Magic item that adds to spell list: cost?

[Nifft]

I may have this wrong but in one of Monte Cook's Eldrich Might books was something called a 'keyed' item. I believe there's a web enhancement on his website. I think this is what you're looking for, and I believe the cost was spell level squared times 2000 gp.

That fits what I recall, but it was even more useful than that.

If you're a spontaneous caster, you add the "keyed" spell(s) to your "spells known" list, and cast them from your existing spell-slots.

If you're a prepared caster, you may spontaneously convert any prepared spells of the same level into a "keyed" spell.

-- N

 

[der_kluge]

You could use the rules in the Artificer's Handbook to create this. It's all 100% open content, so there's no problem there. Just that most people don't have it, but it can generate you a cost if that's all you're looking for.

I don't have my book in front of me, so I can't rightly say, but you'd want to use limited wish to do this.

And then it's a matter of how is it activated? I assume spell-trigger? Or spell completion? Is this a spell that's not normally in the sorcerer spell list, like a clerical spell?

This would be easy enough as a limited wish 1/day kind of thing, with some limitations that the limited wish is limited in only being able to cast a very specific spell. The caster level would always be 13th, though.

 

[FireLance]

There was a recent thread discussing similar items here. I'll just re-post my comments in that thread below.

I pretty much had the same idea some time ago (see this thread).

With the new 3.5e rules for staffs, I would change the pricing. Staffs allow a spellcaster to cast a spell using his own caster level (if it is higher than the caster level of the staff) and his own ability scores and feats to set the DC of the saving throws. Effectively, the spellcaster casts the spell himself, but expends a charge from the staff instead of one of his spell slots.

The base price of a staff is spell level x caster level (minimum 8th) x 750 gp. I would not change the base price for expending a spell slot instead of a charge as both are limitations of the same order, in my view (merely changing an absolute cap to a per day limitation). I would lower the price somewhat as it effectively becomes a spell completion item (as a scroll) rather than a spell trigger item (as a wand or staff).

My final suggested pricing is spell level x caster level (minimum 8th) x 500 gp for a slotted item such as a ring, an amulet or a headband, double that for a slotless item such as a tatoo, an icon or a rune held in the hand. The item only imparts spell knowlegde; the caster will still have to provide material components, focuses and XP (where relevant) himself.

 

[Firzair]

Hi everybody,
I already use such items IMC and they are priced at 500 gp times spell level times spell level. The reason for this pricing is, that for pearls of power you merely pay double that and it comes with an appropriate spell slot. Caster level should be irrelevant for the pricing just like for the pearl.
In effect such an item is merely a INT 12 Spell Mastery feat for wizards and only one more spell option for a sorcerer.
Oh, and we allow multiple such items, no gamebreaking so far.

Greetings
Firzair

 

[Yair]

I have also considered such an item, but never actually wrote one down. I like FireLance's reasoning, so spell level x caster level (minimum 8) x 500 gp sounds the best so far.
I would also consider making it a staff. Just because I like the image.
Isn't there a Staff Mastery feat that allows one to burn a spell slot instead of a charge?

 

[Thanee]

In effect such an item is merely a INT 12 Spell Mastery feat for wizards and only one more spell option for a sorcerer.

For a wizard it's mostly pointless, of course.
For a sorcerer... this item is definitely too much at that cost level.

Bye
Thanee

 

[the Jester]

I'd say spell level squared x 2000 would be about right, personally, and I dig the idea. Think I'll offer one for sale to the sorcerer pc...

 

[Jdvn1]

On Sean K Reynold's site:
http://www.seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/magicitems/headbandsorcknowledge.html

Cost: (spell level)^2 x 1000 gp.

 

[Jdvn1]

Doubled.