PsiX
2009-06-08, 02:07 PM
I have a campaign set in a world that lacks access to gunpowder and the weapons associated with it, but as the plot begins to move out to sea, I'm finding that I want to come up with a certain 'something' to serve as a replacement for a powder-powered cannon. The default balliste and such are all well and good, but feel like they're lacking a certain 'oomph' that I'd like to have present.
DnD being the magic-strewn game it is, what better to help out than a magic-driven cannon? Along that line I have an idea planned out for general function, but I don't know what sort of pricetag to place upon it.
I got an initial jump-off point by looking at the guidelines set for magic item pricing in the DMG, which I always like to use as a starter. Deciding that my base idea works as a command-activated item, I looked at spell options and felt that Sonic Lance (I believe that's the proper name), a single-target 3rd level sonic spell I found in the Spell Compendium, would work well. So, I figured 3rd level spell, requires level 5 caster minimum, gives us a price of 27,000 GP. Since this item won't be taking up a body slot, obviously, that technically doubles the price to 54,000 GP.
Now, here's where I stop trusting myself to balance things properly: Mitigating Factors. The above pricing would be the technical result of a convenient, hand-held item that throws out the spell at will. However, my idea is for a large, bulky item, truely a cannon, that requires being properly mounted on a ship's weapon mount to really be any good, which I should think should help cut down the price somewhat to go along with the reduced usability - but how much?
I was also considering instigating a delay between shots, a charge-up time or something of the sort, which would prevent chain-firing each round - a pause of 2-3 rounds, perhaps. But again, I don't know how to expect this to affect the final cost.
Any thoughts and suggestions on what others feel would be a sensible, balanced price for the above idea would be very helpful and greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
DnD being the magic-strewn game it is, what better to help out than a magic-driven cannon? Along that line I have an idea planned out for general function, but I don't know what sort of pricetag to place upon it.
I got an initial jump-off point by looking at the guidelines set for magic item pricing in the DMG, which I always like to use as a starter. Deciding that my base idea works as a command-activated item, I looked at spell options and felt that Sonic Lance (I believe that's the proper name), a single-target 3rd level sonic spell I found in the Spell Compendium, would work well. So, I figured 3rd level spell, requires level 5 caster minimum, gives us a price of 27,000 GP. Since this item won't be taking up a body slot, obviously, that technically doubles the price to 54,000 GP.
Now, here's where I stop trusting myself to balance things properly: Mitigating Factors. The above pricing would be the technical result of a convenient, hand-held item that throws out the spell at will. However, my idea is for a large, bulky item, truely a cannon, that requires being properly mounted on a ship's weapon mount to really be any good, which I should think should help cut down the price somewhat to go along with the reduced usability - but how much?
I was also considering instigating a delay between shots, a charge-up time or something of the sort, which would prevent chain-firing each round - a pause of 2-3 rounds, perhaps. But again, I don't know how to expect this to affect the final cost.
Any thoughts and suggestions on what others feel would be a sensible, balanced price for the above idea would be very helpful and greatly appreciated!
Thanks,