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Message: <blockquote data-quote="aboyd" data-source="post: 5082168" data-attributes="member: 44797">Hey guys, I really like this thread, but I wanted to use PCGen to try to create the "real" prices for these items.  I expected that most could be filed under "command-word items that used Prestidigitation" to power them.  As a zero-level spell, I assumed that the "official" costs would be close to what Dandu suggested.  Turn out no, not really.  The cheapest you can get a zero-level item is about 900 gold, and then you can reduce it to operating 1x/day which will cut the cost down to 180 gold.  That's far too much for a spoon that stirs a cooking pot by itself.The Magic Item Compendium suggests that a DM can just wing it, which is probably close to what Dandu did, and I think he got good results.  But I did still want to try to find some kind of system to match up power levels with cost, so that the cost of items could be better gauged.  So I'll share with you what I posted into my private forum about this.  It's just me thinking out loud, but maybe it'll help anyone who is a stickler for having a good pricing system.Creating Commoner-Grade Magic Items, for CheapThere is a model to follow.  There are 4 low-level spells in the core rules that create permanent effects on an item.  They are: <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/arcaneLock.htm" target="_blank">arcane lock</a>, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/arcaneMark.htm" target="_blank">arcane mark</a>, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/continualFlame.htm" target="_blank">continual flame</a>, and <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/secretPage.htm" target="_blank">secret page</a>.  The power levels:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">arcane mark at level 0 = magical imprint layered onto item.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">arcane lock & continual flame at level 2 = permanently alter state of item, adding new, useful, obvious properties to it.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">secret page at level 3 = permanently alter state of item, adding new, useful, hidden properties to it.</li> </ul>In addition, Gygax's Living Fantasy has a number of rather pedestrian spells that are long-term and of use for commoners.  For example, Floating Object is level 1, and causes an object weighing less than 5 pounds to float, permanently.  This would be about the same concept as Arcane Lock and Continual Flame, but perhaps less useful, which explains the lower level requirement.None of these spells give a person control of the effect -- well, not much.  For example, a Continual Flame torch cannot be extinguished and then reignited upon command.  It just works, continuously.  The Arcane Lock allows for spellcaster bypass, though.  And Gygax's 1st-level spell Animate Toy, while not permanent, lasts a long while and can take simple commands.  It's conceivable that such a spell could have a permanent duration if it were increased to 2nd or 3rd level.  So perhaps at those levels (2nd, 3rd), some rudimentary command could be added (for example, the start/stop of a stirring spoon).  There is also a permanent spell in the Spell Compendium that bolsters this idea -- the 3rd level spell, Glowing Orb.  It's like a Continual Flame spell, but the light source is under the control of the caster, and will increase or decrease in brightness upon (mental, I think) command.So custom spells could be created that are low-level -- perhaps just 1st or 2nd, and they could be directly targeted toward creation of very minor useful items.  At 2nd or 3rd level they would even be able to take very simple commands (stir, stop).  In so doing, the cost of these very minor items is reduced to the mere cost of casting the spell, as listed under "Spellcasting and Services" on page 129 of the Player's Handbook.  Thus, we can legitimately get the cost of these items down to 10 gp (1st level), 60 gp (2nd level) and 150 gp (3rd level).  We merely need to determine where such a custom spell would fit in with the existing spells, and charge appropriately.Sample SpellUnseen FacetConjuration (Creation)Level:     Sor/Wiz 2Components:     V, S, MCasting Time:     1 standard actionRange:     Object touchedEffect:     Repetitive motion imbued into itemDuration:     PermanentSaving Throw:     Will negates (object)Spell Resistance:     NoThis simply reduces the Unseen Servant spell to a single facet (command), imbues it into an item, alters the range limitation and saving throw, and extends the duration to permanent.So for example, with a normal Unseen Servant spell, you might command an Unseen Servant to clean a dish, then stir a cauldron of soup, and then fold a towel.  With Unseen Facet, you might select one of those actions to put into the item itself, and then it will do precisely that upon command.  This would create a self-cleaning dish, a self-stirring ladle, or a self-folding blanket.  The spell cannot do more than the Unseen Servant can do -- it has the same weight limitations and other limitations, although due to the changed range, it no longer needs to remain near the caster.A "Will negates" saving throw was added for combat uses of this spell.  An example of when this would be required would be when a wizard attempts to make a warrior's sword unsheathe itself and rise through the sky upon command.  Unattended objects would typically not get a saving throw (standard exceptions, such as intelligent items, apply).</blockquote>

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