Help pricing a magical faerie compass?

[Ambrus]

I created this item and am wondering what an appropriate cost and caster level for it might be. FYI, IMC ley lines are more of a plot device than something characters can directly benefit from. Any ideas?

Leyfinder
Aura faint divination; CL ?
Slot —; Price ? gp; Weight –
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DESCRIPTION
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Also known as a faerie compass or dowsing stone, this
lopsided dark green stone is the size of a small plum. When
freely suspended it begins to sway or circle of its own
volition. Careful study of the stone’s back and forth
movements allows its user to discern north as if having
cast the know direction spell.
While this ability is useful enough, the leyfinder has an
even greater power. Studying it’s circular motions allows
its user to ascertain the direction and distance to the
nearest ley line; naturally occurring though normally
invisible pathway of magical energy. The user draws nearer
to the ley line as the leyfinder’s circling movements grow
narrower. A spinning motion indicates that the user is in
proximity to a faerie crossroads; an intersection of two or
more ley lines.
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CONSTRUCTION
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Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, know direction and
detect crossroads;
Cost ? gp

 

[Wik]

Hard to guess, not knowing exactly how powerful or common Ley Lines are in your campaign. Personally, though, I'd just figure out out how much it would cost to have an item that was a permanent Know Direction spell (I forget the numbers from 3.5E).. and then double it for the Ley Line effect.

 

[Starfox]

Most 3E items can be made from spells. Do you have a campaign-specific spell to detect ley lines? If not, this item seems more like a McGuffin - it is priceless as a story device but not really sellable.

 

[Ambrus]

Most 3E items can be made from spells. Do you have a campaign-specific spell to detect ley lines?

The closest equivalent is the detect crossroads cantrip from the Forgotten Realms setting. So this item, in effect, can mimic two 0-level spells at will; the first, know direction, has an instantaneous duration and the other, detect crossroads, lasts up to 10 minutes per level. Seeing as how the two effects are similar, how much should the item cost?

 

[Starfox]

The closest equivalent is the detect crossroads cantrip from the Forgotten Realms setting. So this item, in effect, can mimic two 0-level spells at will; the first, know direction, has an instantaneous duration and the other, detect crossroads, lasts up to 10 minutes per level. Seeing as how the two effects are similar, how much should the item cost?

By standard rules; 1650 gp. Each effect is an at-will usable by all classes. The base cost of that is 2200 gp * spell level * caster level. Level zero spells count as level 1/2 spells when crafting items. The second similar effect on the same item is 50% cost (or is that 75%, not 100% sure). I think I'd lower the price to 900 gp in this case, as the item is so specialized and the spells are so commonly available.

 

[Ambrus]

I think you're on the right track, but your numbers seem a bit off. I believe the cost of an item with a continuous effect is Spell level x caster level x 2,000 gp. A secondary though related effect costs 75% percent. So 0.5 x 1 x 2,000 = 1,000 + 75% of 1000 = 1750 gp. Thanks for the help.

 

[Mark]

Don't know about the compass but the Fairy's Fancy Fannypack holds one-quarter as much as the Heward's Handy Haversack and cost one-quarter the amount. It is designed to be worn below the wings (or round the front) and not interfere with flight. Humans who wear one are often chided when in town or hide it under their chainshirt.

 

[Ambrus]

Where's it from?

 

[Mark]

Where's it from?

My brain. If you want to use it for a home game, have at it. If you want it for a publication and are looking for an OGL section 15 listing, I can make one up for you, too. I'll see if Mark Gedak can add it to the Grand OGL Wiki so it is available in the OGC pool.

 

[Ambrus]

i was curious where it was from since it's similar to what I've already created for one character:

Handy stocking cap
Aura moderate conjuration; CL 9th
Slot —; Price 800 gp; Weight 2 lb.
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DESCRIPTION
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This stripped red and ochre cap appears to be well made
and well used with a dangling liripoop of prodigious length
and an oversized brim embroidered with mystical runes.
The cap functions like a bag of holding and can actually
hold material of as much as 4.8 cubic feet in volume or
48 pounds in weight in its spacious interior. Even when
so filled, the handy stocking cap always weighs only 2 lb.
While such storage is useful enough, the cap has an
even greater power. When the wearer reaches into it for a
specific item, that item is always on top. Thus, no digging
around and fumbling is ever necessary to find what the
stocking cap contains. Retrieving any specific item from
the cap is a move action, but it does not provoke the attacks
of opportunity that retrieving a stored item usually does.
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CONSTRUCTION
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Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, secret chest;
Cost 400 gp