Everburning Torch question ...

[Lucius Foxhound]

So my character buys an Everburning Torch (as listed under magic items in the DMG) for 90 GP. The description lists it as a torch with continual flame cast on it.

However, what if dispel magic is cast on an Everburning Torch? Is it treated like a magic item (properties surpressed for 1d4 rounds) or is it treated like a spell and it gets permanently dispelled?

 

[kreynolds]

However, what if dispel magic is cast on an Everburning Torch? Is it treated like a magic item (properties surpressed for 1d4 rounds) or is it treated like a spell and it gets permanently dispelled?

It is treated as a spell and gets permanently dispelled. The prereqs state "(no feat needed)", meaning as written on that page, it doesn't use any magic item feats to create, so it isn't a true magic item. It's merely a torch with a spell on it.

If you create it as a magic item, it would be more expensive (2 x 3 x 2,000gp). Obviously, such an item isn't worth 12,000gp, so you would need to tweak the price. You could argue that the price would stay the same though. After all, it's 45 times more expensive than a sunrod (2gp), but it doesn't burn as brightly (20-foot radius instead of 30-foot radius).

The main difference between an everburning torch and a true magic item is that you don't spend any XP to make the everburning torch, but you do spend XP to make magic items.

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Ah, thanks Kreynolds. Indeed, that's what "No Feat Needed" means.

I think my Wizard might retire by using Shadow Evocation to create "free" Everburning Torches and sell them for a mere 75 gp a pop. Ah, the gold's just going to come pouring in!

 

[candidus_cogitens]

At first, I read kreynolds post and was persuaded. But after some thought, I'm going to offer a different opinion.

The fact that it says "no feat needed" does not have any obvious implication. One could draw the conclusion, that it is therefore not a magic item, but only if you take it as a given that all magic items have to be created by someone who has one of those feats. While that is usually the case, it is possible that this is an exception. After all, it is listed in the magic item section! While kreynolds' conclusion is within reason, it is not a necessary conclusion.

My opinion would be that this is simply a very inexpensive magic item, one that is easy to make, and very limited in power.

 

[candidus_cogitens]

I think my Wizard might retire by using Shadow Evocation to create "free" Everburning Torches and sell them for a mere 75 gp a pop. Ah, the gold's just going to come pouring in!

Clever, but Shadow Evocation can only be used to immitate evocations. Continual Flame is an illusion, not an evocation.

But if you had access to enough ruby dust, you could make a decent profit, as long as you were willing to devote your spell slots to it.

 

[mkletch]

So my character buys an Everburning Torch (as listed under magic items in the DMG) for 90 GP. The description lists it as a torch with continual flame cast on it.

However, what if dispel magic is cast on an Everburning Torch? Is it treated like a magic item (properties surpressed for 1d4 rounds) or is it treated like a spell and it gets permanently dispelled?

Probably as a spell. If you make light permanent on something as a magic item, the cost is 1000gp, or 750gp if on command.

-Fletch!

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Clever, but Shadow Evocation can only be used to immitate evocations. Continual Flame is an illusion, not an evocation.

But if you had access to enough ruby dust, you could make a decent profit, as long as you were willing to devote your spell slots to it.

Sorry, my friend, while the SRD lists it as an illusion, the good ol' PHB correctly lists it as an Evocation (Light) spell. So with a 5th level spell, you can cast it without the ruby dust!

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

At first, I read kreynolds post and was persuaded. But after some thought, I'm going to offer a different opinion.

The fact that it says "no feat needed" does not have any obvious implication. One could draw the conclusion, that it is therefore not a magic item, but only if you take it as a given that all magic items have to be created by someone who has one of those feats. While that is usually the case, it is possible that this is an exception. After all, it is listed in the magic item section! While kreynolds' conclusion is within reason, it is not a necessary conclusion.

My opinion would be that this is simply a very inexpensive magic item, one that is easy to make, and very limited in power.

Actually, I agree with kreynolds, but you may have a point. If you're just talking about the spell, the price should be 110 GP instead of 90 GP (Caster Level (3) X 20 GP to cast the spell, +50 GP for components = 110).

I have no idea why its only 90 in the magic item section of the PHB. Still, I think the fact that you can create this item WITHOUT the Craft Wonderous Item feat means that it ain't a wonderous item.

 

[candidus_cogitens]

Sorry, my friend, while the SRD lists it as an illusion, the good ol' PHB correctly lists it as an Evocation (Light) spell. So with a 5th level spell, you can cast it without the ruby dust!

Not the PHB I'm looking at! Has it been changed in subsequent printings??

 

[candidus_cogitens]

Re: Re: Everburning Torch question ...

Probably as a spell. If you make light permanent on something as a magic item, the cost is 1000gp, or 750gp if on command.

-Fletch!

I don't understand what the "light" spell would have to do with it. If "Continual Flame" were to be treated the same as a permanent version of "light", then there would be no need to have the higher level spell at all!