Crafting magic items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Crafting magic items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
gurumare
05-05-07, 11:08 AM Hello, As far as crafting magic arms and armor/wonderous items, it says that I have to pay 1/2 the market price of the item to make it. In the game I am playing, my DM constantly wants to know what I am buying. I cannot just say that I am spending half the money, he needs to know what I am spending it on (ie the components). When you pay that money, are you buying magic powder or crystals or what? He likes to be a pain about it from time to time. If I say, "lets just make it half magic powder and half candles" he will usually respond, "Well there is a magic powder store, but not a candle one." Any ideas from people who usually craft in their campaign? What exactly are you getting when you spend that money? Also, how do you craft if you are not near a town to buy components?

Thanks
Fireclave
05-05-07, 11:47 AM The RAW, baring a few exceptions, is silent on exactly what materials are neccessary for crafting magic items. To make crafting items simple (read: not a pain in the ass), the requirements are left as an abstract representation of gp required to create the item.

Also, I have to call BS on the "Well there is a magic powder store, but not a candle one" line. If a shop catters to spellcasters, it should have (within reason) everything required by spellcasters, including spell components, alchemic reagents, crafting materials, ect. That's like saying there's a grocery store in this town that sells eggs, but no grocery store in this town sells milk.

As for how to craft items when you're not near a town:
The creator also needs a fairly quiet, comfortable, and well-lit place in which to work. Any place suitable for preparing spells is suitable for making items.

So, if you have all of the materials necessary, you can craft magic items nearly anywhere. If you purchase the materials ahead of time, you can continue enchanting your items while you're away from town.

If the DM is requiring you to explictly purchase certain components, he is using a houserule. The only one who can tell you exactly what you need is your DM. However, if your DM doesn't want to tell you, your character, being a high level caster with the knowledge of enchanting magical items, probably knows what to get and where to get it.
Kursk
05-05-07, 11:48 AM Hello, As far as crafting magic arms and armor/wonderous items, it says that I have to pay 1/2 the market price of the item to make it. In the game I am playing, my DM constantly wants to know what I am buying. I cannot just say that I am spending half the money, he needs to know what I am spending it on (ie the components). When you pay that money, are you buying magic powder or crystals or what? He likes to be a pain about it from time to time. If I say, "lets just make it half magic powder and half candles" he will usually respond, "Well there is a magic powder store, but not a candle one." Any ideas from people who usually craft in their campaign? What exactly are you getting when you spend that money? Also, how do you craft if you are not near a town to buy components?

Thanks

Umm, unless he's letting the players make the rules for creating the items, HE needs to tell YOU how it works.
SALDAR
05-05-07, 12:03 PM In the game I am playing, my DM constantly wants to know what I am buying. I cannot just say that I am spending half the money, he needs to know what I am spending it on (ie the components). When you pay that money, are you buying magic powder or crystals or what?
You are spending the money on raw materials. This would include the mundane item and any ingredients needed to infuse the item with magic. The next time he asks what you are buying ask him what raw materials are needed to create the item you are making. He is the DM and if he wants that much detail then it is his job to provide it, not yours. Most people just skip over such specifics.

He likes to be a pain about it from time to time. If I say, "lets just make it half magic powder and half candles" he will usually respond, "Well there is a magic powder store, but not a candle one."
That's strange, since candles are one of the most common items around. They are used by everyone for light, from commoner to king. If there is no candle shop then these people literally live in darkness.

Any ideas from people who usually craft in their campaign?
Such specifics are is not necessary but if your DM wants it it is his job to work it out.

What exactly are you getting when you spend that money?
The necessary items and materials you need.

Also, how do you craft if you are not near a town to buy components?
You don't, unless you are carrying a workshop with you.
Leaf_Mage22
05-07-07, 12:41 PM It really is all up to the DM on how things are created in his world, and what needs to create them. Now if he wants to take it a little easy with his players he will tell them they need these supplies to create a wand, sword, staff etc...; however if he wants to complicate things you will have to do your own research to discover what goes into making the items. Hire someone to build it for you, or find books on the subject in the cities library. Then once you know what your looking for go look for it in the many shops your DM has provided for you, its hard and it can be annoying but think about it your creating your very own item. Now if its a matter of just spending the coin then well if you got it to spend-then just spend the required amount. Next you got to worry about XP if you are willing to spend that on your item.
mvincent
05-07-07, 01:22 PM Your DM is being a pain. Sure, he's probably trying to encourage "role'-playing (and/or develop side-quests), but he's still being a pain.

If he wants excruciating details on making magic items, let him download Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/2/fr_downloads/tsr9535.zip) (for free) from here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads).

Basically, much of the material expense is from using up gemstones and precious metals (both of which you likely already have).

Besides: Magic simply requires expensive special materials. It doesn't necessarily matter what the material is, so long as it's expensive. See, magic is an art rather than a science (and your art supplies cost a lot). The theory is that the magic is more a product of the practitioner's belief than scientific causality (i.e. the "thought is the basis of all reality" notion). And believe me brother, nothing increases your belief like dropping a massload of coin.

Give your DM the link, and if he asks again what materials you are using, ask him to tell you what's available first ; ). If possible, use what you already have (like gems and precious metals), or better yet: use bits from exotic creatures you've recently slain.
BugHunter
05-07-07, 10:15 PM It sounds like he is trying micro-manage the crafting process. If you are trying to make something that requires unique components (mithral, dragon skin or scales) then you will need to have them or buy them.
Magrus
05-08-07, 12:30 AM He's not doing his job right. If he wants you to roleplay getting the material requirements, he needs to make it so you find a way to figure out what they are since they aren't listed. That means he needs to make some up. Not ask you what they are, have you come up with an answer, and then say "oh, you can't get them." That's just nonsense.
Fireclave
05-08-07, 01:41 AM He's not doing his job right. If he wants you to roleplay getting the material requirements, he needs to make it so you find a way to figure out what they are since they aren't listed. That means he needs to make some up. Not ask you what they are, have you come up with an answer, and then say "oh, you can't get them." That's just nonsense.
QFT

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
gurumare 05-05-07, 11:08 AM	Hello, As far as crafting magic arms and armor/wonderous items, it says that I have to pay 1/2 the market price of the item to make it. In the game I am playing, my DM constantly wants to know what I am buying. I cannot just say that I am spending half the money, he needs to know what I am spending it on (ie the components). When you pay that money, are you buying magic powder or crystals or what? He likes to be a pain about it from time to time. If I say, "lets just make it half magic powder and half candles" he will usually respond, "Well there is a magic powder store, but not a candle one." Any ideas from people who usually craft in their campaign? What exactly are you getting when you spend that money? Also, how do you craft if you are not near a town to buy components? Thanks
Fireclave 05-05-07, 11:47 AM	The RAW, baring a few exceptions, is silent on exactly what materials are neccessary for crafting magic items. To make crafting items simple (read: not a pain in the ass), the requirements are left as an abstract representation of gp required to create the item. Also, I have to call BS on the "Well there is a magic powder store, but not a candle one" line. If a shop catters to spellcasters, it should have (within reason) everything required by spellcasters, including spell components, alchemic reagents, crafting materials, ect. That's like saying there's a grocery store in this town that sells eggs, but no grocery store in this town sells milk. As for how to craft items when you're not near a town: The creator also needs a fairly quiet, comfortable, and well-lit place in which to work. Any place suitable for preparing spells is suitable for making items. So, if you have all of the materials necessary, you can craft magic items nearly anywhere. If you purchase the materials ahead of time, you can continue enchanting your items while you're away from town. If the DM is requiring you to explictly purchase certain components, he is using a houserule. The only one who can tell you exactly what you need is your DM. However, if your DM doesn't want to tell you, your character, being a high level caster with the knowledge of enchanting magical items, probably knows what to get and where to get it.
Kursk 05-05-07, 11:48 AM	Hello, As far as crafting magic arms and armor/wonderous items, it says that I have to pay 1/2 the market price of the item to make it. In the game I am playing, my DM constantly wants to know what I am buying. I cannot just say that I am spending half the money, he needs to know what I am spending it on (ie the components). When you pay that money, are you buying magic powder or crystals or what? He likes to be a pain about it from time to time. If I say, "lets just make it half magic powder and half candles" he will usually respond, "Well there is a magic powder store, but not a candle one." Any ideas from people who usually craft in their campaign? What exactly are you getting when you spend that money? Also, how do you craft if you are not near a town to buy components? Thanks Umm, unless he's letting the players make the rules for creating the items, HE needs to tell YOU how it works.
SALDAR 05-05-07, 12:03 PM	In the game I am playing, my DM constantly wants to know what I am buying. I cannot just say that I am spending half the money, he needs to know what I am spending it on (ie the components). When you pay that money, are you buying magic powder or crystals or what? You are spending the money on raw materials. This would include the mundane item and any ingredients needed to infuse the item with magic. The next time he asks what you are buying ask him what raw materials are needed to create the item you are making. He is the DM and if he wants that much detail then it is his job to provide it, not yours. Most people just skip over such specifics. He likes to be a pain about it from time to time. If I say, "lets just make it half magic powder and half candles" he will usually respond, "Well there is a magic powder store, but not a candle one." That's strange, since candles are one of the most common items around. They are used by everyone for light, from commoner to king. If there is no candle shop then these people literally live in darkness. Any ideas from people who usually craft in their campaign? Such specifics are is not necessary but if your DM wants it it is his job to work it out. What exactly are you getting when you spend that money? The necessary items and materials you need. Also, how do you craft if you are not near a town to buy components? You don't, unless you are carrying a workshop with you.
Leaf_Mage22 05-07-07, 12:41 PM	It really is all up to the DM on how things are created in his world, and what needs to create them. Now if he wants to take it a little easy with his players he will tell them they need these supplies to create a wand, sword, staff etc...; however if he wants to complicate things you will have to do your own research to discover what goes into making the items. Hire someone to build it for you, or find books on the subject in the cities library. Then once you know what your looking for go look for it in the many shops your DM has provided for you, its hard and it can be annoying but think about it your creating your very own item. Now if its a matter of just spending the coin then well if you got it to spend-then just spend the required amount. Next you got to worry about XP if you are willing to spend that on your item.
mvincent 05-07-07, 01:22 PM	Your DM is being a pain. Sure, he's probably trying to encourage "role'-playing (and/or develop side-quests), but he's still being a pain. If he wants excruciating details on making magic items, let him download Volo's Guide to All Things Magical (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/2/fr_downloads/tsr9535.zip) (for free) from here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads). Basically, much of the material expense is from using up gemstones and precious metals (both of which you likely already have). Besides: Magic simply requires expensive special materials. It doesn't necessarily matter what the material is, so long as it's expensive. See, magic is an art rather than a science (and your art supplies cost a lot). The theory is that the magic is more a product of the practitioner's belief than scientific causality (i.e. the "thought is the basis of all reality" notion). And believe me brother, nothing increases your belief like dropping a massload of coin. Give your DM the link, and if he asks again what materials you are using, ask him to tell you what's available first ; ). If possible, use what you already have (like gems and precious metals), or better yet: use bits from exotic creatures you've recently slain.
BugHunter 05-07-07, 10:15 PM	It sounds like he is trying micro-manage the crafting process. If you are trying to make something that requires unique components (mithral, dragon skin or scales) then you will need to have them or buy them.
Magrus 05-08-07, 12:30 AM	He's not doing his job right. If he wants you to roleplay getting the material requirements, he needs to make it so you find a way to figure out what they are since they aren't listed. That means he needs to make some up. Not ask you what they are, have you come up with an answer, and then say "oh, you can't get them." That's just nonsense.
Fireclave 05-08-07, 01:41 AM	He's not doing his job right. If he wants you to roleplay getting the material requirements, he needs to make it so you find a way to figure out what they are since they aren't listed. That means he needs to make some up. Not ask you what they are, have you come up with an answer, and then say "oh, you can't get them." That's just nonsense. QFT