Magic Item Creation Rules

The following content was contributed by (and used by permission of) Robert Conley of Bat in the Attic Games from Magic Item Creation Costs, a supplement for The Majestic Wilderlands but which is usable in any Swords & Wizardry Campaign.

Overview

There are several types of magic items, potions, scrolls, charms/runes, wands, rods, staves, weapons, armor, and miscellaneous objects. The principle for creating magic items is straightforward. You gather the needed components, and perform the correct rituals for a set amount of time.

The lower case d in the prices stands for denarius, a silver penny. This reflects the silver based economy of the Majestic Wilderlands. For a gold based economy I recommend making 1d equal a gold piece.

Buying Magic Items

In general any of the items here will be sold for 2 times its cost.

Potions

Potions require a laboratory worth 5,000 d. This requires ordering items and services from glassblowers (40%), potters (20%), chandler (20%), carpenters (10%), and masons (10%). Potions take 1 day per 50 d worth of components to prepare. For example a Potion of Healing takes 2 days as well as 100 d worth of components to prepare while a Potion of Flying takes 10 days due to the 500 d worth of components.

The cost of potions is as below.

Table: Potion Creation Costs

Item	Cost (d)
Animal Control	200
Clairaudience	200
Clairvoyance	300
Diminution	300
Dragon control	1,000
Ethereality	500
Fire resistance	200
Flying	500
Gaseous form	300
Giant strength	700
Growth	200
Healing	100
Healing, extra	400
Heroism	300
Invisibility	200
Invulnerability	300
Levitation	200
Plant control	200
Slipperiness	300
Treasure finding	500
Undead control	400

Scrolls

Scrolls require quills and ink along with paper, parchment, or vellum to write on. Materials for 100 scrolls may be purchased for 1,000 d from a Lexigrapher.

Scrolls require 100 d of components per spell level and take one day per 100 d worth of components to prepare. For example a Scroll of Fireball takes 3 days as it is a 3rd level spell taking 300 d worth of components. Up to eight spells may be scribed on a single scroll.

The eight types of protection scrolls (Demons, Drowning, Elemental (type), Magic, Metal, Poison, Undead, Were-creature) take 1,000 d of components and two weeks to prepare. The effects of the protection (modifiers, area, and duration) may be double for four times the cost and double the time (4,000 d and one month).

Cursed scrolls take 2,000 d in components and two weeks to prepare. Creators of cursed scroll need to roll a d20 and add their dexterity to the roll. If they roll a 20 or higher then they prepared the scroll without mishap. If they roll lower than a 20 then they made a mistake in handling the scroll and it takes effect on the creator (saving throws apply). Spells and potions effecting dexterity need to be cast every day of preparation to gain their bonus.

Charms

Charms are the simplest of magic items to make. Charms are similar to scrolls and wands in that they are used to cast the spells stored within them. Unlike scrolls the charm are rechargeable. Charms can come in the form jewelry or articles of clothing like bracelets, necklaces, diadems, belts, or stoles. Only item may be enchanted as a charm and the item has to be of fine quality. Like scrolls the item cost is consider part of the creation cost. Material for a 100 charms may be purchased for 1,000 d from a Clothier, or Jeweller.

Charms require 200 d of components per spell level and take one day per 100 d worth of components to prepare. For example a Charm of Strength takes 4 days as it is 2nd level spells taking 400 d worth of components. Only one item may be enchanted as a charm. Caster can get around this limitation by enchanting jewels or coin sized medallions and hanging them off a necklace, belt, or bracelet.

Unlike scrolls, charms can be recharged for considerably less cost. Recharging a charm requires 50 d of components per spell level. The time require to complete the recharging ritual is one day per 100 d worth of components. For example a Charm of Strength has been used in a recent foray into the dungeon. It will take 100 d worth of components and 1 day to recharge the charm.

Runes

Runes are similar to the use of scrolls, charms, and wands. A rune can be temporary or permanent. A temporary rune is created much in the same way as a scroll. When used, the rune-caster touches the rune and is able to cast the spell that round. Afterwards the rune dissipates. The creation of Runes require tools for fine carving. Tools for Runes may be purchased for 500 d from a Mason or Jeweller. Material for a 100 runes may be purchased for 500 d from a Jeweller or Mason.

The permanent rune is created in the same manner as a charm item; then infused with a spell as per the charm rules. The Rune-caster merely has to touch the rune to activate it and can cast the spell that round

Unlike charms multiple runes may be inscribed on a single object, provided there is physical space for the rune. Runes are typically 1 to 3 inches in size. To size of the rune is the spell level divided by two, round up.

The art of rune-creation is only known to the rune-casters of the dwarves and the Order of Thor.

Magic Items

The creation of magic items requires the creation of a sanctum the centerpiece of which is the enchanter’s circle. The creation of an permanent enchanter circle requires 5,000 d in components. In addition 5,000 d worth of equipment need to be purchased. This requires ordering items and services from metalsmiths (10%), potters (10%), chandlers (10%), carpenters (30%), and masons (30%).

For a single magic item a temporary enchanter’s circle may be used. A temporary enchanter’s circle requires 2,500 d of components. In addition 1,000 d worth of equipment needs to be purchased along with a secure, quiet space in which to conduct the enchantment.

Weapons & Armor

Table: Potion Creation Costs

Weapon or Armor	Cost (d)
+1 damage only missile	5
+1 damage only missile weapon	250
+1 damage only melee weapon	150
+1 missile	10
+1 missile weapon	500
+1 shield	250
+1 melee weapon	300
+1 armor	500
+2 missile	30
+2 missile weapon	1,500
+2 shield	750
+2 melee weapon	900
+2 armor	1,500
+3 missile	60
+3 missile weapon	3,000
+3 shield	1,500
+3 melee weapon	1,800
+3 armor	3,000
+4 missile	100
+4 missile weapon	5,000
+4 shield	2,500
+4 melee weapon	3,000
+4 armor	5,000
+5 missile	150
+5 missile weapon	7,500
+5 shield	3,750
+5 melee weapon	4,500
+5 armor	7,500
+1 damage vs. foe	+100
+2 damage vs. foe	+300
+3 damage vs. foe	+600
+4 damage vs. foe	+1,000
+5 damage vs. foe	+1,500
Extra attack	+1,500
Destroys Undead	+3,000
Throw and Return to hand (thrown weapons only)	+500 d
Sheds Light, 15 ft. radius	+50
Sheds Light, 30 ft. radius	+100
Flaming Weapon	+500
Freezing Weapon	+500
Dancing Weapon	+1,000
Finds Trap (at will)	+750
Sees Invisible (at will)	+1,000
Clairaudience (at will)	+500
Fly (at will)	+2,000
Levitate (at will)	+1,000
Cure Light Wounds (1/day)	+500
Dwarf Abilities (at will)	+500
Elven Abilities (at will)	+500
Confusion (1/day)	+1,500
Awaken from Danger	+750
Arrow Deflection (25%)	+1,000
Detect Law/Chaos (20 ft.)	+1,500
Alter Visage	+750
Detect Cursed Item (50%)	+1,000
Walk through Stone (20 ft.)	+2,000
Level Drain Immunity	+3,000
Arrow Deflection	+3,000
Ethereal Armor	+5,000
Fiery Armor	+4,000

Intelligent Weapons

Intelligent weapons have a bound spirit that inhabits the weapon.

Table: Intelligent Weapon Creation Costs

Feature	Cost (d)
Intelligence Score	+200 d per point
Telepathy, with wielder only	+0 if Int >3
Telepathy, 10 ft. radius	+5,000
Can speak	+2,500

Demonic Items

Demonic items have a bound demon. The item gains the intelligence and knowledge of the demon. The wielder gains the demon’s special abilities.

Table: Demonic Item Creation Costs

Feature	Cost (d)
Binds demon to weapon or armor	500 d per Demon HD

Wands

Wand magic is a development of combining rune magic and charms to make an item that more capable of storing spells. Once crafted, wands may be recharged by simply casting the spells into them. This can be done with a memorized spell or by a spell cast by ritual.

Table: Wand Creation Costs

Feature	Cost (d)
Spell level (max 4th)	500 d/spell level
10 charges	x4
5 charges	x2
2 charges	x1
Wand of Enemy Detection	1,500
Wand of Metal Detection	1,000
Wand of Magic Detection	1,500
Wand of Traps & Secret Doors Detection	3,000
Wand of Polymorph	2,000
Wand of Fear	1,750
Wand of Cold	4,000
Wand of Paralyzing	2,000

Rings

Table: Magic Ring Creation Costs

Type	Cost (d)
Protection +1	1,500
Protection +2	3,000
Invisibility	2,000
Mammal Control	1,000
Fire Resistance	1,000
Poison Resistance	1,500
Elemental Summoning	5,000
Greater Elemental Summoning	10,000
Human Control	5,000
Regeneration	5,000
Shooting Star	5,000
Spell Storing	1,000 d/lvl/per spell
Spell Turning	8,000
Telekinesis	5,000
Three Wishes	50,000
X-ray Vision	5,000

Staffs

Table: Staff Creation Costs

Type	Cost (d)
Absorption	8,000
Beguiling	5,000
Command	5,000
Healing	5,000
Power	15,000
Resurrection	10,000
Snake	7,500
Striking	5,000
Withering	7,500
Wizardry	20,000

Miscellaneous Items

Table: Miscellaneous Item Creation Costs

Item	Cost (d)
Arrow of Direction	600
Bag of Holding	5,000
Boots of Elvenkind	1,000
Boots of Speed	2,000
Boots of Leaping	2,000
Bracers of Defense, AC 6[13]	1,500
Chime of Opening	3,000
Cloak of Elvenkind	1,000
Cloak of Protection, +1	1,000
Decanter of Endless Water	1,000
Dust of Appearance	1,000
Dust of Disappearance	2,000
Dust of Sneezing and Choking	300
Gauntlets of Swimming and Climbing	1,000
Horseshoes of Speed (horses)	2,000
Luckstone	2,500
Manual of Beneficial Exercise	5,000
Pipes of the Sewers	2,000
Rope of Climbing	1,500
Rope of Entanglement	1,500
Spade of Excavation	1,000
Amulet against Scrying (A)	5,000
Boots of Flying (A)	4,000
Bracers of Defense, AC 4 [15]	2,500
Bracers of Defense, AC 2 [17]	3,500
Carpet of Flying	8,000
Cloak of Displacement	3,000
Cloak of Protection, +2	2,000
Cloak of Protection, +3	4,000
Deck of Many Things	2,500
Figurine of the Onyx Dog	1,000
Gauntlets of Ogre Power	1,500
Helm of Reading Magic and Languages	1,000
Hole, Portable	5,000
Horn of Valhalla, Bronze	1,000
Horn of Valhalla, Silver	2,000
Jug of Alchemy	2,500
Manual of Quickness	5,000
Medallion of ESP, 30 ft.	1,500
Medallion of ESP, 60 ft.	3,000
Mirror of Mental Scrying	5,000
Robe of Blending	4,000
Robe of Eyes	5,000
Robe of Wizardry	6,000
Amulet of Demon Control	12,000
Beaker of Potions	2,000
Item of Controlling Elementals	4,000
Crystal Ball	2,000
Efreeti Bottle	10,000
Figurine of the Golden Lion	2,500
Gauntlets of Dexterity	1,000
Gem of Seeing	2,000
Girdle of Giant Strength	2,000
Helm of Fiery Brilliance	3,000
Helm of Teleportation	4,000
Horn of Blasting	5,000
Horn of Valhalla, Iron	5,000
Lenses of Charming	5,000
Libram, Magical (fighter)	10,000
Libram, Magical (magic-user)	10,000
Libram, Magical (cleric)	10,000
Libram, Magical (rogue)	10,000
Manual of Golems	3,500
Manual of Intelligence	5,000
Manual of Wisdom	5,000
Necklace of Firebaubles	500 per 6d6 fireball
Scarab of Insanity	15,000

Cursed Items

Table: Cursed Item Creation Costs

Item	Cost (d)
Bag of Devouring	500
Censer of Hostile Elementals	300
Cloak of Poison	800
Crystal Ball of Suggestion	800
Dancing Boots	1,000
Flask of Stoppered Curses	250
Horn of Collapse	1,500
Medallion of Projecting Thoughts	300
Mirror of Opposition	500
Robe of Feeblemindedness	250

Cursed Armor

Table: Cursed Armor or Shield Creation Costs

Item	Cost (d)
-1 Armor	250
-2 Armor	750
-3 Armor	1,500
Attracts Missile and give +1 to Hit for those Missiles	+500
Causes wearer to run away from combat	+250
Causes wearer to run into combat	+750

Cursed Weapons

Table: Cursed Weapon Creation Costs

Item	Cost (d)
-1 Weapon	150
-2 Weapon	450
-3 Weapon	900
Attracts Missiles and give +1 to Hit for those Missiles	+500
Causes wielder to run away from combat	+250
Causes wielder to run into combat	+750

---