Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 pyromage2012_dup Jul 18, 2004 23:02:36	Are there any official Greyhawk adventures that have Staff of the Magi as treasure? If so, what ones?
#2 Mortepierre Jul 19, 2004 2:47:29	Well, it's not exactly an "adventure" but Kermin Mind-Bender (of the Greater Boneheart of Iuz) has one (only 13 charges left though). Good luck trying to take it from him though :D Karoolck (Ivid's court mage) also had one. There is no telling what happened to it when Rauxes turned into an interplanar battlefield. The main problem is that a Staff of the Magi wasn't an artefact back in 1E/2E. So, assuming one module did have one as part of the treasure, any DM updating it to 3E should replace it by something less .. ah .. "unique". EDIT: I remember there is at least one in the ruins of Castle Greyhawk (that's module WGR1 Greyhawk Ruins ). It was in .. hmm .. the Tower of Power if I am not mistaken. Given that's Zagyg's castle, that's one of the few places where I would actually consider placing one as "treasure".
#3 zombiegleemax Jul 19, 2004 6:41:26	The one in Greyhawk Ruins is actually an intelligent item. Tenser had one. There was a broken one in the Tomb of Horrors. Scott
#4 Elendur Jul 19, 2004 10:52:20	Where is Kermin from? (ie which published supplement).
#5 Mortepierre Jul 19, 2004 11:18:47	WGR5 Iuz the Evil
#6 cwslyclgh Jul 19, 2004 11:42:41	The main problem is that a Staff of the Magi wasn't an artefact back in 1E/2E. So, assuming one module did have one as part of the treasure, any DM updating it to 3E should replace it by something less .. ah .. "unique". the lesser artifact catagory in 3e are not unique items, they are just powerful items that they decided for some reason that they did not want to allow PC's to beable to make... they are not true artefacts and there are multiple copies of said items in the world.
#7 Mortepierre Jul 19, 2004 16:46:33	I know that. Perhaps "rare" would have been a better word than "unique" Still, while not unique, lesser artefacts remain something you don't find quite often. I certainly wouldn't consider it for the treasure hoard of any monster beneath a CR16+ value.
#8 cwslyclgh Jul 19, 2004 18:18:36	I quite agree with this sentiment
#9 grodog Jul 19, 2004 23:22:30	Originally posted by ScottyG There was a broken [staff of the magi] in the Tomb of Horrors. I've always wondered if that was a tribute to a retributive strike performed in the room by some MU PC in the original Greyhawk campaign, back in the day....
#10 zombiegleemax Jul 22, 2004 15:39:30	I dont like that 3.0 has made this a major artifact. I liked when you used to be able to find or buy one.:D
#11 Mortepierre Jul 22, 2004 15:49:51	Minor artifact actually, and given its powers I can understand why they would wish to make it rare ;)
#12 zombiegleemax Jul 23, 2004 14:33:38	They maybe powerful items but that is why people want them. A staff of power is a poor second to a staff of the magi.
#13 Mortepierre Jul 23, 2004 16:54:52	Well, look at it this way .. It's the fact that they are rare that draws players to them. If you could buy them by the dozen on every market, what would be the point? Not to mention that would be highly illogical given the level of power required to create one... Unless you're playing in a very high magic world of course
#14 zombiegleemax Jul 29, 2004 11:15:41	THat is true, but it would be nice to see a few more on the books!
#15 Mortepierre Jul 29, 2004 12:17:45	You know, the strength of this game is that DM are fully in charge, whatever is written (or not) in a given module. If you really want one AND you're certain your character is of a high enough level to deserve it (read: lvl 15+), tell your DM it would be nice if he could give you a chance to find one. It needs not be now. It needs not be easy. Just a chance. Most DM are sensible to that kind of argument if the player doesn't whine about it every two minutes. For years, my favorite item has been the Ring of Shooting Stars but I had NEVER found one (and that's from 1E forward). I finally had enough and told my DM. 8 gaming sessions later, I found one. I had to sweat for it, but I got it. Happiest time of my player's life
#16 zombiegleemax Jul 29, 2004 15:40:15	So you are saying that some items and getting them might be the focus of an entire game or campaign?
#17 Mortepierre Jul 29, 2004 16:26:22	No, I was saying that if your DM isn't a mindless robot, nothing should prevent him from adding a Staff of the Magi to his adventures if he knows one of his players is dying to get one AND qualifies for it. However, in the case of a minor artifact like that, yes, it can - should even - easily become the focus of an entire game or campaign. What ruler wouldn't want his royal mage to have such a potent item? What ambitious wizard wouldn't want to possess it? What Church (like the Pale) wouldn't do anything to keep it from a wizard's hands? I am sorry to insist but any (and I do mean any) item listed under the Minor or Major artifact section of the DMG shouldn't be found or acquired easily, no matter how "cool" it is. They are simply too powerful and rare for that.