SolitonMan
Explorer
Hello,
I've been working with my DM to create a new type of item to allow my warlock cohort in a high level campaign have an option that allows for the flexibility to cast almost any spell desired, but with limited frequency. A rod seemed like the most appropriate option, and this is the item draft description I came up with:
Rod of Power (arcane or divine)
-------------------------------
This type of rod comes with modifier values of +1 to +9, and in flavors both arcane and
divine. It acts as a club with an enhancement bonus equal to its modifier. It also allows
its wielder to cast one or more spells from their appropriate spell list. The number of
spell levels that can be cast with the rod per day is equal to the rod's modifier value.
Any user can cast any spell they know from their appropriate (arcane or divine) list. If
there is a spell on their list that they don't know, they can attempt to cast it as if they
did know it. The attempt requires a successful Spellcraft check (DC 20 + spell level).
Note that the user must still be of the appropriate level, and possess the requisite ability
score, to be able to cast the desired spell. Should these conditions not be met, they can
be emulated with appropriate Use Magic Device checks.
The spells are cast at the user's caster level or the rod's caster level, whichever is
greater, and DCs are calculated using the user's ability score modifier or the minimum
required for a spell of the appropriate level, whichever is greater.
Any spell that has a material component that exceeds 1 gp of value requires that the user
supply the component; in the process of casting the spell, the component is absorbed into
(and destroyed by) the rod.
Strong (universal); CL varies (minimum 9th); Craft Rod, Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Eschew Materials, ability to cast arcane or divine spells of level equal to rod modifier; Price varies
Pricing on this was somewhat of an arbitrary decision on my part...the club functionality was easy enough, but the spell casting functionality seemed a bit trickier. In searching through the SRD, it occurred to me that the basic concept of this item was most like a cognizance crystal. So I used that pricing scheme as the basis for the spellcasting portion of the rod's functionality, then doubled it for the accessibility to unknown spells, and doubled it again for using your own caster level and ability score modifiers for DCs.
I was just wondering if anyone can see any way I can improve the pricing or details of the functionality for this...or else, if you are aware of some existing option that mimics this closely, please, by all means, let me know!
Thanks!
I've been working with my DM to create a new type of item to allow my warlock cohort in a high level campaign have an option that allows for the flexibility to cast almost any spell desired, but with limited frequency. A rod seemed like the most appropriate option, and this is the item draft description I came up with:
Rod of Power (arcane or divine)
-------------------------------
This type of rod comes with modifier values of +1 to +9, and in flavors both arcane and
divine. It acts as a club with an enhancement bonus equal to its modifier. It also allows
its wielder to cast one or more spells from their appropriate spell list. The number of
spell levels that can be cast with the rod per day is equal to the rod's modifier value.
Any user can cast any spell they know from their appropriate (arcane or divine) list. If
there is a spell on their list that they don't know, they can attempt to cast it as if they
did know it. The attempt requires a successful Spellcraft check (DC 20 + spell level).
Note that the user must still be of the appropriate level, and possess the requisite ability
score, to be able to cast the desired spell. Should these conditions not be met, they can
be emulated with appropriate Use Magic Device checks.
The spells are cast at the user's caster level or the rod's caster level, whichever is
greater, and DCs are calculated using the user's ability score modifier or the minimum
required for a spell of the appropriate level, whichever is greater.
Any spell that has a material component that exceeds 1 gp of value requires that the user
supply the component; in the process of casting the spell, the component is absorbed into
(and destroyed by) the rod.
Strong (universal); CL varies (minimum 9th); Craft Rod, Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Eschew Materials, ability to cast arcane or divine spells of level equal to rod modifier; Price varies
Code:
modifier rod price
-------- ---------
+1 6,000 gp
+2 24,000 gp
+3 54,000 gp
+4 96,000 gp
+5 150,000 gp
+6 216,000 gp
+7 294,000 gp
+8 384,000 gp
+9 486,000 gpPricing on this was somewhat of an arbitrary decision on my part...the club functionality was easy enough, but the spell casting functionality seemed a bit trickier. In searching through the SRD, it occurred to me that the basic concept of this item was most like a cognizance crystal. So I used that pricing scheme as the basis for the spellcasting portion of the rod's functionality, then doubled it for the accessibility to unknown spells, and doubled it again for using your own caster level and ability score modifiers for DCs.
I was just wondering if anyone can see any way I can improve the pricing or details of the functionality for this...or else, if you are aware of some existing option that mimics this closely, please, by all means, let me know!
Thanks!
