Pricing additional spells known item?

[SteelDraco]

During the course of running a Rokugan game, I decided that one of the magic items I wanted to give to the party was a magic item that added additional spells known to the party shugenja's capabilities. I wanted to expand their spell repertoire, so that they could take something other than 'core' spells - it's no fun to play the only spellcaster if you have to take all healing spells.

However, I'm not sure how I should price this item. My first thought is roughly (spell level ^ 2) x 1000 gp. I'm not sure how well that would work out in practice, however. Any ideas?

Blessed Ofuda (Prayer Scrolls)
Crafted by shugenja of all the clans, these valuable items allow a shugenja access to the spells they are enchanted with. As long as the shugenja carries these ofuda, he may cast the spell tied to the scroll as though he had selected it as a spell known. Spells cast from an ofuda take effect at the shugenja's caster level, and use up his spells per day normally. He may modify the spell with any appropriate metamagic feats, construct magic items based upon the spell, or use it to counterspell. Casting a spell from a blessed ofuda takes no more time than casting the spell normally.

Most frequently, these items are enscribed with utility spells, such as Importune Kami, Cure Wounds or Lesser Restoration. Only spells of up to fourth level may be placed on a blessed ofuda

Moderate abjuration; CL minimum necessary to cast enscribed spell; Craft Wondrous Item, Scribe Scroll, enscribed spell; price ???; weight negligible.

 

[Scion]

Somewhere there is a ring that already does this to base it on.. but i cant find it right now maybe someone else will have more luck

 

[Sir Whiskers]

Somewhere there is a ring that already does this to base it on.. but i cant find it right now maybe someone else will have more luck

Check out the Ring of Wizardry and the Pearl of Power in the DMG (or SRD, if you prefer). Those two should give you a good guideline for what you want.

 

[Silveras]

I like the concept -- the limited repertoire of a spontaneous caster is balanced in some ways, but when there is only one caster in the party, it becomes a group liability. This seems like a reasonable way to augment that without unbalancing them.

Overall, the proposed formula sounds fine to me. 1,000 for a 1st level spell, 4,000 for a 2nd, 9,000 for a 3rd, adn 16,000 for a 4th (presumably 500 for a 0-level). Even a flat 1,000 x spell level would be Ok, I think.

 

[Scion]

I think the ring was from relice and rituals 2.

It had 10 'spell levels' in it, someone could cast a spell into it. So long as the spontaneous caster (bards and sorcs) was wearing it he could cast any of those spells as though they were ones he knew. I believe the cost of the item was either 10k or 15k.

 

[UltimaGabe]

Check out the Ring of Wizardry and the Pearl of Power in the DMG (or SRD, if you prefer). Those two should give you a good guideline for what you want.

The problem with using those as examples is that neither of those increase the number of Spells Known- only the Spells per Day. There's tons of things to get Wizards to know more spells, but Sorcerers always, always, ALWAYS get the shaft.

One idea is to make an item that casts a certain spell at will, disregarding any Material Component costs or XP costs. This results in spell level x caster level x 1800, x 2 because it doesn't take up a slot. However, since you're actually giving up some of your spells per day to use it, reduce the cost by as much as you want (probably something around 1/2). That way, you could give them the ability to cast Magic Missile for 1800 gp, or Restoration for 81,000. That may be... uh... too expensive, but I dunno. It's an idea, at least.

Although, if you only plan on giving them out, and not letting them be purchased, it's not extremely imperative that you have the cost perfect, considering chances are they won't be selling something as valuable as that.

 

[Jens]

For some reason, it would seem more 'reasonable' to me if the item had a specific fixed spell in it rather than an empty slot. It just seems more likely that a sorcerer would craft an item to let him keep that certain extra spell he needs (and that way the DM can influence which 'flavour' is added to the spell list.) I'd probably limit the effect of such items to one extra spell known per spell level.

As for cost, isn't there a feat called Extra Spell which gives an extra spell known? Could that be used somehow? Also, extra spells known cannot be wished for. Either way, such items should be expensive because the number of spells known is the main thing limiting the sorcerer.
Edit: How about 5000 gp per spell level?

 

[Sir Whiskers]

The problem with using those as examples is that neither of those increase the number of Spells Known- only the Spells per Day. There's tons of things to get Wizards to know more spells, but Sorcerers always, always, ALWAYS get the shaft...

You're right - I misunderstood the question. My bad.