A Wizard's Item of Power

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

zombiegleemax

Sep 26, 2003 17:26:04
Since Wizards of High Sorcery automatically get a magic item worth 2000-4000 stl, what do you choose for your wizard? Or do you not even get to choose (the DM does it for you)?
#2

baron_the_curse

Sep 26, 2003 17:30:09
It's all up to the DM.
#3

zombiegleemax

Sep 26, 2003 17:53:35
If you have to find the powers out as part of your training it wouldn't make any sense to let YOU chose it, now would it?
#4

shugi

Sep 26, 2003 17:56:41
I think the best way to do this is to give an item whose worth is 2k-4k when the WoHS gets it, but whose value will increase later.

Let's take this further, using Raistlin & the Staff of Magius. Raist passes the Test, becomes a wiz4/WoHS1 and gets the staff. He discovers that the clawed end of the staff is a +1 weapon, and that he can cast feather fall 1/day and light at will.

Raist advances to 7th level, and discovers that the staff's feather fall power is usable at will.

At 9th level, Raist discovers that the staff is a +2 weapon now, and gives him a +1 deflection bonus to AC.

At 11th level, that deflection bonus increases to +3.

And so on, and so on...

One argument against this is that the WoHS can sell his item, which is worth more to other high-level wizards. The simple explanation is that the item is tied to that wizard, and cannot be used by another without extensive research. Optionally, very few wizards would buy something that another wizard received from the Test -- it's kinda disrespectful.
#5

daedavias_dup

Sep 26, 2003 22:13:35
Originally posted by Shugi
I think the best way to do this is to give an item whose worth is 2k-4k when the WoHS gets it, but whose value will increase later.

Let's take this further, using Raistlin & the Staff of Magius. Raist passes the Test, becomes a wiz4/WoHS1 and gets the staff. He discovers that the clawed end of the staff is a +1 weapon, and that he can cast feather fall 1/day and light at will.

Raist advances to 7th level, and discovers that the staff's feather fall power is usable at will.

At 9th level, Raist discovers that the staff is a +2 weapon now, and gives him a +1 deflection bonus to AC.

At 11th level, that deflection bonus increases to +3.

And so on, and so on...

One argument against this is that the WoHS can sell his item, which is worth more to other high-level wizards. The simple explanation is that the item is tied to that wizard, and cannot be used by another without extensive research. Optionally, very few wizards would buy something that another wizard received from the Test -- it's kinda disrespectful.

Whoa, are we talking about the official staff here, cuz if so give it another read...

I do use the power scaling with the items though, it only seems proper, since the item is kinda meant to tailor itself to the owner.
#6

zombiegleemax

Sep 28, 2003 18:22:02
I have a guy who I gave a simple Quarterstaff +1, with the added ability that it can, 1/day, increase his caster level by 1 for one spell. A little extra bang for his buck, when he needs that extra magic missile, or needs to make something last another round or minute.
#7

slwoyach_dup

Sep 29, 2003 13:53:44
I like the idea of the item's power increasing with the caster level. I think I'll use that.
#8

shugi

Sep 29, 2003 15:11:50
Originally posted by Daedavias
Whoa, are we talking about the official staff here, cuz if so give it another read...

I do use the power scaling with the items though, it only seems proper, since the item is kinda meant to tailor itself to the owner.

It's a quick & dirty example but yes, the example is talking about the staff. Think of it this way -- the Staff is worth 2k-4k to Raistlin when he receives it, since he's unable to use its other powers until his power grows (using the system I described).

This way, a wizard's item of power won't simply last him 2-3 levels until he feels like selling it off. It represents a closer connection to the wizard's art.
#9

daedavias_dup

Sep 29, 2003 16:09:38
Originally posted by Shugi
This way, a wizard's item of power won't simply last him 2-3 levels until he feels like selling it off. It represents a closer connection to the wizard's art.

I agree whole-heartedly, but it all must be done in secret.
#10

darthsylver

Sep 29, 2003 18:19:53
Something that I like doing is giving the wizard an item of power in which even the council is not fully aware of the powers the item has. THey give the item to a new member, let the member discover the item's powers over time and keep a close eye on the member. THis allows the council to discover the items powers from a safe distance (as generally new members do not stay at the tower). It is also a way for the council to measure the member's growing power level. If the member is good or neutral then there is a good chance the member will tell the council the item's powers anyway. If the member is evil the black robe leader learns whether the member can hide anything from by scrying on the member.
#11

zombiegleemax

Sep 29, 2003 21:08:01
I think the book coming out on WoHS will have a section on this, probably rules for the test and tables showing the power of the item given according to how well a student did in said test.
#12

zombiegleemax

Oct 01, 2003 10:23:55
i wqish that they would release the book on High sorcery soon!