Help with simple magic item ...

[Jeff Wilder]

Can some kind soul walk through the creation of a minor wondrous item for me?

I'd like to create an object (a holy symbol) that will shed light on command (and go dark on command).

If possible, I'd like to see how creation costs would be calculated using both the 0-level Light spell and the 3rd-level Daylight spell. I'm pretty sure I'm stepping through the creation rules properly, but I'm coming up with costs in the 1000s of gold pieces, which seems out of line with the power of the item. (The rules do say that costs for wondrous items are hard to estimate by formula, so any opinions on how to fudge the costs are also welcome.)

Thanks very much for any assistance.

 

[dvvega]

You have described it has a holy symbol that sheds light on command (and turns off on command).

The problem here is I am assuming you want the shedding of light to be permanent if commanded on.

The 0-level spell version (light)
0.5 (0-level) x 1 (caster level) x 2000 (continuous) x 1.5 (10 min/level duration spell)
Total = 1500 gp

The 3-level spell version (daylight)
3 (3-level) x 5 (caster level) x 2000 (continuous) x 1.5 (10 min/level duration spell)
Total = 45000 gp

Since the spells in question are (D) I would rule that you can activate/deactivate the light without a problem.

The large cost for the 3-level one is quite excessive, however you should note that it lights an area of 60 feet radius as daylight and a further 60 feet on top of that dimly.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

You have described it has a holy symbol that sheds light on command (and turns off on command).

The 0-level spell version (light)
Total = 1500 gp

The 3-level spell version (daylight)
Total = 45000 gp

Thanks very much. Yes, those are the numbers I was getting. I think I might suggest an ad hoc adjustment down to one-third or perhaps one-half those numbers. 500 gp seems a fair enough price to pay for a hands-free lantern.


Jeff

 

[dvvega]

Actually you should think about what you just said ...hands free lantern.

What advantage does this give? You have an extra hand, so two handed weapons, shield and weapon, bow, a lot of things suddenly become easier.

The light is magical and thus can cancel magical darkness. A normal light doesn't do that.

The daylight version will affect kobolds and other Light Sensitive creatures. So letting them have this item cheaply (with the daylight version) will give them advantages over certain creatures.

There are other creatures (like Vargouilles) that are affected by Daylight in some way.


Just some thoughts.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

Consider basing it on Continual Flame. That's naturally permanent, and an on/off function shouldn't be too terribly expensive.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Actually you should think about what you just said ...hands free lantern.

What advantage does this give? You have an extra hand, so two handed weapons, shield and weapon, bow, a lot of things suddenly become easier.

Yes, but so does, say, continual light inside a shuttered container. A light lantern would save the fumbling about shuttering and unshuttering the continual light, but it does cost 10 times as much, after all.

The light is magical and thus can cancel magical darkness. A normal light doesn't do that.

It can cancel magical darkness of 0-level. (Is there magical darkness of 0-level?)

The daylight version will affect kobolds and other Light Sensitive creatures. So letting them have this item cheaply (with the daylight version) will give them advantages over certain creatures. There are other creatures (like Vargouilles) that are affected by Daylight in some way.

I agree, mostly. I think I disagree that allowing players to have a daylight item for 15,000 gp is allowing them to have it "cheaply," though. Cheaper than 45,000, yes, but, honestly, would anyone out there actually pay 45,000 gp for a daylight item? (I'm not even sure that anyone would pay 15,000 gp, but maybe so, since the ability to dispel darkness becomes useful with a 3rd-level light spell.)

Just some thoughts.

I appreciate it.


Jeff

 

[Flyspeck23]

I agree, mostly. I think I disagree that allowing players to have a daylight item for 15,000 gp is allowing them to have it "cheaply," though. Cheaper than 45,000, yes, but, honestly, would anyone out there actually pay 45,000 gp for a daylight item? (I'm not even sure that anyone would pay 15,000 gp, but maybe so, since the ability to dispel darkness becomes useful with a 3rd-level light spell.)

15,000 gp? 45,000 gp? Divide by 10, and you're there