The Seer's Catalog of Magic Items

[Quasqueton]

For those DMs who allow the PCs to purchase/commission/acquire magic items for money, how do the PCs pick what they want? [Notice I'm talking about the *PCs* picking items, not the Players looking in the DMG.]

Some things can be chosen in game fairly easily:

"I want a magic flaming greatsword."

"I want one a cloak that makes me better at hiding. Like those made by the elves."

"I want something to make me smarter, and my spells harder to resist."

"I want a healing potion."


But there are many items in the DMG that PCs probably wouldn't know about, or even be able to describe. Most of the wondrous items probably fall into this category.

So, in your world, where magic is "purchasable", is there a list or book that explains all the magic items from the DMG? How does a PC go about buying a quaal's feather token, boat, or armor of fortification, or robe of useful items, or boots of striding and springing, or instant fortress, etc.?

Maybe it's part of a broker's job to help an adventurer figure out exactly what he wants and explain what magic items are available?

Quasqueton

 

[Quasqueton]

bump

 

[reveal]

Edit: Wow, I completely misread the post. :\

I think it depends on the size of the town and if they have access to a spellcaster. Spellcasters would know about magic items, since they have to study to be a spellcaster and would study said items. If one's in the party, the fighter says "Hey, mage, how do I ***?" To which the mage replies, "You need ***."

If there is no mage and the town is big enough to have one or two spellcasters in it, they can ask them for help.

 

[der_kluge]

Wizards would probably know what is doable. You wouldn't need a catalog. Any wizard with craft wondrous item would potentially know about any wondrous item that he could possible make.

As far as magic shops are concerned, it makes the most sense to me that they would just have certain things that they would have acquired, and couldn't get just any ol' thing. You don't walk into an antique store and expect them to have Superman issue #1 just because you want it, and you know that it exists.