Is this legal?

[eamon]

I'd let him have it, and only apply the highest reduction, not multiply or add them.

So at best, a 30% reduction in base costs, and if you're feeling stingy, then don't reduce the XP cost. Item creation is annoying anyhow, so giving him some advantage is OK. On the other hand, adding reductions like he suggests - that is crazy.

And the resale value I'd just estimate depending on the NPC buying it. It might be completely worthless anyhow.

 

[robberbaron]

Let him have it (at 30% reduction) but only if he crafts it for himself, or if he gets another Neutral Drow to craft it for him. Makes sense to me that you can't craft an item if you are prevented magically from using it (i.e., not the same as being non-proficient).

Or, have the mage crafting it for him actually include a loophole in in the restriction (say, for his best friend the rogue) and have the sneaky git try to nick it. Of put in a timelimit, after which it is open for everyone. Obviously, don't tell the customer. Just sell him the open +3 buckler when his gets stolen.

[Edit] And allowing your players to dictate prices/discounts is another step down the road to madness.

 

[Darklone]

Explain this situation. After a levels of grovelling around finding absolulely hopeless items (resale value is pretty low too... who wants an item only Evil Goblin necromancers can use?)

Hehehehehe, if I were a player, I'd be really concerned if someone wants to buy that stuff!

 

[Felix]

Give him two options:

• He crafts his item to only work for him. Every NPC crafter proceeds to craft restricted items; when fighting orcs, they'll have Chaotic Evil Orc usable weapons; when fighting dwarves, they'll have Lawful Good Dwarf usable armor; when fighting Amazons, they'll have female usable bows, et cetera.

• Buy the item full price, and you won't run into restricted stuff.

Give him his choice.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

That rule is strictly for NPC's to utilize.

That part I disagree with.

If the PC wishes to craft an item with a meaningful restriction - a magic sword that requires Bless Weapon be cast on it each day before the Holy property will work, a cloak with a competence bonus to Hide that works only in woods, etc. - then go for it.

"Works only for me and my friends" is not a meaningful restriction.

 

[UltimaGabe]

Anyone have a response to my question?

The question, for those too lazy to scroll up is this: What would you do if a Dwarven Cleric decided to make a Dwarven Thrower? It's in the DMG, and it has the restriction (and reduced price) that only a Dwarf can get all of its abilities. He's making it for himself, so he's not suffering the penalty, so would you let him go by the (reduced) price in the DMG, or would you somehow make him pay more?

 

[werk]

Just say no, those are guidelines for DM's, not crutches for greedy players.


A limitation that is no limitation is an asset...I'd say raise the price.

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

I agree - standard item construction prices.

 

[kayn99]

I can see that certain races wanting to make magic items that can only be used by members of that race, i.e. the dwarven thrower. I do not see this as a restriction as much as now wanting to share their magic items with member of the other races. It is more of a role playing thing in my book and should not reduce the base cost of the magic item.

Kayn

 

[bodhi]

Anyone have a response to my question?

The question, for those too lazy to scroll up is this: What would you do if a Dwarven Cleric decided to make a Dwarven Thrower? It's in the DMG, and it has the restriction (and reduced price) that only a Dwarf can get all of its abilities. He's making it for himself, so he's not suffering the penalty, so would you let him go by the (reduced) price in the DMG, or would you somehow make him pay more?

IMHO, if the Dwarven Thrower was a brand new military innovation in the campaign, or if the crafter had only heard tales of such, then I'd make him pay full price. If they were a long-established Dwarven tradition (which I think is pretty much the default), I'd go with the DMG price.

I don't think the item creation rules directly address this, but I figure you should pay a premium for R&D/custom work.