Magic Items as Art

[commanderFuron]

First let me say, I like high magic settings. SO assuming magic is common and many magic items are available how would they really be sold? My idea is that they would work like fine art. Basically there are several layers:

1 - Non professional - things like minor potions, not quite expertly made things

2 - Prints/copies - anything that is considered to be extremely useful. many people would want copies of the same item.

3 - Professional, starving artist - this would be well crafted original items that are either avante garde or just not in high demand

4 - Professional, commissioned - these would be specific items crafted exactly as the end user wanted

5 - Professional, Masterpieces - these would be items of tremendous value/and/or use, prints and copies of the items may be available but these are superior to those. Maybe the copies are made by lower level apprentices, these are made by the master

7 - Priceless antiquities - artifacts, relics of ancient power, basically anything that would command money that only the richest could hope to have, kings, emperors, lucky adventurers

8 - Fads - items that have less intrinsic value then there cost

9 - Heirlooms

10 - Yard sale

So basically I am trying to work this into a system that would actually be runnable in a game. I feel like you need some tables for availability and cost and things like that but I am not sure where to start.

The goal is to make some magic available without having to take up game time but to make things that are interesting require RP. so like levels 1 and 2 are easy to find. 4 might require some role playing to find a helpful wizard the first time. 5 might be an action or adventure. 7 always an adventure. 8 up to the ck at the time.

[gideon_thorne]

Well, here's two items from an artists perspective.

One. The illuminated manuscript. Think of all the animated pictures at Hogwarts, and lets take it a step further.

1) A means of entertainment, a motion picture book

2) Communications device. The true fantasy 'note book' created by Inter dimensional Bindings and Magic (IBM)

3) The ultimate dedicated reader. A book that never lets a person stop reading

Writing instruments.

1) A magic item that I wrote up as a joke based on one of the descriptions in the PHB. "Gideon THorne's Golden Quil". An art pen or paintbrush that can bring to reality and actual physical presence whatever is drawn or painted with it.

2) Cursed pens for punishment. "I will not tell lies..."

3) The writing instrument could be infused with a geas that prevents anyone signing a contract from breaking it.

The fun can be endless.
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"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley