Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Stormbrand 12-27-06, 04:41 PM	The time has come for my high level character to make some new magic items. Currently his main equipment is a +3 greatsword & +2 full plate. I'm hoping to make his new gear more interesting. In the style of DMG2, I am looking to empower the new items through rituals and deeds. In part to generate new quest hooks and in part to substitute some of the gp/XP cost. The character is a powerful Paladin-Sorcerer with the backing of most of his church, he has resources for this, and would have no problem calling in aid from extra-planar powers. So what I am looking for is some ideas on the gear to make, the kind of enchantments on it (general effect more important than powers themselves), and some ideas of the deeds to enchant the items. Current thoughts: Watchtalon Sentient +4 lawful greatsword (I am also looking for an enchantment which simulates extra pain on a hit - wounding?) Looking at the weapon, no one would even consider this in the hands of a paladin. Dark grip and ricasso, a sharp-tipped crossguard and killing hooks. The pommel is a simple metal sphere, yet gazing in one sees an image unlike the expected reflection. Crimson lightning flashing within a dark stormcloud. Originally a Chaotic Evil intelligent blade, the feared sword Wrathtalon, in the possession of a half-fiend champion serving a demonologist. The weapon was claimed by the paladin after defeating the champion in battle. The demonologist was slain through more subtle measures - a number of wards were placed on his tower... The Abjurant Champion could have dispelled or destroyed the wards and magic traps, instead he reprogrammed them to let him past and to react to their original creator. Now used in the cause of Helm, the sword was renamed and re-enchanted to better suit the hands of a paladin. The sentience remained, although the sword was regularly blessed, it was really hard work and stubborn virtue which changed the sword's alignment. Eventually, the sword gained an appreciation for fairness and honour. One spell-like ability of the sword is a form of Clairvoyance, using the pommel of the sword as a scrying device. Most of it's previous abilities are intact, and it will have a few other spell-like powers, but I have not thought them out in detail. The other gear I have less ideas about. These are my thoughts so far. Armour: - Full plate, naturally. - Very noticeable. Easily recognisable on a confusing battlefield. - Against the typical "knight in shining armour" image of paladins. I am thinking red and bronze or red & dark grey. - Twilight Armour of some description (for Sorcerer spells). - An unconventional metal. Perhaps planar? Cloak: - Wards off evil spirits and intent. - Involves the aid of inevitables? - Red cloth bearing the eye-and-gauntlet of Helm. - Related to the Aura of Courage? Channels effects through that? 1) What do people think of my ideas so far? 2) Do you have any ideas of your own for these? The kind of qualities I should go for? Things that would be dramatic and interesting. 3) Enchantment quests? Journeying to specific places or doing specific deeds? Before anyone mentions Legacy Items, I dislike the rules for the items themselves - I can just add enchantments as I go up in level. But the story and feel behind the items is what I am looking for. Thanks.
Stormbrand 12-30-06, 08:58 PM	Bump. Bump. Bump already!
Elolad 01-01-07, 12:52 AM	I think your sword idea is fine so I won't touch it... For the armor however, see what you think of this... +2 Full Plate Mail of Arcanothax History: The unbridled, arcane power wielded by the legendary red dragon Arcanothax wrought destruction throughout the realm of (insert region name here). His knowledge of runes and their inherent powers were well documented by those who somehow survived their encounters with the ancient dragon. It was said that every scale on his body was emblazoned with a rune of power and they bolstered the casting of his sorcerer spells to incredible proportions. Arcanothax may have continued to wreak havoc on the land for thousands of years to come if it weren't for a dwarven runesmith named Valin Irongrave. One fateful day, Valin and his fellow companions stumbled upon Arcanothax's lair and awakened the dragon. Four of his companions were killed in that battle before Valin made an interesting discovery. In the midst of the fight, he deciphered the runes adorning the great dragon's armor and was able to release their magic in a deadly chain reaction that caused the beast to explode with arcane power. Valin was consumed in the blast but he had saved the lives of the remaining two members of his party. They gathered what was left of Valin's adamantine armor and many of the large red dragon scales. Upon returning to (insert city name here) they used a a large portion of the dragon's treasure horde to commission an armorsmith/sorcerer to ensorcel the two armors together. The resulting armor has the following benefits: DR/2 (normally DR/3 but the whole suit is not adamantine) Spell Failure reduced from normal 35% to 10% Bonus 4th level Spell* Bonus 5th level Spell* *Wearer may choose one of the following meta magic feats: Quicken, Empower, or Extend and apply it to any one of the spells in his repetoire. The meta-magicked spell then takes up one of the bonus slots listed above. He may only pick two spells each day. These spells are then depicted as runes on his chest (one on each pectoral) and can be activated by casting the spell with a verbal component only. No ideas for the cloak right now...
Stormbrand 01-01-07, 03:10 PM	Cool! That is definately the kind of thing I was looking for! Thanks and I am well-impressed. Just a few questions - the bonus stored spells, does the metamagic feat count in the level of the stored spell? - How would the character acquire the armour? He could enchant it, but what claim would he have? I really like the item, but I'm not sure how it would find it's way into the character's hands. Thanks. Lesser fire resistance would also be appropriate from the red dragon parts, and the enhancement bonus will probably be gradually improved, but you have a great concept there.
Elolad 01-01-07, 09:22 PM	I would think you have to include the increased cost of the spell for being meta-magicked. Like a quickened Melf's Acid Arrow would take the 5th level slot, etc. Fell free to increase/decrease these powers as they fit your campaign. Fire resistance 5 or 10 would not be inappropriate either. It's really up to you how your paladin came across this armor. I don't know the history of your campaign with this character so I couldn't make any assumptions really.
Stormbrand 01-01-07, 11:54 PM	Thanks. That's a damn fine item. Unfortunately the campaign history is pretty much useless, since the character changed campaigns because of the DM being lazy. Anyway, useful history is the character is a knight in Tethyr currently serving in the church of Helm, he has some exotic duties regarding containing dangerous magic items, keeping a major demon imprisoned and such. He also commands "the Enforcers" (inevitables). I'll try thinking of ideas how he would get that armour, but anyone who can help please chip in. I doubt his order would recieve the armour since it is mainly useful to mages. Perhaps the benefits of the armour were unknown before they were ensorcelled together? At which point it would be discovered the armour was perhaps less use to the two survivors?
Stormbrand 01-24-07, 08:30 PM	Had a thought for the cloak, please give opinions. Iron Cloak of War Forged as much as woven, gears make up much of this cloak. Trails of blue glyphs form the space between various gears and parts. The gears themselves are active, turning silently and sending faint gleaming currents along the glyph-trails of the cloak. Many would think this garment a machine. Many would be right. Strangely enough, this cloak is made of leather with metal sewn in much like scale mail. The patterns formed of the blue glyph-trails are inscribed on the face of the metal scales. As hinted by the prominently displayed Eye-and-Gauntlet of Helm, this cloak serves to ward against evil spirits and intent. Many of the innate dangers of such things are rendered meaningless. Much to the disappointment of bards, this item features minimal history. It was simply a tool enchanted by a sorcerous knight to aid in his duties. However, during the process of enchantment, planar entities contributed to the creation. Inevitables. Powers; (still under consideration, thinking of adding non-physical construct-like traits) - Permanent Negative Energy Protection effect (possible protection from paralysis as well). - Permanent Cloak of Fear effect. - Enhanced Turn Undead (+2 turning level). - Modified Sanctuary vs Undead & Outsiders, or varient Protection from Chaos, or the Slow from Shield of Law against them.
The WarOverlord 01-24-07, 11:55 PM	The time has come for my high level character to make some new magic items. Currently his main equipment is a +3 greatsword & +2 full plate. I'm hoping to make his new gear more interesting. In the style of DMG2, I am looking to empower the new items through rituals and deeds. In part to generate new quest hooks and in part to substitute some of the gp/XP cost. The character is a powerful Paladin-Sorcerer with the backing of most of his church, he has resources for this, and would have no problem calling in aid from extra-planar powers. So what I am looking for is some ideas on the gear to make, the kind of enchantments on it (general effect more important than powers themselves), and some ideas of the deeds to enchant the items. Current thoughts: Watchtalon Sentient +4 lawful greatsword (I am also looking for an enchantment which simulates extra pain on a hit - wounding?) Looking at the weapon, no one would even consider this in the hands of a paladin. Dark grip and ricasso, a sharp-tipped crossguard and killing hooks. The pommel is a simple metal sphere, yet gazing in one sees an image unlike the expected reflection. Crimson lightning flashing within a dark stormcloud. Originally a Chaotic Evil intelligent blade, the feared sword Wrathtalon, in the possession of a half-fiend champion serving a demonologist. The weapon was claimed by the paladin after defeating the champion in battle. The demonologist was slain through more subtle measures - a number of wards were placed on his tower... The Abjurant Champion could have dispelled or destroyed the wards and magic traps, instead he reprogrammed them to let him past and to react to their original creator. Now used in the cause of Helm, the sword was renamed and re-enchanted to better suit the hands of a paladin. The sentience remained, although the sword was regularly blessed, it was really hard work and stubborn virtue which changed the sword's alignment. Eventually, the sword gained an appreciation for fairness and honour. One spell-like ability of the sword is a form of Clairvoyance, using the pommel of the sword as a scrying device. Most of it's previous abilities are intact, and it will have a few other spell-like powers, but I have not thought them out in detail. The other gear I have less ideas about. These are my thoughts so far. Armour: - Full plate, naturally. - Very noticeable. Easily recognisable on a confusing battlefield. - Against the typical "knight in shining armour" image of paladins. I am thinking red and bronze or red & dark grey. - Twilight Armour of some description (for Sorcerer spells). - An unconventional metal. Perhaps planar? Cloak: - Wards off evil spirits and intent. - Involves the aid of inevitables? - Red cloth bearing the eye-and-gauntlet of Helm. - Related to the Aura of Courage? Channels effects through that? 1) What do people think of my ideas so far? 2) Do you have any ideas of your own for these? The kind of qualities I should go for? Things that would be dramatic and interesting. 3) Enchantment quests? Journeying to specific places or doing specific deeds? Before anyone mentions Legacy Items, I dislike the rules for the items themselves - I can just add enchantments as I go up in level. But the story and feel behind the items is what I am looking for. Thanks. Causing Pain is an "evil Act" so there should be no wounding effec or the like on the sword. The Cloak is a combo "protection from evil" and "protection from fear" thigh amplifying the Paladins Aura of Corage and leadership abilities is a unique property...or could even be a Phychological one in seeing the Cloak with the Symbol of Helm on it identifying the wearer as a Paladin to even a causual viewer. Maybe Blackrock composite armor if not Mensite composite Armor. Both are good at channeling magic and wouldn't give a penalty in wearing them. (Mensite being a type of "moon metal") and Blackrock being a black metal usually found near Gold that comes translucent when subjected to magic or electricity in it's raw form (Explodes like a bomb when magic and electricity hits it simultaneously in it's raw form) Added Benifit of Mensite is that it provides protection from Psionic Attacks as well as cancells out sonic attacks in it's "composite form". Blackrock Composite on the other hand not only lets the wearer cast spells but spells cast at the wearer have a 50% chance of there effects being cancelled out by the Armor which will shimmer blue for a second then...nothing. (Includes Area effefcts. In both cases the Armor is very hard and the only place to wound the wearer is at the joints with Slashing weapons or piercing weapons (90% slashing/piercing immunity). Blunt weapons do damage 1/2 the time (50% bludgeoning immunity)
Stormbrand 01-26-07, 04:43 PM	Causing Pain is an "evil Act" so there should be no wounding effec or the like on the sword. The Cloak is a combo "protection from evil" and "protection from fear" thigh amplifying the Paladins Aura of Corage and leadership abilities is a unique property...or could even be a Phychological one in seeing the Cloak with the Symbol of Helm on it identifying the wearer as a Paladin to even a causual viewer. Maybe Blackrock composite armor if not Mensite composite Armor. Both are good at channeling magic and wouldn't give a penalty in wearing them. (Mensite being a type of "moon metal") and Blackrock being a black metal usually found near Gold that comes translucent when subjected to magic or electricity in it's raw form (Explodes like a bomb when magic and electricity hits it simultaneously in it's raw form) Added Benifit of Mensite is that it provides protection from Psionic Attacks as well as cancells out sonic attacks in it's "composite form". Blackrock Composite on the other hand not only lets the wearer cast spells but spells cast at the wearer have a 50% chance of there effects being cancelled out by the Armor which will shimmer blue for a second then...nothing. (Includes Area effefcts. In both cases the Armor is very hard and the only place to wound the wearer is at the joints with Slashing weapons or piercing weapons (90% slashing/piercing immunity). Blunt weapons do damage 1/2 the time (50% bludgeoning immunity) I wanted one of the sword's abilities to reflect that it's dark beginnings. I have never heard of Blackrock or Mensite. Reading the abilities, they seem munchkiny. I know % damage immunity does not happen in 3rd Ed or 3.5. I'm pretty sure it would be illegal in game terms. Unfortunately there is also no flavour to the materials either. Most of what I am looking for is flavour - something to make the gear more unique and distinctive than a set of powers. I'm pretty well sold on the Arcanothax Plate Mail. My main goal is finding some way to explain acquiring it.
The WarOverlord 01-27-07, 02:41 AM	I wanted one of the sword's abilities to reflect that it's dark beginnings. I have never heard of Blackrock or Mensite. Reading the abilities, they seem munchkiny. I know % damage immunity does not happen in 3rd Ed or 3.5. I'm pretty sure it would be illegal in game terms. Unfortunately there is also no flavour to the materials either. Most of what I am looking for is flavour - something to make the gear more unique and distinctive than a set of powers. I'm pretty well sold on the Arcanothax Plate Mail. My main goal is finding some way to explain acquiring it. Well. good Plate mail of any kind is hard to penatrate, othewise it isn't good plate mail....lol And no, there are no "powers" in mensite and Blackrock, that is just the properties of those "Exoctic Rocks" and actually finding the stuff is the real problem. likewise without compositing the materials with "other metals" (and finding a blacksmith or Armorer that knows how to workwith the stuff) is similar to the Elves making Minthral Mail and the Drow with their Magical Armor that decays in sunlight...Blackrock is as brittle as volcanic glass by itself and Mensite is as soft as pure gold by itself. as far as Arcanothax Plate Mail it is just a manner of killing one of those things and finding a smith (leathersmith or General Armorer) to make the Armor. Killing the thing without damaging the "materials" to much is the trick