Post/Author/DateTime	Post
thorofasgard13 06-13-07, 02:12 PM	I was wondering, even though it says that even epic spells normally don't create artifacts, whether minor artifacts could be created by several characters using epic magic to create one?
Mai_ariti 06-13-07, 02:34 PM	Rules state that a character cannot make an Artifact but they can make a completely identical magical item. . .apparently it takes several divine levels to qualify to use the word Artifact. Yeah, it's stupid.
thorofasgard13 06-13-07, 02:41 PM	oh ok thank you.
rob_douglas 06-13-07, 07:16 PM	They could create the item that they want to be an artifact, then have a god do the final work to make it one. They would probably have to do him a favor. Also, there should be some non-divine way to make artifacts, as there are some whose histories are entwined with the history of the world and not the actions of a god. Take the Machine of Lum the mad or Mighty Servant of Leuko. Vecna's appendages were artifacts before he became a demigod (or was he already a demigod when Kas slew him, or just became one as a result of Kas's treachery - that's it, his final ingredient in ascension was that his lieutenant had to betray him - sounds perfectly Vecnan). Anyway, some Artifacts can become such without the gods, but there are no rules for it. A DM would have to decide - probably involving the "faith" of commoners and such that these items were artifacts to power their nature. ROB
bluemage55 06-13-07, 08:26 PM	Rules state that a character cannot make an Artifact but they can make a completely identical magical item. . .apparently it takes several divine levels to qualify to use the word Artifact. Yeah, it's stupid. Keep in mind that greater artifacts are significantly more difficult to destroy than their "identical" epic counterparts.
fnord 06-15-07, 07:25 AM	Keep in mind that greater artifacts are significantly more difficult to destroy than their "identical" epic counterparts. And even minor artifacts ignore antimagic fields.
BillTheManiac 06-15-07, 09:11 AM	And even minor artifacts ignore antimagic fields. Just like deities. Who make artifacts. But if you want those advantages, I would make it a feat and a doubling of the XP cost, at least.
Aluroon 06-15-07, 10:12 AM	Just like deities. Who make artifacts. But if you want those advantages, I would make it a feat and a doubling of the XP cost, at least. Actually I have no issue with mortals, especially epic mortals, crafting artifacts, its just not going to be easy and is going to require things out of the ordinary, such as unique crafting materials, unique locations, and greater personal sacrifice. Afterall, the definition for a minor artifact simply states Minor artifacts are not necessarily unique items. Even so, they are magic items that no longer can be created, at least by common mortal means.
BillTheManiac 06-15-07, 11:06 AM	Actually I have no issue with mortals, especially epic mortals, crafting artifacts, its just not going to be easy and is going to require things out of the ordinary, such as unique crafting materials, unique locations, and greater personal sacrifice. Hmmm... At least. Also: Unique crafting materials: Treasure from an adventure Unique locations: Another adventure Personal sacrifice: Substitute something for XP? If you do, no one will ever make them. How about a temporary sacrifice in addition to XP? In total, these adventures should provide more XP then it costs to make the artifact.
Aluroon 06-15-07, 11:18 AM	Hmmm... At least. Also: Unique crafting materials: Treasure from an adventure Unique locations: Another adventure Personal sacrifice: Substitute something for XP? If you do, no one will ever make them. How about a temporary sacrifice in addition to XP? In total, these adventures should provide more XP then it costs to make the artifact. I'll give you an example :) Spell Well, Minor Artifact Description These rare items are highly coveted by spellcasters everywhere, but are particularly prized by powerful priests and archmages who deal with divine or semi-divine beings. Because of the unique nature of such beings they are able to drawn upon there inner reserve of magic to power any spells or abilities they possess even within areas of dead magic or antimagic, Spell Wells grant mortals that same ability, abet in a much more limited degree. Spell Wells are reservoirs of magical power similar to pearls of power or psionic cognize crystals, however unlike there lesser brethren Spell Wells exist primarily for a much more specific purpose. To power spells within areas of dead magic, antimagic, or impeded magic. The Mechanical side of it. Spell Wells hold a number of spell levels ranging from 1 to 20 (depending upon the Spell Well, see creation below). These can be tapped into to power spells anytime, but there primary function is to power spells within areas of Antimagic, dead magic, or restricted magic. In such areas spell levels can be drawn directly from this item (as a free action) to power any spell the character knows or has memorized. After these spell levels have been used they must be recharged with spell slots expended directly into the item (slots can have a spell in them, but the spell is lost for the day) at a 2-1 basis (i.e. a 2nd level spell would grant a spell well 1 spell level). Expending a spell into a spell well for the purpose of recharging it as a standard action. Appearance Amusingly enough, despite the demand for these items among more learned spellcasters they are often mistaken for “charged” Pearls of Power or such by lesser mages. When devoid of charges (used and would being recharged) a Spell Well radiates faint universal magic, though when fully charged (regardless of how many spell levels the item itself can hold) it always radiates overwhelming universal magic. When partially charged these items radiate strong universal magic. Creation The creation of these artifacts is extremely difficult and incredibly draining upon the creator. Spell Wells must be constructed in area’s that possess a natural excess of magical energy. In game terms such an area must grant a bonus to spellcasting such as +1 caster level of all spells cast within the area, or all spells maximized within the area. Immediately following the completion of the Spell Well this excess energy is lost, absorbed by the Spell Well. Furthermore the creator of a Spell Well must permanently sacrifice a number of spell levels (in slots) equal to 10x the number of spell levels granted by the Spell Well. For example, in order to create a spell web that allowed the casting of up to 5 spell levels the creator would have to sacrifice 50 levels in spell slots permanently (example, 5 5th level spell slots, 4 6th level spell slots and a 1st level spell slot). A Spell Well can be created in almost any shape, they can be rings, amulets, gemstones, sword pummels, or anything else the creator wishes to fashion them out of. Regardless a spell well never takes up a magical item slot regardless of its form (a spell well in the form of a ring would not limit the number of magical rings that could be warn at the same time). Most commonly a Spell Well takes the form of an amulet, ring, or gemstone. Psionics In theory a Spell Well could be created for a by a Psionic character, though it would have be to created in a psionicly charged area instead of a magical, and would drain a number of power points equal to 10 times the amount of power points to be stored (17 power points would require the permanent lost of 170 power points.
BillTheManiac 06-15-07, 12:26 PM	Temporary artifact? No way to recharge? It's an artifact. Most artifacts are supposed to be really old. This one you just discard? Don't you think that cost is a little too high? 10 spells per day is not worth 1 spell, once, that can be cast in antimagic field. Isn't there a feat that lets you do that? Initiate of Mystra? Even if you're not in SR I couldn't see anyone, ever paying that price. Random idea of a price: You are surrounded by a 10' radius antimagic field which lasts until it absorbs one-tenth as many levels of offensive spells or a Mordenkainen's Disjunction. So to create a 100-spell-slot item it would absorb 10 spell slots. Not even divinity will let you cast spells in this field. To create a thousand spell-slot spell well, you need one eye of the tarrasque and 10,000 gp in emeralds of perfect clarity. One such magic site is a waterfall that somehow deposits brightly and randomly colored stones at the bottom, even though no such stone exists at the top. Its powerful connection to conjuration and other magic lets casters apply a metamagic feat with a 1 or less slot adjustment to any conjuration spell they cast within 30 ft. It is currently controlled by Shzhuuk, an illithid psion 12 who seeks to turn the powers of the waterfall to his trademark astral constructs. You must pay 8,000 XP to craft it.
Aluroon 06-15-07, 01:29 PM	Temporary artifact? No way to recharge? It's an artifact. Most artifacts are supposed to be really old. This one you just discard? Don't you think that cost is a little too high? 10 spells per day is not worth 1 spell, once, that can be cast in antimagic field. Isn't there a feat that lets you do that? Initiate of Mystra? Even if you're not in SR I couldn't see anyone, ever paying that price. Random idea of a price: You are surrounded by a 10' radius antimagic field which lasts until it absorbs one-tenth as many levels of offensive spells or a Mordenkainen's Disjunction. So to create a 100-spell-slot item it would absorb 10 spell slots. Not even divinity will let you cast spells in this field. To create a thousand spell-slot spell well, you need one eye of the tarrasque and 10,000 gp in emeralds of perfect clarity. One such magic site is a waterfall that somehow deposits brightly and randomly colored stones at the bottom, even though no such stone exists at the top. Its powerful connection to conjuration and other magic lets casters apply a metamagic feat with a 1 or less slot adjustment to any conjuration spell they cast within 30 ft. It is currently controlled by Shzhuuk, an illithid psion 12 who seeks to turn the powers of the waterfall to his trademark astral constructs. You must pay 8,000 XP to craft it. Did you even read it? Direct your attention here. After these spell levels have been used they must be recharged with spell slots expended directly into the item (slots can have a spell in them, but the spell is lost for the day) at a 2-1 basis (i.e. a 2nd level spell would grant a spell well 1 spell level). Expending a spell into a spell well for the purpose of recharging it as a standard action.
BillTheManiac 06-15-07, 03:29 PM	Didn't see that. Still, the item is not worth that much. These are the epic boards. Let's think big. Anti-Antimagic Generator Your 5-foot square cannot be contained in an antimagic field. Casters of Mordenkainen's disjunction must make opposed caster level checks to effect this square.