Artifact Creation [Archive] - Wizards Community

Artifact Creation [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
TheMrBlack
08-20-04, 10:12 AM Hey gang, me again, I have a character that wants to create an artifact scale item

The item would be either a helm or amulet that would have alot of powers imbued into it, such as AC adjustment (as an amulet of natural armor) plus I want it to be able to not just control undead, but to enable them to grow in power, so it would awaken undead and make them feel "friendly" towards the wearer, as if they were followers or henchmen.

anyone have any ideas about spells involved and what not?

Oh the character is a cleric.
CzarGarrett
08-20-04, 10:25 AM I'm not entirely sure, but I thought artifacts were only able to be created by deities?
Drachasor
08-20-04, 11:02 AM Originally posted by TheMrBlack
Hey gang, me again, I have a character that wants to create an artifact scale item

The item would be either a helm or amulet that would have alot of powers imbued into it, such as AC adjustment (as an amulet of natural armor) plus I want it to be able to not just control undead, but to enable them to grow in power, so it would awaken undead and make them feel "friendly" towards the wearer, as if they were followers or henchmen.

anyone have any ideas about spells involved and what not?

Oh the character is a cleric.

I think it would need:

Create Greater Undead
Barkskin (they'd need a Druid's help or research a Clerical spell that gives natural armor--which should be 2nd or 3rd level)
I assume they are evil and can turn and rebuke undead, they'd need that ability (or the Wizard spell "Control Undead"

Now, if he wants an AC adjustment of +4 Natural Armor, that will cost 32,000 GP

Creat Greater Undead (which I shall assume will be 20th level for the most powerful type), is 20 * 8 * 750 = 120,000
IMHO, this would potentially allow him to turn one of his undead into a Devourer or less, once each day (this pricing might be too low, I multiplied the cost of one charge/day by 5 for the odd effect).

As for controlling, well, I'd use his class ability for that, and have the helmet grant a +5 bonus on his controlling roll....

25 * 2000 = 50,000 (If he wanted something more, then it would cost astronomically higher and you could easily rule it as not allowable).

So the costs are (120,000 * 2 + 50,000 * 1.5 + 32,000 * 1.5) * 1.5
(multi-use, different abilities taking up an item slot, items after the first are 50% more expensive, and the first is twice as expensive. Also, the entire thing uses an "unnappropriate slot for the abilities, so it is 50% more expensive)....

that's 544,500 GP, which is 21,700 experience... (even if you don't increase the cost of the Create Greater Undead ability, it still costs over 10,000 experience).

-Drachasor
Fixxxer
08-20-04, 02:42 PM Originally posted by CzarGarrett
I'm not entirely sure, but I thought artifacts were only able to be created by deities?

Not always. Most artifacts were created by mortals, but the method of their creation has simply been lost over time. The normal assumption is that artifacts are of a level of power that can no longer be achieved by mortals, however once games start reaching epic status, artifact creation isn't much more complicated than magic item creation is at low levels.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TheMrBlack 08-20-04, 10:12 AM	Hey gang, me again, I have a character that wants to create an artifact scale item The item would be either a helm or amulet that would have alot of powers imbued into it, such as AC adjustment (as an amulet of natural armor) plus I want it to be able to not just control undead, but to enable them to grow in power, so it would awaken undead and make them feel "friendly" towards the wearer, as if they were followers or henchmen. anyone have any ideas about spells involved and what not? Oh the character is a cleric.
CzarGarrett 08-20-04, 10:25 AM	I'm not entirely sure, but I thought artifacts were only able to be created by deities?
Drachasor 08-20-04, 11:02 AM	Originally posted by TheMrBlack Hey gang, me again, I have a character that wants to create an artifact scale item The item would be either a helm or amulet that would have alot of powers imbued into it, such as AC adjustment (as an amulet of natural armor) plus I want it to be able to not just control undead, but to enable them to grow in power, so it would awaken undead and make them feel "friendly" towards the wearer, as if they were followers or henchmen. anyone have any ideas about spells involved and what not? Oh the character is a cleric. I think it would need: Create Greater Undead Barkskin (they'd need a Druid's help or research a Clerical spell that gives natural armor--which should be 2nd or 3rd level) I assume they are evil and can turn and rebuke undead, they'd need that ability (or the Wizard spell "Control Undead" Now, if he wants an AC adjustment of +4 Natural Armor, that will cost 32,000 GP Creat Greater Undead (which I shall assume will be 20th level for the most powerful type), is 20 * 8 * 750 = 120,000 IMHO, this would potentially allow him to turn one of his undead into a Devourer or less, once each day (this pricing might be too low, I multiplied the cost of one charge/day by 5 for the odd effect). As for controlling, well, I'd use his class ability for that, and have the helmet grant a +5 bonus on his controlling roll.... 25 * 2000 = 50,000 (If he wanted something more, then it would cost astronomically higher and you could easily rule it as not allowable). So the costs are (120,000 * 2 + 50,000 * 1.5 + 32,000 * 1.5) * 1.5 (multi-use, different abilities taking up an item slot, items after the first are 50% more expensive, and the first is twice as expensive. Also, the entire thing uses an "unnappropriate slot for the abilities, so it is 50% more expensive).... that's 544,500 GP, which is 21,700 experience... (even if you don't increase the cost of the Create Greater Undead ability, it still costs over 10,000 experience). -Drachasor
Fixxxer 08-20-04, 02:42 PM	Originally posted by CzarGarrett I'm not entirely sure, but I thought artifacts were only able to be created by deities? Not always. Most artifacts were created by mortals, but the method of their creation has simply been lost over time. The normal assumption is that artifacts are of a level of power that can no longer be achieved by mortals, however once games start reaching epic status, artifact creation isn't much more complicated than magic item creation is at low levels.