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Message: <blockquote data-quote="FoxWander" data-source="post: 2871480" data-attributes="member: 1356">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<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />)- 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)</blockquote>

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