Parasol of the Hiding Wind

[Mistah J]

Parasol of the Hiding Wind

This parasol is made with bleached bamboo frame and a rice paper canopy. Expertly
crafted, it is both sturdy and lightweight. The canopy is decorated with a remarkable
hand painted scene depicting the wind blowing amongst a crowd of people.

Despite being almost ornamental in nature, the parasol of the hiding wind is quite
durable and can serve every function of a normal parasol.* Its magical nature, however,
provides the following:

The user gains a +10 competence bonus to Hide checks - but only for the purposes of blending into a crowd. Starting this ability requires the user to open the parasol (a standard action) but the bonus remains for as long as the character wishes, she closes or no longer holds the parasol, or she leaves the crowd. This ability is always available.

In addition the user of the parasol of the hiding wind may:
Cast mage hand. This ability expends 1 charge.
Cast disguise self.This ability expends 2 charges.
Cast gust of wind. This ability expends 3 charges.

Each spell is activated by a command word and produced as if cast by a 3rd level caster.
The parasol of the hiding wind has 6 charges that are renewed daily.

Strong evocation; CL 3rd; Craft Wondrous Item, mage hand, disguise self,
gust of wind; Market Price 14,000gp; Weight 1 lb.

*: See p. 100 of Sandstorm for details on the parasol.
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So, how do you think I did on my pricing?

1) A +10 bonus to hide would normally cost 10,000 gp (Bonus squared x 100gp)
but what kind of reduction does "only in a crowd" give?

2) As far as I can figure, the spells all follow the formula for a command word:
Spell lvl x Caster lvl x 1,800gp - and so:
mage hand 0.5 x 3 x 1,800 gp = 2,700gp
disguise self 1 x 3 x 1,800gp = 5,400gp
gust of wind 2 x 3 x 1,800gp = 10,800gp

But then, under the rules for staffs it says that if you double the charge cost you can half the price. I think, and correct me if you feel otherwise, that it would be safe to say triple the charge cost and you can reduce the price to one third - so:
mage hand 0.5 x 3 x 1,800 gp = 2,700gp
disguise self 1 x 3 x 1,800gp = 5,400gp / 2 = 2,700gp
gust of wind 2 x 3 x 1,800gp = 10,800gp / 3 = 3,600gp

But now what? p. 285 of the DMG has the "charges per day" adjustment, but
that doesn't really cover the "multiple uses from a pool of charges" idea -
or does it? and I am just missing it here.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[ceratitis]

i dont know how to help you with the "charge pool" and the rest of your calculations seem ok to me. however bear in mind that such an item with multiple minor abilities will end up costing a bomb by the rules and will really only provide some flavour with the hiding possibly being useful in an urban setting. once you go out to the wilderness all you get is a gust of wind and mage hand? for something that costs around 20k if not more by the rules. if you're the dm i'd say this item deserves a "coolness" reduction to a more reasonable price. just figure out how much you would actually be willing to pay for it as a player, personally 12-13k tops.
Z

 

[Mistah J]

just figure out how much you would actually be willing to pay for it as a player, personally 12-13k tops.

It's funny you said that, cause I made it as part of a 15,000gp treasure found by a character - and I equated it to be worth about 14,000gp of it. So I think I'll stick with that now that I see I'm not alone in that ball park.

Thanks

 

[ceratitis]

sounds right to me. however bear in mind i'm not a dm and not very expirienced with pricing and all. if you find it too powerful it sounds like an easy to destroy item
Z