FoxWander
Adventurer
This idea is a bit munchkiny, but theoretically it's possible that a tool could exist that would help with Use Magic Device. I doubt I'd allow such a tool in my game or feel comfortable asking to buy one as a player- but the idea of what form such a device would take is stuck in my head. So what do you think- what kind of tool could conceivably be used with UMD?
The most obvious type of "tool" (I think) would be a book. Some kind of general reference text of common magic items and thier activation methods. A post I was reading thru on the Wizard's boards (which got this idea in my head to begin with) mentioned a book called "Tobin's Guide to Common Magics." A cute title for such a book, but too much of a rip from Ghostbusters. Any other good title ideas? How about- "The Artificer's Handbook" or "The Poor Crafter's Almanac". Too plain I think. It needs to be something that sounds like a solid, universal reference book, but with an exotic, occult flair. Afterall, it has to sound 'masterworky'.
A second possible form for such a tool could be a focusing crystal. Something made of exotic materials that when held and concentrated upon helps focus the mind on activating stored magic. I can't think of any other name for it besides 'focusing crystal'. But then I'm half asleep at the moment.
Another issue about such a 'tool'- how much should it cost? Generic masterwork tools are +50 gp, but that's just generic tools. MW tools that boost skills very important to particular classes, thieves' tools & instruments, are +70 and +95 gp respectively. Since a UMD boosting tool would fall into that category, it'd have to be similarly more expensive. Of course, for UMD, there isn't any non-MW tool out there. You don't need the "What You Should Know about Magic Items" brocure just to use UMD to begin with (and thus opening the door for a MW equivalent). But then, you don't need a magnifying glass to use Appraise either, but you still get a +2 if you do. (And does that mean a MW magnifying glass grants a +4, and cost 150gp? Or is it MW already? I suppose not, since a MW crowbar gives a +4 as well.) I'm thinking 100-120 gp for the spiffy book/focusing crystal/whatever is probably about right. How about you?
Anyway, enough rambling. To sum up...
- Is such a 'tool' even conceivable? (And can you answer in the negative without quoting The Princess Bride?)
- If it is, would you allow it in your game and what from should it take?
- If it's a book- what would you call it? (Give me some cool name ideas even if you don't like the idea
)
- If it's not a book, what would you call it?
- Whatever it is, how much should it cost? Should it cost more in campaigns with Artificers and/or Warlocks? (Since this would be a 'must have' for either of these classes)
The most obvious type of "tool" (I think) would be a book. Some kind of general reference text of common magic items and thier activation methods. A post I was reading thru on the Wizard's boards (which got this idea in my head to begin with) mentioned a book called "Tobin's Guide to Common Magics." A cute title for such a book, but too much of a rip from Ghostbusters. Any other good title ideas? How about- "The Artificer's Handbook" or "The Poor Crafter's Almanac". Too plain I think. It needs to be something that sounds like a solid, universal reference book, but with an exotic, occult flair. Afterall, it has to sound 'masterworky'.
A second possible form for such a tool could be a focusing crystal. Something made of exotic materials that when held and concentrated upon helps focus the mind on activating stored magic. I can't think of any other name for it besides 'focusing crystal'. But then I'm half asleep at the moment.
Another issue about such a 'tool'- how much should it cost? Generic masterwork tools are +50 gp, but that's just generic tools. MW tools that boost skills very important to particular classes, thieves' tools & instruments, are +70 and +95 gp respectively. Since a UMD boosting tool would fall into that category, it'd have to be similarly more expensive. Of course, for UMD, there isn't any non-MW tool out there. You don't need the "What You Should Know about Magic Items" brocure just to use UMD to begin with (and thus opening the door for a MW equivalent). But then, you don't need a magnifying glass to use Appraise either, but you still get a +2 if you do. (And does that mean a MW magnifying glass grants a +4, and cost 150gp? Or is it MW already? I suppose not, since a MW crowbar gives a +4 as well.) I'm thinking 100-120 gp for the spiffy book/focusing crystal/whatever is probably about right. How about you?
Anyway, enough rambling. To sum up...
- Is such a 'tool' even conceivable? (And can you answer in the negative without quoting The Princess Bride?)
- If it is, would you allow it in your game and what from should it take?
- If it's a book- what would you call it? (Give me some cool name ideas even if you don't like the idea
)- If it's not a book, what would you call it?
- Whatever it is, how much should it cost? Should it cost more in campaigns with Artificers and/or Warlocks? (Since this would be a 'must have' for either of these classes)
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