Craft Requirements for Item Creation Feats

[Griffith Dragonlake]

For Grymwurld™ I require characters to have ranks in the appropriate craft skill instead of level requirements. This works out to minimum caster level +3.

• Brew Potion: 6 ranks of Craft (brewing), Spellcraft, & Knowledge (Arcana)

• Craft Magic Arms: 8 ranks of Craft (weapons), Spellcraft, & Knowledge (Arcana)

• Craft Magic Armor & Shields: 8 ranks of Craft (armor & shields), Spellcraft, & Knowlege (Arcana)

• Craft Rod: 12 ranks of Craft (Rod, Wand, Staff), Spellcraft, & Knowledge (Arcana); Craft Wands feat

• Craft Staff: 15 ranks of Craft (Rod, Wand, Staff), Spellcraft, & Knowledge (Arcana); Craft Wands feat, & Craft Rods feat

• Craft Wand: 8 ranks of Craft (Rod, Wand, Staff), Spellcraft, & Knowledge (Arcana)

• Forge Ring: 15 ranks of Craft (Jewelry), Spellcraft, & Knowledge (Arcana)

• Scribe Scrolls: 3 ranks of Craft (Scrolls & Books), Spellcraft, & Knowledge (Arcana) + 1 rank per level of spell being scribed.

• Craft Wondrous Item: ranks in an appropriate craft, Spellcraft, & Knowlege (Arcana) equal to minimum caster level +3.

I did this because allowing spellcasters to enchant existing items just did not fit the flavour of Grymwurld. I love the Germanic image of Volund/Wayland the Smith muttering incantations with each strike of the hammer! And of Murkwood Elves weaving cloaks out of spider silk while singing an ancient song.
However, this variant will change one’s game beyond just adding flavour. As one might imagine, PC spellcasters will create less magic items and hence there will be less magic items available for the PCs overall. Encounters, especially high level ones will have to be adjusted accordingly.
Also it works better if you give spellcasters more skill points. I am also considering requiring Skill Focus (appropriate skills) to represent the true craft mastery requirement.