Would any dm's do this?

[Scion]

Just thinking about how a lot of dm's out there dislike the magic item shops, but really this isnt a direct solution. It is just funny in some ways, and interesting in others. Anyone think it is good? or can think of a better implimentation?

The Box:

This box is roughly the size of a small chest. 2'x2'x1'. It is made from a strange green metallic alloy and is constantly slightly warm to the touch.

The inside seems normal but any one item may be placed inside (up to dimensions of 10'x10'x5') and must be magical. No more than one item may be inside at any one time.

When the lid is closed for more than 6 seconds the item dissapears and is replaced by another item.

This seems to be a random item from somewhere else in the universe. No known means can change the outcome nor predict what will be placed inside in exchange.

--
So that is the item. Effectively it will always replace one item with another of lesser value. I am thinking that it will be replaced by an item of 50 - 75% value.

Does this seem all right? I cant imagine very many abuses for it but there may be some. Is there a better way to state it? a better way to use it? I would love to hear ideas

 

[Cheiromancer]

The Box of Exchange... I like it!

If it is 2'x2'x1', how does a 10'x10'x5' object fit inside?

I like the idea (swipe!) but I think I may be more generous with the exchange rate. Maybe 75%-90%.

Are the substituted items of the same type? (magic weapon for magic weapon, miscellaneous item for miscellaneous item)

How much is the box itself worth, do you think? What spells are needed to craft it?

 

[Scion]

magic much like a box of holding, but I had to make it large enough to fit most things inside, while not being so bulky as to be nearly immoble.

I was thinking random new item. Of course whatever you put in will have some bearing on what comes out. If you put in an item worth 500gp there isnt a huge list of things that can come back out again. Various scrolls, potions, and a couple of quall feather tokens.

It seems that you dont like the idea of taking so large of a hit to the gp value of items trade in. Perhaps you could make it 2 items totaling as close to 90% as possible. That way it could be one powerful and one weak, or two moderate, or somewhere inbetween.

The box itself I was thinking something along the lines of 2000k minimum to create using the special metals (whichever metals are rare in the campaign) but as for spells I havent a clue. Obviously need craft wonderousor the equivalent psi power. Maybe out of a specially prepared ferroplasm and one of the psychoportive powers (call weaponry, armor, item, etc). That could work out very well indeed. As for a nonpsionic campaign, yet again no clue..lol

I was also thinking that it definately would not create nor destroy. This means that it is possible if one of these exists in the world then one or two of the parties items could disseapear to be replaced by something more expensive.

This would of course be very rare. Possibly only happening once. Might be an intersting plot twist but only when used on that one occasion

 

[Kodam]

Hi!

There's only one minor downside I can think of: the players would never again have a "useless item". With this chest they get something out of items such as evil-aligned weapons, helms of opposite alignement, etc...

But this could be seen as advantage as well, of course.

Kodam

 

[Scion]

True, but say they put in this evil item. Now it is somewhere else in the world possibly being used for evil again. Most good character would probably frown on that.

As for useless items. Say you put an item worth 10k that no one can use into the box. You may wind up getting another item that cant be used out of it. Do you put this item back in and try again? if so it takes another decrease in value.

So yes, eventually you will get something you want/need. But the cost is still there so that shouldnt be too bad. In fact it might even be good. I tend to have a list of a few hundred magic items outside of the core anyway so it is possible to hear something like, 'wow.. I didnt know that even existed anywhere'

 

[kreynolds]

First of all, I frickin' love this item. Secondly...

This seems to be a random item from somewhere else in the universe.

...I may know where the items come from. You know how you can lose items from a bag of holding? How about the items it gives come from there (astral plane)? Could certainly explain the randomness.

 

[Scion]

I once read about what a bag of devouring was.. a mouth of a creature on another plane of existance. Is this what you mean? or do you mean when a bag of holding rips and things spill into the astral plane? (or etheral, cant remember which)

Either way would be fine. Probably picking random stray loot from areas way out in the middle of nowhere could be interesting indeed..lol

'I always wondered where my garden gnome had gone when my bag of holding ripped from that stupid diamond. Now I know. It is now back with me where it belongs, all it took was trading in that worthless +1 shield I found just laying around and a few hundred tries... dont look at me like that bill, we'll get you another sheild, you almost never used it anyway.. ::cuddles with his garden gnome and smiles contentidly::'

 

[kreynolds]

or do you mean when a bag of holding rips and things spill into the astral plane? (or etheral, cant remember which)

That's what I mean. It's the astral plane, by the way. A bag of holding being overloaded simply says that the items are lost. Though it doesn't say where, I think the astral plane would be just fine for the purposes of your item.

The main reason I like this idea is because it allows me to avoid the logistics of the random items it returns coming from shops, people, etc. I think having the items it gives already being lost is a "safe" way to adjudicate it's function. That and I just like the sound of it.

 

[Scion]

Sounds great!

If anyone does wind up useing this I'd love to hear how it went and which version was used. I may wind up having to see what my dm thinks of the idea. Hmm..

 

[Scion]

Oh, and about the garden gnome thing above.

Garden Gnome:

These small magical constructs have only one known purpose. They decrease the property value of any home they are placed near by roughly 1gp. Because of this it is currently unknown why anyone would place hundreds around their house except perhaps in the wild hope that having enough of them will make their True Purpose become clear.

minor transmutation, cl 0, craft wonderous item or craft(pottery) 5 ranks, value 1sp.

Since this is the least valued magical item in existance given enough tries in the box above you would eventually get at least one of these