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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Amazing Mumford" data-source="post: 4804105" data-attributes="member: 33976">I disagree, it really isn't-- in-character vs. out-of-character knowledge I feel is easily seperated.  Knowledge skills go a long way!  I don't totally disagree though, I do think it makes total sense to have the items "spread out" over several different shops-- and also for instance that simple stat boost/ring of protection/magic arms and armor would be a lot more "common knowledge" on a Knowledge: Arcana or Gather Information check, maybe around DC 10-15.  Not that hard to pull off!  Also I feel these items would be more readily available.  But I would say that the more obscure items would not be "common knowledge".  Imagine it like this-- the MIC just came out, and the player's don't own one yet.  Are they going to ask for things like a healing belt or anklet of translocation??  Probably not!!  As soon as the player's read about them though, doesn't equate to their PC's all of a sudden gaining that knowledge... I'm talking about rings or items with multiple magical powers, arms/armor qualities above and beyond "+1" and/or "flaming", and most misc. magic items that don't provide simple stat boosts etc.  I could give a thousand examples, here's two random examples: 1) ioun stones-  what PC is going to walk in a store and say "I need something that's going to float around my head and make me not need to breathe" 2) akkabar's battleblade ring (PGF)- again, who would say "I'm looking for something in a ring that might fly off my finger and turn into a blade barrier" Here's where role-playing and NPC "conversations" come into play-- maybe the PC's have come across and NPC with a little gemstone orbiting his/her head, and the next city they go to the PC wizard decides to do a little research (provided he/she didn't already have a pretty high Knowledge: Arcana roll); then out-of-character info becomes in-character knowledge.  With the second example, say the cleric of Tempus or Tyr goes to the temple and talks with an NPC there about an up-coming foe, and asks if the temple might have anything to help in battle-- then the DM could possibly introduce the aforementioned battle ring. OK, I admit that these scenarios do take role-playing time, and I totally agree that in some gaming groups this will not work.  Personally, I really hate the idea of "generic cities" all over the land, and do my best to inject a little flavor.  I use the Forgotten Realms, and a lot of these cities are fleshed out a bit and so my job is a lot easier-- Calimshan is a much different place than Mulmaster, for example!  And a simple little flip through Volo's Guide to the Dalelands is perfect if a PC is in the area and is "looking for something".  I like action too, don't get me wrong, I am just as bored as the players with a 2-3 hour "shopping" session... So I try to balance it all out.  The PC's don't ALWAYS get exactly what they want, sometimes they do, but if not they will at least get some pretty cool and usable stuff.  I will agree that this is NOT the case for every setting, and some DM's just don't to put the extra time in, or don't have time to.  I have said before, use what works for you.....</blockquote>

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