Taffimai
2007-10-15, 08:57 AM
I am working on a campaign setting where magic can only work through items (scrolls/wands/...). Of course, items can still only be made/used by classes that could normally cast the spell in the first place (though Use Magic Device still works).
The idea would be that the XP cost for such items no longer exists, but you have to use a "casting" for every charge the item has. An example: a fifth level wizard is making a wand of magic missile. He could normally cast (including bonus spells for high intelligence) 5 first level spells, 3 second level spells and 2 third level spells. 5+(3x2)+(2x3)=17, so the wand has 17 charges of magic missile if he chooses to pour all his magic for that day into the wand. He can add 17 charges the next day. Monetary costs are as per the normal rules. As you can see, he's used higher level spell slots for several lower level spells. This does not work the other way around, so if he were to make a wand of fireball, he'd be limited to 2 charges/day.
I am looking for two things:
a) your input as to why this idea might be horrible, or which game mechanics would need to be looked at, and
b) info (preferably open content) on non-core classes that might work particularly well in this setting. (I'd specifically like to learn more about warforged characters and that arcane class that already revolves around making items - artificers?)
The idea would be that the XP cost for such items no longer exists, but you have to use a "casting" for every charge the item has. An example: a fifth level wizard is making a wand of magic missile. He could normally cast (including bonus spells for high intelligence) 5 first level spells, 3 second level spells and 2 third level spells. 5+(3x2)+(2x3)=17, so the wand has 17 charges of magic missile if he chooses to pour all his magic for that day into the wand. He can add 17 charges the next day. Monetary costs are as per the normal rules. As you can see, he's used higher level spell slots for several lower level spells. This does not work the other way around, so if he were to make a wand of fireball, he'd be limited to 2 charges/day.
I am looking for two things:
a) your input as to why this idea might be horrible, or which game mechanics would need to be looked at, and
b) info (preferably open content) on non-core classes that might work particularly well in this setting. (I'd specifically like to learn more about warforged characters and that arcane class that already revolves around making items - artificers?)