Key of Closed Doors
Aura moderate conjuration; CL 7th
Slot - ; Price 7,000 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.
Description
A wrought-iron key with the image of a closed eye engraved on the handle. With a command word and placed in an area no greater than 12' in any dimension, an upright door is created to fill the space. The door attaches and hinges itself to the opening.
The key creates a strong wooden, iron-barred, non-magically locked (DC 25) and arcane locked door. The lock is tied to the key that created the door. The door created is an actual item and cannot be dispelled. The key can create one door per day.
In addition, the key casts open/close (close option only) upon anything it touches.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous item, secure shelter, open/close; Cost 3,500gp
Kept.
Wolf, I absolutely agree. And what is the word count, maybe 130 words? Who says you need 200 to make a superstar item.
Not bad, certainly not a run of the mill item.
If the door is locked with arcane lock, it should include that spell in the Requirements section.
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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Congratulations on making it to RPG Superstar 2009!
This is a really good item. It's straight, direct, to the point. It has a clear theme and several interesting abilities tied to that theme, and they are useful at low levels and at high levels.
Sean is correct in pointing out that arcane lock should be included in the construction section, but that's a pretty minor quibble.
For anyone who thinks you can't make a clean, quality, interesting item in 200 words, here is an entry that probably took half of that and hit all the marks.
Summary: Good job! Look, it's a key that makes doors. No one will mistake it for a helm of brilliance in terms of gonzo awesomeness, but items don't have to be dramatic and powerful to be really good items.
Contributor, RPG Superstar
aka Leandra Christine Schneider
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After one reading I knew what it did without any doubts or little checkups for exploits needed. Although my heart didn’t start to beat faster, I honour the tight design.
Positive
A very tightly designed item that leaves nothing to be desired in the mechanics category.
Very good pricing too!
Negative
Actually, I can't spot much worth mentioning here except the arcane lock issue and the question of what happens with the key after the door is created (I assume its lies there just in front of the door ready for pick up…but you didn’t exactly mention it).
After reading all entries:
I’d have to say that you can surely turn it up a notch or two, but this item is solid, unique, without drawbacks, and ranking good. I’m with it and welcome you to the RPG Superstar!
aka Robert G. McCreary
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Not much to add that the others haven't already said - solid, clean, useful, tight design and mechanics. I'm not even concerned about the lack of arcane lock in the prerequisites (and prereqs are kind of a pet peeve of mine) because you've got a higher level prerequisite (secure shelter) that already includes arcane lock in its effect. That, to me, shows really tight design and knowledge of mechanics. This excellent work - great job! Hope to see more of the same in upcoming rounds. Congratulations on joining the ranks of RPG Superstar!
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4
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Well, I read it twice ... and I still don't see how you could use it to cause explosions.
Hmm.
Well, I guess if you've got a thing for doors, this might do the trick.
*grin*
In all seriousness, this is tight, smart design. The use of secure shelter was a stroke of genius, and I like that the Key actually makes a door.
Not summons a door, but MAKES a door. Nothing on the other side of it except wall - unless the wall is thin enough that the door now connects to something on the other side. Heck, you could use it up and down a hallway searching for a secret passageway on the other side of the wall, making a door a day until it's riddled with densely packed doors, one after another. Literally a wall of doors.
I suppose, now that I think about it, that you could potentially fill the other side of one of the doors with explosives. That would maybe give this item a little more UMMPH.
*grin*
Point being: well done, congratulations, and I look forward to seeing more of your work in subsequent rounds of Superstar!
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka JoelF847
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This is a great item, and I echo what all of the judges have said. I have to assume that since the key opens the lock it creates, that it also allows the user to bypass the arcane lock effect. There is one slight problem I see - with the constant close effect from open/close on everything it touches, how can you actually use it to unlock and open a door you have created? As soon as you unlock the door and try opening it, the key would slam it shut.
I really like the Key. The system part is very solid and reminds me of how much my entry is shabby in that department.
My players would scoff at such an item, but personally - I blame them for lacking the patience to build a stronghold. I grew up with the Baldur's Gate CRPG series, and I love the idea of having your own keep and/or a dungeon.
This item would spice up any such place for sure. And now that I think about it, a villain can make the lives of PCs miserable with this item when they face him in his lair.
I really like it. This is to my mind exactly what a wonderous item should be. The worst i can say for it was that it did take to read throughts to get how it worked locked down in my mind. Other than that a very, very well deserved top 32 item that will be going into my home game.
Since I've never used Rope Trick in my games, can someone explain the advantages this item would have over Rope Trick for the mid-level adventurer that could afford this magic item?
First of all congrats on making it in. I've read this one 3 times and still don't get how it works.
"an area no greater than 12' in any dimension" On my first readign I thought i was like a portable hole. 2nd reading I was confused. 3rd reading it sounded like you put it in the middle of a opening and it makes a door but then someone else mentioned putting it against a wall to find secret doors?. So now I'm confused again.
"non-magically locked (DC 25) and arcane locked door" really threw me, it sounds like it's contradicting itself? Is it saying the door is locked and it also has an arcane lock spell cast on it? Does that make it harder to open than a door that is only arcane locked? (too lazy to look it up).
"The lock is tied to the key that created the door." The first time I read this I had no idea what it meant. The second time I thought the lock was separate from the door somehow. 3rd time didn't help. Now the 4th time, I get it. You can use the key to open any door that it creates. Right?
"In addition, the key casts open/close (close option only) upon anything it touches." Doesn't the close spell allow you to close doors/windows from a distance? But with this you have to touch it with the key, so why not just close it manually?
This is a great item. It's got real "old-school" style like it's straight outta OD&D. I like that this item encourages the players to think outside the box. Too many items are focused around combat and things associated with combat. Here's something simple that can help you in so many ways if you just put your mind to it.
I think there are a few minor wording issues that need to be cleaned up with this item. This one line is the source of most of the confusion:
"With a command word and placed in an area no greater than 12' in any dimension, an upright door is created to fill the space." I think this needs to be worded a bit better, maybe expanded to two sentences just so we know where and how to activate the item and rule out any potential for abuse.
This is a fun item, with a lot of utility that the initial read through hides pretty well. And as was mentioned, recognizing that secure shelter already incorporates arcane lock shows a lot of insight. Congratulations on making it to the next round!
"an area no greater than 12' in any dimension" On my first readign I thought i was like a portable hole. 2nd reading I was confused. 3rd reading it sounded like you put it in the middle of a opening and it makes a door but then someone else mentioned putting it against a wall to find secret doors?. So now I'm confused again.
As I read the item, your third interpretation seems to be correct. It can't be used to create arbitrary doors in walls, as it sounds as if it requires an unobsructed area in which to function. Perhaps that could have been worded better. Of course, if one bashes a hole through a wall, it seems as if the key would work as well; one could end up with some really irregular door shapes.
"non-magically locked (DC 25) and arcane locked door" really threw me, it sounds like it's contradicting itself? Is it saying the door is locked and it also has an arcane lock spell cast on it? Does that make it harder to open than a door that is only arcane locked? (too lazy to look it up).
Looks like a mundane lock in addition to the arcane lock effect. The spell ignores the individual that created it, but anyone else trying to pass an arcane locked door has to do so by magical means, or destroy the door.
"The lock is tied to the key that created the door." The first time I read this I had no idea what it meant. The second time I thought the lock was separate from the door somehow. 3rd time didn't help. Now the 4th time, I get it. You can use the key to open any door that it creates. Right?
That's how I understand it.
"In addition, the key casts open/close (close option only) upon anything it touches." Doesn't the close spell allow you to close doors/windows from a distance? But with this you have to touch it with the key, so why not just close it manually?
Though open/close does normally work at range, and as a result the usefulness of this effect is limited, it does have tactical applications. For example, instead of spending time in combat to close an open door, just brushing the key against it does so for you.
"an area no greater than 12' in any dimension" On my first readign I thought i was like a portable hole. 2nd reading I was confused. 3rd reading it sounded like you put it in the middle of a opening and it makes a door but then someone else mentioned putting it against a wall to find secret doors?. So now I'm confused again.
I'm picturing it like a "Wall of Door" spell. ;) Or something similar to how web works.
Actually, I really like this one. I'm thinking about giving a villain in my game a bunch of one-shot items like this to work as a means to escape the party.
I'm thinking about giving a villain in my game a bunch of one-shot items like this to work as a means to escape the party.
What villain wouldn't want one of these for a hasty escape?
How many times have I had to camp in a room with that nasty opening that we cannot bar or block, yet moving on is a worse choice for the party that needs to rest now? This is an awesome item for the dungeoneering party.
I would keep this item in my pocket along with a swiss army knife. This Item offers a new way to tie up (um.. lock in) the loose ends of an encounter. Nice!
I would like to see how the cost was computed?
Looks to be (Caster Level x Spell Level x 1800)/(7).
It is the (7) that I am not getting. :(
I like the idea behind the Key of Closed Doors. It definitely has "adventurer utility belt" written all over it. I would say it fits into the "Spellpunk" genre almost perfectly, and being that its the default genre for D&D, I'll give you kudos there.
On the downside, the writing is pretty bad. I'm not sure the idea is inspired enough to overlook that.
This is a pretty good item, congratulations.
A very neat utility item. Straight forward and useful. It has an old school feel too, which is fun. I also like the visual description.
Am I reading the description right? In that it is both locked (dc 25) and arcane locked? As in, they are stacked?
Thank you greatly for the chance of Superstar-dom and the criticism/commentary. I endeavor to improve.
The DC given is for the nonmagical part of the lock, and is thus even more difficult to open due to arcane lock.
I had originally planned on including arcane lock in the construction requirement, but I saw that secure shelter included said spell in its effect and decided against the redundancy. At least, that was my thinking at the time.
Pricing used the formula as if it were secure shelter once per day, with a 50% reduction to account for the fact it only created a door instead of an entire building. After some price comparisons, I thought it could stand to be more expensive due to the permanent nature of the door (and thus seen at slightly higher level). Thus I included the minor closing ability.
In retrospect, I should've included text elaborating that it doesn't cost an action for the item to close things; which is a freebie for such a minor effect, especially in a system where cantrips/orisons are available all day to casters.
I like this one. I could see both a character of mine or a NPC of mine having this item handy.
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Key of Closed Doors
Aura moderate conjuration; CL 7th
Slot - ; Price 7,000 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.
Description
A wrought-iron key with the image of a closed eye engraved on the handle. With a command word and placed in an area no greater than 12' in any dimension, an upright door is created to fill the space. The door attaches and hinges itself to the opening.The key creates a strong wooden, iron-barred, non-magically locked (DC 25) and arcane locked door. The lock is tied to the key that created the door. The door created is an actual item and cannot be dispelled. The key can create one door per day.
In addition, the key casts open/close (close option only) upon anything it touches.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous item, secure shelter, open/close; Cost 3,500gp
This is awesome; and what a great name!
I really like the core concept behind this item. Very cool flavor and utility to it. One of those things where you slap your forehead and wonder why no one's invented this item before. So well done. Can't wait to see what you do in future rounds. Best of luck!
My two-cents,
--Neil
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6
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Dedicated Voter Season 6
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When I first started reading, I was expecting something like the robe of useful item's window patch. I like that this is more useful than that. A cheap wall item is a nice touch, and the small maximum size of the wall restricts abuse.
So, could you use this as a petty cash generating item by unmounting and selling the door?
As a member of the Most Honorous Guild of Doormakers, Windowcarpenters and Gatecrafters I have to stress that use of this item in the boundaries of the city is punishable by guild-law with at least 12 lashes and/or a fine of up to 2000 GM.
;-P
Nice one! I will use this to annoy my players soon... ^_^
Whoa do I feel dumb.
I had to read 2/3s of the posts here before I could figure it out. I'm still unclear. Some of it's me, but...
Some of the wording is def. clunky, with unclear referents.
"With a command word and placed in an area no greater than 12' in any dimension, an upright door is created to fill the space." -
The subject of the sentence only appears after 19 other words (incl. two weirdly coupled dependent clauses)- and when it does appear, it's in the passive voice.
I'm still not sure I'm getting the mechanism of the object right (in fact, I'm sure I'm *not* getting it totally right) - but I envision something more along the lines of:
"When used with a command word, the key creates an upright door in an unoccupied area no greater than 12' in any direction."
Anyway- I love the poetry of the idea, and its utility; I'm just still a bit befuddled.
Regardless- this is a cool entry!
Congratulations!
Andrew,
Congratulations!
I really like this item. I have to tell you, I've actually been kicking an idea like this around in my head for months, but I've been completely unable to make it work. Then I read your item description, and my first thought was, "That's it! That's what I've been trying to come up with. I couldn't get it right after months of banging my head against it, but this guy made it perfect. Wow!"
This is seriously one of the most useful, most well written, best executed items on the list. It leaves me really excited to see what else you'll submit.
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When I first started reading, I was expecting something like the robe of useful item's window patch. I like that this is more useful than that. A cheap wall item is a nice touch, and the small maximum size of the wall restricts abuse.
So, could you use this as a petty cash generating item by unmounting and selling the door?
doubt it
only the owner of the key can open the door...
Nice! I want this one for some of my characters! Congrats for being chosen, as well!
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RPG Superstar 2013
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Dedicated Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Steven T. Helt
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I think this is an idea where the raw idea is more powerful than the mechanics or the writing. To me, the item is a 'spell in a can' in the sense that it serves the same function as a wall of ice or whatnot. You make a barrier, and the barrier in time. Either the ice melts, or the key opens the door back up. The writing is not great, and has confused a few readers.
However, the image that comes to mind when a key is inserted in midair and a doorframe and door appear. That's fun stuff. Imagine the first time you spring that on a party. Fun!
So...a fresh and simple idea that parties and villains will want to have handy. It needs cleanup, but it is Superstar imagination at work. Anxious to see what else you do with the contest!
This item grabbed me with its concept. As other people have already remarked, the visual of the door popping into existence is just great. I love this kind of item, as it's the sort of thing that PCs have to think about in order to utilize it to its full potential, and that has a ton of potential uses. I'm looking forward to reading about your villain.
CR
This reminds me of The Lost Room.
A movie with some really great ideas for magic items IMO.
Well done. Simple, elegant, and useful. Consider this yoinked for my game :D Congrats.
Creativity: Have I seen something like this before? I’ve seen similar “make an obstacle” items, but this provides an amusing mental image.
Utility: As a game master, would I want one of my villains or PCs using this? At least one of my players would find creative ways to drive me nuts with this.
Inspiration: Does the item inspire new scenes, characters, or plots? Would I change my game to fit it in? I’m considering putting one into my game, placed so that one of the less active players will encounter it. She needs something to encourage more active play and this suits her character’s style.
Clarity: Are the item and its functions described well? Areas of confusion included whether the item could make doorways in solid material (it shouldn’t, as I read it) and how its close function interacted with the other functions.
Balance: As presented, is the item subject to abuse? Is it useful, but not overpowering? This utility item might not seem very powerful at first glance, but has hidden potential.
This is pretty dang cool. One of those things that my players would find creative uses for.
So, could you use this as a petty cash generating item by unmounting and selling the door?
If nothing else, as long as they have a sturdy axe/hammer and this key, the party will never lack for firewood...
Whip together a quick "doorframe" of sticks and twine 19' on a side, use the key, and voila! instant raft...
They'll also have a slow-but-potentially-infinite supply of locks (all openable by the key), iron bands, and bolts/studs (that fastened the bands to the door). I could see this item being worth a LOT to, say, a plains-roaming centaur tribe, whose lands contains few trees to supply wood and no mountains to supply iron ... almost as valuable as a decanter of endless water in the desert.
(edit) Oh, and hinges. Which, being something that requires moderately-precise crafting to function, should be saleable. For that matter, simply being able to craft non-magical duplicates of the key should make the locks saleable as well.