Pitlord
11-23-2002, 02:02
Due to a ruling in Spyclone's campaign it's not needed anymore to make use of the other means but the identify spell in order to identify the more potent items.
Anyway, i'd just like to point out what a few possibilities are to identify items.
A normal Identify spell is enough to find out what an item does that has only 1 ability.
Eg: a shortsword +1 would be fully identified, however a shortsword +1 of icy burst would still be identifed as a shortsword +1. Nothing is known about the second power. Ofcourse, with this example item you sooner or later would notice that while you're fighting with this weapon, you now and that when you hit them where it hurts you sometimes have an icing effect on your target. So by using it you can also find out more things about something, but by means of an identify spell this would simply register as a shortsword +1.
Last time, when the ruling was made, I made refference to a spell called (correct me if I'm wrong, I don't have the books here with me) Legend Lore. Through use of this spell you could by means of stories or legends or names, derive some of the more 'exotic' abilities of an item.
eg: Let's continue with this shortsword +1 of icy burst. You would 'divine' a story and maybe a name of an old elven-hero called Blueyes who was known for the use of his cold-emminating shortsword that went by the name 'The SharpTreeBranch of Ice'. That's more or less what this spell does if i'm not mistaken.
Anyhow, that's how I remembered the spell, but I'm not sure anymore if it can indeed be used in this way. At least it would give bards a nice way to tell new things
I also knew there was something else but I couldn't find the spell right away. When I started looking through the books when I was looking for info on recharching items I stumbled upon the other spell also, but I forgot to post about it back then.
The 3rd spell, the one I couldn't find, that I know of, of being capable of telling you what things do, is Analyze Dweomer. It's also a 6th lvl spell, just like Legend Lore (4th lvl for bards)but it's a bit more specific. You can target 1 object or creature with this spell.
The character discerns spells and magical properties present in a creature or object. One property, spell, or power is revealed each round, from lowest level (or weakest power) to highest (or strongest). For each spell or power, the character makes a caster level check (1d20 + caster level). If the result is equal to or higher than the spell's or power's caster level, the character identifies it. Otherwise, the character fails to identify that spell or power, and the character can check for the next one next round.
Not that this doesn't work on artifacts!
After the character analyzes one object or creature, the spell ends, even if its duration has not expired yet. Casting this spell is physically taxing and the character must make a Fortitude save (DC 21) when the spell ends or be exhausted and unable to do anything but rest for the next 1d8 hours.
The focus must be worth at least 1,500 gp.
This is more like the 2nd edition identify spell and it allows you to 'get to know the other abilities' on items.
I thought it would be nice to have the 3 spells somewhat compared next to each other to see why I kinda was opposed to the identify ruling It basically makes the 2 higher level spells obsolete ...
------------------
Camping is an ARTFORM ...
I HATE ART !!
One Ring to Bind them All ... SOJ !
party Meleecharacter: STOP STATTICING THAT LIGHTNING ENHANCED BOSS !!
me: Why? He can't hit me with his lightning, i'm out of his range
Meleecharacter's screen: Hit esc to continue, you lost money and experience
"conversation recorded between DevilKin and Lightfeather"
[This message has been edited by Pitlord (edited 22 November 2002).]
Anyway, i'd just like to point out what a few possibilities are to identify items.
A normal Identify spell is enough to find out what an item does that has only 1 ability.
Eg: a shortsword +1 would be fully identified, however a shortsword +1 of icy burst would still be identifed as a shortsword +1. Nothing is known about the second power. Ofcourse, with this example item you sooner or later would notice that while you're fighting with this weapon, you now and that when you hit them where it hurts you sometimes have an icing effect on your target. So by using it you can also find out more things about something, but by means of an identify spell this would simply register as a shortsword +1.
Last time, when the ruling was made, I made refference to a spell called (correct me if I'm wrong, I don't have the books here with me) Legend Lore. Through use of this spell you could by means of stories or legends or names, derive some of the more 'exotic' abilities of an item.
eg: Let's continue with this shortsword +1 of icy burst. You would 'divine' a story and maybe a name of an old elven-hero called Blueyes who was known for the use of his cold-emminating shortsword that went by the name 'The SharpTreeBranch of Ice'. That's more or less what this spell does if i'm not mistaken.
Anyhow, that's how I remembered the spell, but I'm not sure anymore if it can indeed be used in this way. At least it would give bards a nice way to tell new things
I also knew there was something else but I couldn't find the spell right away. When I started looking through the books when I was looking for info on recharching items I stumbled upon the other spell also, but I forgot to post about it back then.
The 3rd spell, the one I couldn't find, that I know of, of being capable of telling you what things do, is Analyze Dweomer. It's also a 6th lvl spell, just like Legend Lore (4th lvl for bards)but it's a bit more specific. You can target 1 object or creature with this spell.
The character discerns spells and magical properties present in a creature or object. One property, spell, or power is revealed each round, from lowest level (or weakest power) to highest (or strongest). For each spell or power, the character makes a caster level check (1d20 + caster level). If the result is equal to or higher than the spell's or power's caster level, the character identifies it. Otherwise, the character fails to identify that spell or power, and the character can check for the next one next round.
Not that this doesn't work on artifacts!
After the character analyzes one object or creature, the spell ends, even if its duration has not expired yet. Casting this spell is physically taxing and the character must make a Fortitude save (DC 21) when the spell ends or be exhausted and unable to do anything but rest for the next 1d8 hours.
The focus must be worth at least 1,500 gp.
This is more like the 2nd edition identify spell and it allows you to 'get to know the other abilities' on items.
I thought it would be nice to have the 3 spells somewhat compared next to each other to see why I kinda was opposed to the identify ruling It basically makes the 2 higher level spells obsolete ...
------------------
Camping is an ARTFORM ...
I HATE ART !!
One Ring to Bind them All ... SOJ !
party Meleecharacter: STOP STATTICING THAT LIGHTNING ENHANCED BOSS !!
me: Why? He can't hit me with his lightning, i'm out of his range
Meleecharacter's screen: Hit esc to continue, you lost money and experience
"conversation recorded between DevilKin and Lightfeather"
[This message has been edited by Pitlord (edited 22 November 2002).]