoriginal. 2 seconds of searching the SRD yielded this:

Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic

Appearing as a normal helmet, a helm of comprehend languages and read magic grants its wearer the ability to understand the spoken words of any creature and to read text in any language and any magical writing. The wearer gains a +5 competence bonus on Decipher Script checks to understand messages written in incomplete, archaic, or exotic forms. Note that understanding a magical text does not necessarily imply spell use.

Faint divination; CL 4th; Craft Wondrous Item, comprehend languages, read magic; Price 5,200 gp; Weight 3 lb.

I love how you get blind yes men whenever you make something "new" who go "I LOVE IT!!! SPELLCRAFT CHECKS NO MORE!" when a clearly better item is out there... in the ever-so-obscure DMG. Honestly, such feedback is a dime a dozen. Sorry, I'd rather understand ALL languages, get a +5 bonus on a skill, *and* get the Read Magic for just 700 more gp. The only real benefit this has is being Face slot instead of Helm (which is better, I gotta say... but not the difference between getting a persistent 1st level spell effect and +5 to a skill).

My verdict? 2/10 tops. You failed as a magic item designer by not even putting half a thought into the price, which is really the main balancing factor of any item. :thumbsdow

Something more sensible for around that price would be something like "Artificer's Spectacles: Read Magic and Detect Magic all the time, and a competence bonus to UMD to activate scrolls." And look, that didn't take me any time at ALL to come up with.
law
03-02-07, 01:21 AM OneWinged4ngel dont judhe from one item. Yes theres always something better then this. My price might be slightly off (if its 1,500 ill be adjusting it soon). One mess of on price is nothing big. Every one has there bad days. Plus ill need to change the caster level (not hard by the way). Also OneWinged4ngel I do try and add flaver to an item I find this a changle and is truly the hardest part of any of the magic items I have made. Since I know of a pare of goggles that give an even better bonus and such from Complete Adventurer as well. This is just a simple item nothing to fancy.

Plus as I sad in my first one I did (which I know you did not read given that well it was number 1). I know I still have some problems and I will be working them out as I go. Dont down play me since im relearning some things cense the last time I made a bunch of magic items (some of which have been redon already in different forms, some wont come back at all).
OneWinged4ngel
03-02-07, 03:06 AM OneWinged4ngel dont judhe from one item. Yes theres always something better then this. My price might be slightly off I assure you, it's more than slight. It's the kind of thing that hits you in the face and just shouts "Wow, how can you charge this with a straight face? And even say that it's in "incredibly common" use with a 4500 gp price tag?"

Also... what would I judge from if not the one item? If I'm judging the quality of the design of one item, I don't see anything else I should be judging from.

(if its 1,500 ill be adjusting it soon). One mess of on price is nothing big. Every one has there bad days. Plus ill need to change the caster level (not hard by the way). Also OneWinged4ngel I do try and add flaver to an item I find this a changle and is truly the hardest part of any of the magic items I have made. Since I know of a pare of goggles that give an even better bonus and such from Complete Adventurer as well. This is just a simple item nothing to fancy. It's a read magic item. It's used by people who often read magic, like people in universities that study magic. Wow, I can see how that was a great "changle."

Anyways, I'm not sure why you're arguing against a suggestion to change if you yourself recognize a need for a change.
Ryoden_Anariavas
03-02-07, 09:40 AM Thank you for agreeing with me OneWinged4ngel
OneWinged4ngel
03-02-07, 12:36 PM Thank you for agreeing with me OneWinged4ngel

NP.
law
03-02-07, 06:30 PM Anyways, I'm not sure why you're arguing against a suggestion to change if you yourself recognize a need for a change.

I might think its fine, but it also mght take a while for the need for the change to sink in as well. Several things add up over time. Plus its always good to suck it up and clean up before you post another one anyway. But its adjusted so thats what matters now right?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
law 02-25-07, 02:03 AM	This item caim about from reading many of the threads for easy magic items (comical or not) that float around the eberron forums. I hope you like. Spectacles of Read Magic These small glasses help the user to read magical text and runes. Lore: Created as a magic aid for those that read magical text all the time. They have been around since the counsel of 12 was set up in ages past (Knowledge [history] DC 15). They are incredibly common in sharn with those that go to Morgrave University (Knowledge [local] DC 10). Description: These small silver glasses have small gems that seem to have words appear in them. Activation: The spectacles must be worn in order to gain any benefits. These spectacles take up the goggles magic item slot. Effect: The wearer of these spectacles can decipher magical inscriptions as though they where under the effects of the Read Magic spell. Aura/Caster Level: Faint divination. CL 1st. Construction: Requires Craft Wondrous Item, Read Magic, 750 gp, 60 XP, 2 days. Weight: - Price: 1,500 gp.
JiCi 02-25-07, 02:33 PM	Nicely done Law. Quick, simple and practical... just the way I like it.
dunkeykong 02-25-07, 04:35 PM	My current Artificer has goggles like thes except for theyre read magic and arcane sight at will. I love them, very useful.
law 02-25-07, 04:58 PM	Thanks yes they should be usful. Though these are alot cheeper then thos I can say dunkykong. But comments like these make doing this worth while :).
Ryoden_Anariavas 02-25-07, 05:14 PM	They seem way too expensive As far as I can tell they should be 1500GP spell level of .5 X caster level of 1 X 2000gp for a continous/use activated item X 1.5 for a spell measured in 10 minutes/level
law 02-25-07, 06:03 PM	Ryoden_Anariavas I priced it at a 3rd level caster. All it really did was up the price some.
Ryoden_Anariavas 02-26-07, 10:31 AM	Why a third level caster? You clearly dont need to be in order to cast the requesit spell and there is nothing that says you need to make wounderous items at the minimum level you get the feat. Actualy Im pretty sure the rules say that items are always made at thier minimum caster level unless under special curcumstances.
law 02-26-07, 10:54 PM	I did for the fact that I felt like doing it that way. Its not like it costs that much anyway.
Ryoden_Anariavas 02-27-07, 11:41 AM	I did for the fact that I felt like doing it that way. Its not like it costs that much anyway. That may not be much gold for a higher level character but the Spectacles are going to be usefull at lower levels when you could fail a spellcraft check. On the "NPC wealth by level" chart the lowest level a NPC should be able to have them is at level 6. As far as I know that is a high/uncommon level for the NPCs hanging around morgrave university. On the otherhand a PC could make them at level 3 using 2250 gp. While yes the Spectacles will be usefull at that level you could use the same amount of gold to enhance two weapons to +1 level and have enugh left over to make a wand of read magic and a few 1st level scrolls. Dont get me wrong I realy like the ideas you're throwing out to us but I just think you may have gotten the price wrong on this one. Sorry.
Magicianguy131 02-27-07, 06:52 PM	I LOVE IT!!!! Spellcraft checks no more!!!!!! This has been YOINKED!!!
OneWinged4ngel 03-01-07, 10:34 PM	This item caim about from reading many of the threads for easy magic items (comical or not) that float around the eberron forums. I hope you like. Spectacles of Read Magic These small glasses help the user to read magical text and runes. Lore: Created as a magic aid for those that read magical text all the time. They have been around since the counsel of 12 was set up in ages past (Knowledge [history] DC 15). They are incredibly common in sharn with those that go to Morgrave University (Knowledge [local] DC 10). Description: These small silver glasses have small gems that seem to have words appear in them. Activation: The spectacles must be worn in order to gain any benefits. These spectacles take up the goggles magic item slot. Effect: The wearer of these spectacles can decipher magical inscriptions as though they where under the effects of the Read Magic spell. Aura/Caster Level: Faint divination. CL 3rd. Construction: Requires Craft Wondrous Item, Read Magic, 2,250 gp, 180 XP, 5 days. Weight: - Price: 4,500 gp. This seems pretty overpriced, and quite unoriginal. 2 seconds of searching the SRD yielded this: Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic Appearing as a normal helmet, a helm of comprehend languages and read magic grants its wearer the ability to understand the spoken words of any creature and to read text in any language and any magical writing. The wearer gains a +5 competence bonus on Decipher Script checks to understand messages written in incomplete, archaic, or exotic forms. Note that understanding a magical text does not necessarily imply spell use. Faint divination; CL 4th; Craft Wondrous Item, comprehend languages, read magic; Price 5,200 gp; Weight 3 lb. I love how you get blind yes men whenever you make something "new" who go "I LOVE IT!!! SPELLCRAFT CHECKS NO MORE!" when a clearly better item is out there... in the ever-so-obscure DMG. Honestly, such feedback is a dime a dozen. Sorry, I'd rather understand ALL languages, get a +5 bonus on a skill, and get the Read Magic for just 700 more gp. The only real benefit this has is being Face slot instead of Helm (which is better, I gotta say... but not the difference between getting a persistent 1st level spell effect and +5 to a skill). My verdict? 2/10 tops. You failed as a magic item designer by not even putting half a thought into the price, which is really the main balancing factor of any item. :thumbsdow Something more sensible for around that price would be something like "Artificer's Spectacles: Read Magic and Detect Magic all the time, and a competence bonus to UMD to activate scrolls." And look, that didn't take me any time at ALL to come up with.
law 03-02-07, 01:21 AM	OneWinged4ngel dont judhe from one item. Yes theres always something better then this. My price might be slightly off (if its 1,500 ill be adjusting it soon). One mess of on price is nothing big. Every one has there bad days. Plus ill need to change the caster level (not hard by the way). Also OneWinged4ngel I do try and add flaver to an item I find this a changle and is truly the hardest part of any of the magic items I have made. Since I know of a pare of goggles that give an even better bonus and such from Complete Adventurer as well. This is just a simple item nothing to fancy. Plus as I sad in my first one I did (which I know you did not read given that well it was number 1). I know I still have some problems and I will be working them out as I go. Dont down play me since im relearning some things cense the last time I made a bunch of magic items (some of which have been redon already in different forms, some wont come back at all).
OneWinged4ngel 03-02-07, 03:06 AM	OneWinged4ngel dont judhe from one item. Yes theres always something better then this. My price might be slightly off I assure you, it's more than slight. It's the kind of thing that hits you in the face and just shouts "Wow, how can you charge this with a straight face? And even say that it's in "incredibly common" use with a 4500 gp price tag?" Also... what would I judge from if not the one item? If I'm judging the quality of the design of one item, I don't see anything else I should be judging from. (if its 1,500 ill be adjusting it soon). One mess of on price is nothing big. Every one has there bad days. Plus ill need to change the caster level (not hard by the way). Also OneWinged4ngel I do try and add flaver to an item I find this a changle and is truly the hardest part of any of the magic items I have made. Since I know of a pare of goggles that give an even better bonus and such from Complete Adventurer as well. This is just a simple item nothing to fancy. It's a read magic item. It's used by people who often read magic, like people in universities that study magic. Wow, I can see how that was a great "changle." Anyways, I'm not sure why you're arguing against a suggestion to change if you yourself recognize a need for a change.
Ryoden_Anariavas 03-02-07, 09:40 AM	Thank you for agreeing with me OneWinged4ngel
OneWinged4ngel 03-02-07, 12:36 PM	Thank you for agreeing with me OneWinged4ngel NP.
law 03-02-07, 06:30 PM	Anyways, I'm not sure why you're arguing against a suggestion to change if you yourself recognize a need for a change. I might think its fine, but it also mght take a while for the need for the change to sink in as well. Several things add up over time. Plus its always good to suck it up and clean up before you post another one anyway. But its adjusted so thats what matters now right?