brian@jett.UUCP (06/21/84)
Have you ever noticed that all of the most interesting magic items are so super powerful that you can't have them around until the players are a ridiculously high level? Since I rarely dm games where players have a chance to get that high, I have "toned down" a few magic items so that I can give them to 4th and 5th level characters. Here are some examples: Minor Ring of Regeneration -- heals 1 hp every third turn, and will never bring you back from the dead. Ring of Mysterious Wishes -- you may make a wish, but it will come true in a very devious way. My favorite is the Minor Deck of Many Things. I made this using the Major Arcana from a real Tarot Deck, doing some research to make the effects correspond at least somewhat to the original meanings of the cards: Fool - Must lose 1d4 points of Wisdom OR all but 1 hp Magician - Gain 1 point in your major attribute High Priestess - Gain 2 (mandatory) draws from the deck Empress - Immediately healed to maximum hit point level Emperor - Gain 1 point of intelligence and two of charisma Hierophant - If a Lawful character, gain 1 point of Wisdom. If Chaotic, lose 1. Neutrals have no effect. Lovers - Gain enough experience to move you to the next higher level, or have your hit points permanently doubled. Chariot - the next blow you strike will kill its target. Strength - Move up 1 level, but lose all gold pieces. Hermit - Gain a map to a fair-sized treasure. Wheel of Fortune - Gain 1000 gp Justice - A Clone of yourself with opposite alignment attacks you Hanged Man - Change alignment immediately Death - Immediately roll on the reincarnation table and polymorph permanently into that creature (retaining all powers which do not conflict) Temperance - If multi-classed, gain a level in every class. Otherwise, draw again. Devil - Lose a point in major attribute, gain 1000gp Tower - You are imprisoned somewhere in the dungeon. Star - Avoid the situation you choose...once. Moon - Know the answer to any question. Sun - Gain 10000gp Judgement - If you are killed by the hand of an enemy, you are immediately resurrected. World - Move up 2 levels and gain 2 more draws from the deck. -- Brian Reynolds, a.k.a. Mhoram son of Variol, High Lord by the Choice of the Council. -- -- Brian Reynolds {ihnp4|clyde|sdcrdcf}!akgua!jett!brian