Custom Treasure Hoard

[Darkxarth]

I'm currently working on a campaign, and have decided at one point that my PCs are going to get the chance to pick from a dragon's horde of treasure.  They are allowed one item each, so they can't just take gold or jewels.

What this thread is about, is what kind of things should I let them pick from?  I've decided that I'd like to make these treasures unqiue, something the players will enjoy having, not just because it provides a such-n-such bonus to whatever.  I have a few ideas, which I'm going to list below, but I thought this would be an excellent chance for anyone here to stretch their creative muscles and throw me an item or two.  Max treasure for a lv 10 encounter is a Major Magic item, so, theoretically, anything goes.  I do request that no Major or Minor Artifacts be given out, but unique and powerful non-Artifacts are great.

The PCs who will be picking from the treasures are a Minotaur Swashbuckler, a Half-Giant/Half-Dragon Soulknife, an Elven Bard, a Dwarven Fighter, and a Human Wizard.  Oh, and the treasure is all being handed out to good (or neutral) PCs from a ancient Copper Dragon, so no curses or evil items, please.

Current Treasure Ideas-
Ancient Spellbook: - Aimed at the Wizard
This book seems to have thousands of pages, and many are already inscribed with Arcane markings.  However, it is old, very old, and will take much time to translate each spell.
The Wizard will be able to translate a few (probably 3) within a little time, but after that, it takes 1 solid week of studying (study all day, 8 hours of rest each night) per spell to translate.  There is no gold cost for translating, though copying the spell down elsewhere would cost the usual amount for the spell's level.  However, at each new level the Wizard gains two new spells from the book, in addition to the two he gains from levelling up.  These spells are chosen by the DM (probably at random), though they will be spells that the Wizard can cast.

Ring of the Fist: - Any
This silver ring will catch the eye of the PCs, and when inspected will be found to shift sizes to fit any one of them.  Runes along the inside indicate a special command word that activates it.  When activated, the ring creates a giant energy globe around the wearer's fist.  This energy provides a +2 on attack and damage of the wearer's Unarmed Strike, and they gain the benefit of Improved Unarmed Strike.  The wearer is also able to use Magic Missile (2 missiles) 3/day.

Shifting Quiver: - Any
This quiver seems to hold many arrows, but one is never fully able to count the number of arrows left in it, they seem to squirm and shift, sometimes appearing or disappearing altogether.  Whenever an arrow is drawn from the quiver, roll a d4.  This determines what kind of arrow it is.
1 = Fire arrow, deals +1d6 flame damage and, if the arrow hits, the target must make a Ref save = 10 + damage dealt or catch fire, taking 1d6 flame damage a round for 4 rounds or until the fire is extinguished.
2 = Ice arrow, deals +1d6 cold damage and, if the arrow hits, the target must make a Fort save = 10 + damage dealt or be Slowed as the spell for 4 rounds.
3 = Lightning arrow, deals +1d6 lightning damage and, if the arrow hits, the target must make a Fort save = 10 + damage dealt or be Paralyzed for 2 rounds.
4 = Black arrow, deals no additional damage, but half of damage done is restored as Temporary hit points to the wearer of the Quiver.

As you can see I need plenty more ideas, and I'd rather not resort to picking items straight out of the DMG.  Any item ideas, worked out or not, are appreciated, as are comments on any current ideas.

[Epic Meepo]

Um, you realize that a 4th level monk wearing a ring of the fist deals more damage than a 20th-level monk who isn't wearing one, right? You might want to fix that, since a Str 20 half-orc could have an attack rountine of +10/+10 (3d6+9 damage) on 4th level without even doing any cheesy optimization (he just takes monks levels and that ring).

[Darkxarth]

None of my PCs are Monks, and this wouldn't be an item that a character could ever buy.  These items are probably quite overbalanced, that's why they don't have prices, but I didn't necessarily want them to be Artifacts either.

However, I will take another look at the Ring of the Fist and see if I want to change it, do you have any suggestions on how to lower the power, or at least lower the Munchkin-factor, and still have it unique/interesting enough for them to keep?

[Matt Larkin (author)]

I certainly agree it's overpowered.  It would be worth 1 level of monk just to gain a +4 2d6 weapon (who needs magic weapons with that).

I'd say tone it to a +2 bonus and no damage-die increase.  With magic missiles and free improved unarmed strike, it's still a very nice item that way, and it keeps it from being an uber-monk item.

Also, on the quiver, do you mean the wearer where you say that?  Or did you mean someone struck by the arrow (I assume)?  A very awesome item.

If you have a swashbuckler, his custom item should probably play up acrobatics, mobility, and flare.  Though I don't normally imagine a minotaur with finesse...

[Darkxarth]

I certainly agree it's overpowered.  It would be worth 1 level of monk just to gain a +4 2d6 weapon (who needs magic weapons with that).

I'd say tone it to a +2 bonus and no damage-die increase.  With magic missiles and free improved unarmed strike, it's still a very nice item that way, and it keeps it from being an uber-monk item.

Also, on the quiver, do you mean the wearer where you say that?  Or did you mean someone struck by the arrow (I assume)?  A very awesome item.

If you have a swashbuckler, his custom item should probably play up acrobatics, mobility, and flare.  Though I don't normally imagine a minotaur with finesse...

Ok, changed the Ring to make it less powerful, you guys are probably right, knowing some of the characters they might try to multiclass into Monk just for the bonus the Ring would give for only one level.  Also, I think I clarified the problem with the Quiver, if not, let me know.

And yeah, the Minotaur, despite being a Swashbuckler, isn't really all that swashbuckling.  I half-expect him to come to the session having changed his two levels of Swashbuckler to two levels of Fighter, or more likely Barbarian.  In any event, thanks for the advice, I'm working on a Wizard's Staff, a powerful Axe, and a few other things, since I'd like the PCs to have a pretty large selection, it is a dragon's hoard they're choosing from after all.  That's why I am posting these things here, so I can get some feedback on which items might be better, worse, etc.

[Darkxarth]

Wizard's Staff: - Aimed at Wizard
This item appears to be a normal length of wood, not suitable for battle, like a quarterstaff is, but fine for hiking.  However, it has a much deeper purpose than that.  This staff is actually a powerful magical tool, best suited for Wizards and other arcanists who prepare their spells in advance.
The Wizard's Staff can hold and store magical energy for use in amplifying other spells.  It can store up to 5 spell levels which can be used to do any of the following:
- Enhance a spell through a Metamagic effect, the caster must have the Metamagic feat in question, without using up a higher spell slot.  The stored levels are used to pay for the increased cost.  This must be done during spell preparation, just as though the caster were preparing the metamagic spell normally.
- Allow for spontaneous casting of any spell the caster knows whose level is one lower than the number of stored spell levels, however the spell uses up one more than it's level in spell levels.
- Be used to store up to 5 levels of actual spells, which can be held for up to a week, before disappating.  These spells can be cast at any time provided the caster can cast spells of that level.

Can't think of anything else to do with stored spell levels.

Fencing Sabre: - Aimed at the Minotaur
This blade appears to be a normal cutlass or some such at first, but when it is picked up, it grows to fit the wielder and begins to reveal its true nature, gaining a sheen and shine as though it had just been highly polished and sharpened.
This weapon functions as a +1 Rapier of appropriate size, except that it deals Slashing damage instead of Piercing.  It is covered in ancient runes of an arcane nature that increase the wielder's fencing prowess.
- Wielder gains use of the Combat Expertise feat, if the wielder already possesses the Combat Expertise feat, they gain use of the Improved Combat Expertise feat*.
- Wielder gains use of the Improved Disarm feat, if the wielder already possesses this feat, they simply gain an additional +2 bonus to all disarm attempts.
- Wielder gains use of the Combat Reflexes feat when wielding this weapon, if they aleady possess this feat, they gain no additional bonuses.  If the wielder has a Dexterity penalty, they still gain one additional Attack of Opportunity per turn.

*Found in the Complete Warrior

What do you think, are either of these too overpowered? (Like the Ring was?)

[Matt Larkin (author)]

My concern about the wording with the quiver was this format:

wearer[/b] must make a Ref save = 10 + damage dealt or catch fire

victim[/i] must make..."

Your new items don't seem too overpowered to me, at least not compared to the prior items such as the quiver.

[Darkxarth]

Fixed the Quiver, and I think I toned down the Munchkin factor just a little, not a lot, but some.  I should have a few more items up some time today.

Gem of Eternal Flame: - Any
This bright red ruby is just smaller than the size of an average human fist.  This fact alone would make it quite valuable, however it also possesses unique magical properties that make it priceless.
When held, the Gem radiates heat, keeping the holder comfortably warm.  This functions in any temperature from -30 to 110 degrees (Farenheit).  It also keeps the wielder dry in rain, the drops merely turning to vapor when the hit.  This does not protect from magical attacks that take the form of water, nor can it affect a body of water or a creature of water.  It simply serves to keep the holder comfortable in uncomfortable climes.  However, these are but the least of its abilities, the other being much more dangerous and powerful.
- The holder of the Gem gains Fire Resistance 5 as long as he or she is holding it.  This stacks with any other Fire Resistance the holder would otherwise have.
- 3/day the holder can create a 15-foot cone of fire as the Burning Hands spell, dealing 5d4 fire damage, as a Standard action that does not provoke an AoO.  Reflex save, DC 15.
- 1/day the holder can launch a Scorching Ray from the Gem as a Standard action that does not provoke an AoO.  This ranged touch attack is made at the holder's highest base attack bonus, adding their Dexterity modifier, and any other ranged attack modifiers that might be applicable.  The Gem itself provides a +2 bonus to this attack.  The Scorching Ray (a single ray) deals 4d6 fire damage and has a range of 30 feet.

It's flametastic!

[Darkxarth]

Versatile Urgrosh: - Aimed at Dwarf
This weapon seems like a simple Dwarven Urgrosh at first, but upon closer inspection, Dwarven runes are discovered which hint at its powers and capabilities.
It is a +1/+1 Dwarven Urgrosh.
If a special button is pressed, hidden among the runes on the haft, the pointed end shoots out with extreme force, allowing it to dig into hard surfaces and anchor itself there.  Connecting the spike to the Urgrosh is a strong steel chain.  The spike is capable of holding up to 1,000 lbs before releasing and can be fired as far as 100 feet.  If this firing function is used as a weapon, it deals 2d4 Piercing damage, and it takes a full-round action to retract it.  Retracting it from a creature deals an additional 1d4 damage.
The haft of the weapon conceals more than one secret button however, and a second one activates the "whirly" effect.  This loosens the blade on a chain, not enough to give the weapon reach, but enough to allow the wielder to use the Whirlwind Attack feat.
Additionally, 2/day if the spiked end of the Urgrosh is thrust into a rocky terrain ground, it creates an effect like that of Spike Stones.

[Darkxarth]

Bag of Necessity: - Any
At first this appears to be a Bag oh Holding of some sort, but items cannot be put into it.  If one tries to put an item into it, when they pull their hand (or claw/tentacle/etc.) out they find the item still there.  However, if they reach in to pull something out they can find one of the following.
- Potion of Cure Serious Wounds (heals 3d8+10)
- Ivory Goat of Traveling (Lasts only 3 hours)
- Bead of Force (as normal)

3 times per day the bag can be reached into and an item retrieved. The item pulled can be determined by willpower.  Concentrating on the word "Heal" or "Help" or "Potion" brings forth a Potion of Cure Serious Wounds.  Thinking "Travel" or "Escape" or "Goat" will allow the Goat of Traveling to be pulled from the Bag.  Similarly, "Attack" or "Capture" or "Bead" will produce the Bead of Force.  If the creature reaching into the Bag is not concentrating on any of these concepts, an item will be delivered at random.  The same item CAN be pulled from the bag multiple times per day, as long as it does not exceed the 3/day reach limit.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

I like your bag of necessity.  It's useful without being overpowered.  Very nice.

[Darkxarth]

I was pretty proud of that one, but I wasn't sure if it was too overpowered.  Glad to hear that it's reasonable.

Let's see, so far I've got:
Spellbook - Wizard
Ring - Any
Quiver - Any
Staff - Wizard
Sabre - Minotaur
Gem - Any
Urgrosh - Dwarf
Bag - Any

So I definitely, at the very least, need one specifically aimed at Soulknives, or more specifically the Giant, and one aimed at the Elven Bard.  I'd like to give them more of a choice than that, I was hoping for something like a dozen or so, but I guess we'll see.  Again, if anyone else has any items, or even ideas for items, that fall vaguely near the power level of the above weapons, or lower, please, post it/them.

[Tangential]

Does the Gem of Eternal flame literally prefent damage from sub-zero climates? If so that should be put into the itme in rule-ese.

The physics of a normal urgosh make me want to cry. The physics of a versatile urgosh make we want to bawl for hours. That aside it's a pretty munchy item granting a feat, awesome chain powers, a generic bonus and an at will 4th level spell.

I really love the Bag of Necessity. I'd like to steal it for a campaign I'm running. In return I'll throw out some ideas for other items soon.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

The obvious item for a bard is a musical instrument.  Perhaps one that can change forms and assume the form of any instrument, as well as turning into a walking stick (or rapier, or something else useful).

Through in a few random use/day spells with it and a +X bonus to Perform, and it's pretty nice.

Back when I did Kishar as D&D, I had these stats for an item a bard went searching for:

DAGDAâ,¬,,¢S HARP, THE: Adds a +3 bonus on all Perform checks using it.  If used for bardic music to inspire courage or competence, or greatness, the bonus granted improves by +1.  The harp can also be played (standard action) to produce one of the following effects, once per day each (10th level caster): sleep, cure light wounds, or sound burst.

Perhaps something like this.

A custom item for a soul-knife would be pretty hard.  Other than augmenting a class feature, I don't know what would make it for him and not any physical character.

A giant should get a club.  It's a classic.

[Darkxarth]

Does the Gem of Eternal flame literally prefent damage from sub-zero climates? If so that should be put into the itme in rule-ese.

The physics of a normal urgosh make me want to cry. The physics of a versatile urgosh make we want to bawl for hours. That aside it's a pretty munchy item granting a feat, awesome chain powers, a generic bonus and an at will 4th level spell.

I really love the Bag of Necessity. I'd like to steal it for a campaign I'm running. In return I'll throw out some ideas for other items soon.

Yes, the Gem protects the holder from the adverse effects of extreme heat and cold, at least within its parameters.  I'm not quite sure how to translate that into "rule-ese" though.

I brought Spike Stones down to 2/day (I forgot to add a limit for that, I'm gald you spotted it) and I decided to ditch the Bull Rush bonus.  I kept the chain ability (that was its original purpose) and the Whirlwind Attack bonus.

Feel free to use the Bag of Necessity, or any of the others if you want.  And I would be very grateful for any items or ideas you might have.

The obvious item for a bard is a musical instrument. Perhaps one that can change forms and assume the form of any instrument, as well as turning into a walking stick (or rapier, or something else useful).

Through in a few random use/day spells with it and a +X bonus to Perform, and it's pretty nice.

Back when I did Kishar as D&D, I had these stats for an item a bard went searching for:

DAGDAâ,¬,,¢S HARP, THE: Adds a +3 bonus on all Perform checks using it. If used for bardic music to inspire courage or competence, or greatness, the bonus granted improves by +1. The harp can also be played (standard action) to produce one of the following effects, once per day each (10th level caster): sleep, cure light wounds, or sound burst.

Perhaps something like this.

A custom item for a soul-knife would be pretty hard. Other than augmenting a class feature, I don't know what would make it for him and not any physical character.

A giant should get a club. It's a classic.

I love the bard idea, but the Elven Bard is a singer, so an instrument isn't very useful. :( Thanks though.
The Giant is the Soulknife, so another weapon wouldn't really be useful, or would it?  I've never played a Soulknife, or seen one played, so I don't know how much they rely on other weaponry.  Also a note on the Soulknife, it's technically a Half-Giant Half-Dragon (Copper I believe), with only 6 levels of Soulknife.

EDIT: I was just thinking that perhaps some item which allows him to manifest a couple of Psionic powers (probably also granting an extra Power Point or two) or maybe something that reflects his Draconian descent would be good for the Half-Giant/Half-Dragon Soulknife.