Dentarthur
2010-08-31, 08:43 AM
So I've always had a problem with the way D&D characters are dependent on finding/making magic items. I'd like to do away with the heroes' dependence on magic items completely (something like Iron Heroes), but that's quite a sweeping change to the system, and I'm not up for it.
Instead, I'm dreaming up ways to let PCs get magic items via deeds, instead of loot and gold. Here's what crossed my mind the other day:
The Theory: Most magic items are not made by wealth, but by legendary deeds. A soldier could go into battle with a regular short sword; but if he heroically defends his comrades against a legion of orcs, then when he passes that short sword on to his kids, it will be a +1 Orc-bane.
The Goal: PCs should have their gear transform into magical gear as they level up. It should follow roughly the same progression as the standard treasure packages, i.e. five magic items at each level for a party of five, leveled 0-5 above the party.
The Rule: Let players turn their gear into magic gear, or increase its level, every time they level up. When a PC gains a level, she chooses one non-magical item she owns, or a magical item that is lower than her new level. She may then upgrade that item, as if using the Enchant Magic Item ritual, but without spending any ritual components. The character does not have to be capable of casting rituals, and the limit on the item's new level is 5 above its previous level, even if that is higher than the PC's level. If the item was nonmagical, it can become a magic item up to level 5.
The only problem I see is in getting items that don't have a version every 5 levels. I suppose the party could always just Enchant Magic Item make, say, Handy Haversacks, but I'm not sure how much that's going to screw with the wealth level.
As far as loot goes, you use the same treasure packages as normal, except without the 5 magic items at each level. You might even want to give out a bit less loot, as letting the players choose the exact properties of every item can give them a power boost over the current system.
So what do you think? I'm always open to improvements.
Instead, I'm dreaming up ways to let PCs get magic items via deeds, instead of loot and gold. Here's what crossed my mind the other day:
The Theory: Most magic items are not made by wealth, but by legendary deeds. A soldier could go into battle with a regular short sword; but if he heroically defends his comrades against a legion of orcs, then when he passes that short sword on to his kids, it will be a +1 Orc-bane.
The Goal: PCs should have their gear transform into magical gear as they level up. It should follow roughly the same progression as the standard treasure packages, i.e. five magic items at each level for a party of five, leveled 0-5 above the party.
The Rule: Let players turn their gear into magic gear, or increase its level, every time they level up. When a PC gains a level, she chooses one non-magical item she owns, or a magical item that is lower than her new level. She may then upgrade that item, as if using the Enchant Magic Item ritual, but without spending any ritual components. The character does not have to be capable of casting rituals, and the limit on the item's new level is 5 above its previous level, even if that is higher than the PC's level. If the item was nonmagical, it can become a magic item up to level 5.
The only problem I see is in getting items that don't have a version every 5 levels. I suppose the party could always just Enchant Magic Item make, say, Handy Haversacks, but I'm not sure how much that's going to screw with the wealth level.
As far as loot goes, you use the same treasure packages as normal, except without the 5 magic items at each level. You might even want to give out a bit less loot, as letting the players choose the exact properties of every item can give them a power boost over the current system.
So what do you think? I'm always open to improvements.