Noncasters making Magical items

[dragonhead]

I belive that if any one wants to make a magical item, they need to be trained in the ways of magic. they dont need to take a level of lets say wizard, but should be taught by a wizard on how to channel the powers needed to create the item on top of the prereqs you have instated already. I also feel that the amount of time needed it make the item is increased by 50% for non-magic users, and there should be a 20% chance to fail as the character dosent know what forces he/she has and/or fails to properly summon the powers required.

 

[irdeggman]

Why not just use Artificers from Eberron setting?

They are not spell casters and yet are "experts" at creating magic items and the like.

 

[Yair]

I really like this idea. Perhaps in addition to basic bonuses you can allow non casters to add certain abilities by using special materials and locations to do the crafting. The exact requirements would be handled by the DM. I would not make it too hard or expensive for a non caster to utilize this option, the extra cost of obtaining the materials should be part of the standard crafting cost.

I would caution that, taken to its logical conclusion, such ideas lead to "magic item industries". If someone can use lava to forge a flaming sword than people will create forges at appropriate places and make them in bulk. You want to consider whether you want a "naturalistic" process or one more attuned to the idiosyncratic nature of the forger.
If you do want a natural process, a good place to start might be pricing the new material costs at the point of hiring a spellcaster to cast the required spells each day.

 

[Edheldur]

Curiously, there is THIS PRODUCT dealing with the exact same issue.