Poll regarding magic items

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:53 pm

I am not worried about page count, but that does not mean the work should contain unwanted superfluous material which will be unused or not wanted, as the length will, naturally, make an item more costly.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Sat May 30, 2009 12:24 pm

OK -- I just flipped through the treasure section of M&T (hadn't read it, using my own stuff instead) and it seems to pretty much match the format that Greg proposed... so, I suppose for consistency, I'll use the same. It does just get to the point.

And, to that end, a modified version:
Padded Armor of the Padfoot: Composed of expensive fabrics, such as silk and heavy velvet, this dark suit of padded armor provides an Armor Class of 13 and identifies the wearer as a thief, each suit emblazoned with the mark of a guild. Those not of the rogue class gain the Dexterity-based abilities at 1st level of use; rogues gain a +1 bonus instead. GP Value: 2250
Lore: It is whispered in the undercurrents of street rumor that the first suit was manufactured for an aristocrat who dared to delve into the lowlife, eventually succumbing to its lure, becoming a fully fledged master of the craft.
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:53 pm

Not too shabby, hoss. I like how the "Lore" is in a sepreate paragraph, totally ignorable if need be.
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Sun May 31, 2009 1:15 pm

I think that is a great template for magic item write-ups. Though, I still think it might be nice for a few items to have more detail, and some have even less. Just to mix it up a little.
-O
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dachda · Post by **dachda** » Sun May 31, 2009 2:39 pm

I agree, your modified version is a great template. Perfect amount of detail and background for my tastes.
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Sun May 31, 2009 4:25 pm

Omote wrote:
I think that is a great template for magic item write-ups. Though, I still think it might be nice for a few items to have more detail, and some have even less. Just to mix it up a little.
-O

Well said, hoss...my sentiments, exactly!
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Greg Ellis · Post by **Greg Ellis** » Sun May 31, 2009 5:11 pm

Looks really good, Serl.

If you can sneak something more into the Lore section about the guild markings, that might be cool.

"The prominent guild mark on the armor will certainly draw the attention of that guild and also rival guilds."

Something like that.

Sir Osis of Liver · Post by **Sir Osis of Liver** » Sun May 31, 2009 5:23 pm

I'm a big fan of history, especially in the sense of "specialty" items. Are you dealing with a weapon wielded by dwarven miners? That would be an interesting spot to insert the history of the weapon. I think that intelligent items demand a full history. I've doled one such item out for my campaign, but I did it to improve the nature of the RPing. So far, I like what it's done for my game.

Does a +1 longsword need a full history for normal game play? No. If you're looking for a plot hook, the CK can always invent a history for the item.

I think that the need for a full history is contingent on the novelty of the item, especially for a published work.

Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Sun May 31, 2009 7:57 pm

Sir Osis of Liver wrote:
Does a +1 longsword need a full history for normal game play? No. If you're looking for a plot hook, the CK can always invent a history for the item.

I think that the need for a full history is contingent on the novelty of the item, especially for a published work.

Also well said. I am of the same sort - if the item need s history, I give it one. If not, lore is not needed, but could always come in handy if I need it a later point.

And I agree on the (unquoted) point of intelligent items and history.
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