LORDLY PAVILION

Aura moderate conjuration; CL 7th
Slot -; Price 50,400 gp; Weight 25 lbs.

DESCRIPTION
This bright white canvas tent appears as any military field quarters from the outside, with accoutrements for displaying a nobleman's banners, but protects as well as a strong stone building. An alarm secures the sole entrance, silently alerting the traveling aristocrat when anyone uninvited crosses the threshold.

Inside the seemingly simple tent appear lavish furnishings for the pampered noble: a large camp stove, a camp bath, an armor stand, a writing desk and chair, a trestle table with eight stools, and a finely crafted bed. Ornate, woven rugs cover the level, dry 15' x 15' floor. An unseen servant acts as squire, attending to the lord's every need. Neither the servant, nor the furnishings, can leave the tent.

The proper command causes the shelter to set itself up and take itself down. When collapsed, the canvas packs into a bundle measuring 2' x 6" cylinder. Any items not originally part of the tent - including any occupants - will be unceremoniously dumped on the ground when the pavilion packs itself.
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CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, secure shelter; Cost 25,200 gp

You know I hate camping items. They're awfully mundane, as a rule, making water, food, and shelter. Boring stuff.

This may be the first camping item I like this year. It's got style. It's got attitude. It says "I'm an adventurer, and damn, I am better than you."

It's the sort of item that Cugel the Clever would find and lose in a Jack Vance story.

Keeper.

I'm with you, Wolf. The reason why camping items are so often bad is that they take away the hazard of wilderness travel. Much like maps that map themselves take away the metagame issue of mapping, or camping items that protect you from nightly wandering monsters, those things just suck the fun out of important aspects of the game of pen and paper D&D. D&D is not a computer game where you can just port to your desitnation or where you can turn "automap" on in the options menu.

This item, while a camping item, doesnt do any of those no nos. Instead, it is a clean, tightly designed item. But what I like about it is its pimpy swagger.

Kept.

It has style, but it's still a spell-in-a-can. But it's still neat. Heck, one of my characters may have had something like this, long ago.

Yeah, it's a spell-in-a-can, but I like camping items, the little mundane things that make adventuring bearable. And it gives the fighter a chance to camp in style, since he can't cast secure shelter or any of the other similar spells. I would definitely use this.

Two minor quibbles though: a rod of splendor can create a nice tent to camp in, and give you some stylin' threads and a Charisma bonus to boot, but it's only 25,000 gp, so I think the pricing on the pavilion might be a little off.

And it dumps everything inside when it's packed up? It might be nice to keep your extra clothes, armor, some rations and stuff inside so you don't have to carry it. Then again, that would just make it into a big portable hole, so maybe it's a good restriction after all.

Forgot to add: Congratulations on joining the ranks of RPG Superstar!

Congratulations on making it into RPG Superstar 2009!

I like this item. It's a camping item without being a "ha ha, I'm immune to everything and scoff at weather, wandering monsters, etc." item. It is also, as the other judges have so aptly pointed out, intentionally pimptacular.

As to Rob's question about why this would be twice the price of the rod of splendor, which also makes a big tent (and a much bigger tent at that, with food, plus fancy clothes, plus a +4 enhancement bonus to CHA), the reasons are these:

1. The rod can only make a tent once a day. This item can be used as often as you like.

2. The rod's tent is, well, just a tent. This item creates the appearance of a tent, but it is as strong as a stone building (immune to normal missile fire other than siege engines. Exactly how strong the walls are is unclear. If we use a default 1-foot-thick masonry wall, the tent has hardness 8, 90 HP, and a break DC of 35. Since the pavilion is a permanent item, not a spell effect, it would be a good idea to specify whether damaging a section of wall destroys the item, or how it can be repaired.

The item is really much more comparable to Daern's instant fortress, which makes an empty, non-pimperrific metal tower rather than a comfy tent. The fortress is 55,000 gp and harder to damage (hardness 20, 100 hp - though vaguely written, not stating if that's for the whole tower (madness!) or per 5-foot section (logical, but unstated)) but is virtually impossible to repair.

Summary: I think the price is about right, it's neat and fun (especially for those who can't cast all those nice camping spells!), and it needs only a little more information about the building's strength (and the same goes for the SRD fortress). I like this item a lot. Good job!

I don't like camping items (and I see I am not the only one at that). As much as they are useful, they are boring. The pavilion is an exception because of its unique style and well writing. I mean " unceremoniously" was really cool given the fact that it is a lordly pavilion.

Positive:
Well written item that actually made me smile in front of the screen.
Most players just love to boast before the NPCs, so you can’t be that wrong with a poser item like that.

Negative:
It is just a camping item, and an expensive one at that.

After reviewing all other items:
I liked this one better than some of the utility items, but I am still not fully convinced. Having no mechanical issues is a factor that speaks for this entry.
Welcome to the *bling, bling* RPG Superstar 09 *bling, bling* and enjoy your new forum bling tag (I assume there is one this year too)!

As to Rob's question about why this would be twice the price of the rod of splendor, which also makes a big tent (and a much bigger tent at that, with food, plus fancy clothes, plus a +4 enhancement bonus to CHA), the reasons are these:

1. The rod can only make a tent once a day. This item can be used as often as you like.

2. The rod's tent is, well, just a tent. This item creates the appearance of a tent, but it is as strong as a stone building (immune to normal missile fire other than siege engines. Exactly how strong the walls are is unclear. If we use a default 1-foot-thick masonry wall, the tent has hardness 8, 90 HP, and a break DC of 35. Since the pavilion is a permanent item, not a spell effect, it would be a good idea to specify whether damaging a section of wall destroys the item, or how it can be repaired.

The item is really much more comparable to Daern's instant fortress, which makes an empty, non-pimperrific metal tower rather than a comfy tent.

Jason Nelson wrote:

As to Rob's question about why this would be twice the price of the rod of splendor, which also makes a big tent (and a much bigger tent at that, with food, plus fancy clothes, plus a +4 enhancement bonus to CHA), the reasons are these:

1. The rod can only make a tent once a day. This item can be used as often as you like.

I want one of these so bad that my teeth hurt.

As a guy who camps out in the woods with relative regularity, and spends absurd amounts of time at Ren Faires, I'm seething with actual, real-life jealousy at the idea of a slick, ostentatious home-away-from home with a quick (presumably one round) packing-away time.

I even love it that the Pavilion turns into a 2-foot by 6-inch, 25 lbs. tight-rolled cylinder - so you can strap it to your horse, or have your manservant carry it, along with your clothing, your banner & your extra lances.

In a lot of ways, it makes me think of the awesome HBO show Rome - those moments when Caesar, Posca and Antony stood around in the opulence of the Imperial command tents, casually chatting about political affairs while men died in droves a few hundred feet away were stunning, and an item like this would bring any PC a step or two closer to the rank of Emperor.

Amazing work, and I look forward to seeing more as Superstar! continues!

I had thought about including information about the wall hardness and repairing it, but I was hitting that 200 word monster.

As to the cost, well it was Lvl 7 caster x 4th Lvl Spell x 1,800 which is cost multiple for a Command activated item.

While I read the entry, whenever I thought "When the heck is one going to use that?", my doubts soon drifted to "...This looks so cool."

Really, I have to think a while to come up with suitable situations for the use of this item, but when I do - Boomer gave a very fitting example - I can't help but smile devilishly.

I like this. I'd worry, as a player, that an enemy wizard would have an easy target for a fireball, meteor swarm, what have you.

Congratulations!

I appreciate that it doesn't do any of the bad things that a camp item should do, but isn't it just the littlest bit dull?

Z, funny you would say that. I have to admit, when I clicked on the name of the item in our forum of pending items waiting to be reviewed I was all ready to reject it. I had formed a bias against it. Another cheesy camping item, I said to myself. The first line didnt really change my mind. Then it grew on me. And grew on me. When we got to pampered noble I was hooked. This item, to me, was a lot like a low level magic item--it is hard to design low level items that are sexy and fun. Similarly, its hard to make camping items that are sexy and fun and that dont suck the fun out of tabletop gaming. This one is pimpy. Just my 0.02. Now you guys are the judges. So in the end, it is your opinion, not mine, that matters.

It's got tactical uses as well. If the tent is like stone, then you can set up a 15x15 square on the battlefield that's fairly resistant to damage. You could block off a doorway with it. You could use it for cover. You could hide your heal-bot cleric in there from enemy fire. You could lure mages into wasting an action fireballing it. You could create bottlenecks with it.

I like this one :) Yes, any arcane caster can whip up a shelter for the group, but not with the style of the pavilon. Plus, the pavilon is always there, ready for use, and the caster may be out of juice before camping for the night. And what if *gasp* you don't have an arcane caster in the party?

Finally, I can just see the originaly foppish lord that ordered this item to be created for him -- couldn't get himself all uncomfy on campaign, could he? ::laughing::

As an item, it makes almost no sense. It is so expensive that it is beyond the sensible price range of even most kings. Beyond, a happy couple consisting of an archmage and a dragon. that both like the great out doors, but to soft to camp. The only people who could ever even consider owning one of these without causing civil unrest are adventures, and to be honest, for them it is a completely unnecessary frivolity which could be better deal with using the words "you find a really b%!*@in' tent." It is a completely personal thing, but to me it seems utterly without point, now I should go sleep before I start trying to tell a wall how I am unappreciated in my own time and that I hate pink elephants when they dance inside my skull.(it is very late here and I'm very tired.)

As an item, it makes almost no sense. It is so expensive that it is beyond the sensible price range of even most kings. Beyond, a happy couple consisting of an archmage and a dragon. that both like the great out doors, but to soft to camp. The only people who could ever even consider owning one of these without causing civil unrest are adventures, and to be honest, for them it is a completely unnecessary frivolity ...

Before I get started, congratulations on making it through the first round!

As a campaign headquarters this has promise, though the fact that it dumps out everything takes away from its utility. A commander's maps and equipment would need to be removed before taking down the pavilion. Not even his heavy armor, reserved for actual combat, could remain on the armor stand. And if the tent is seeing heavy combat conditions that would require its defenses, it's only a matter of time until the enemy forces storm the front flap. How large is this entrance, anyway?

As loot for an adventurer, I have to agree with Zombieneighbours. It's an item I would rather sell to buy something useful in combat. My distaste for this increases even more because it is in fact a spell in a can, and what's more it's a spell in a can that's been done before. In numerous shapes and flavors, no less.

Zombieneighbours wrote:

As an item, it makes almost no sense. It is so expensive that it is beyond the sensible price range of even most kings. Beyond, a happy couple consisting of an archmage and a dragon. that both like the great out doors, but to soft to camp. The only people who could ever even consider owning one of these without causing civil unrest are adventures, and to be honest, for them it is a completely unnecessary frivolity ...

That's actually a good point. I think of it as "The Owlbear Objection."

Compared to Instant Fortress I see this as much more fun for the players. Just my .02

As an item, it makes almost no sense. It is so expensive that it is beyond the sensible price range of even most kings.

But that Caster Level x Spell Level x 1800 is pretty clearly spelled out in the magic item addendum.

This seems ideal for NPCS or *cough* well-roleplayed PCs *cough* of a certain type.

I like it. It implies certain things about those who own it, and certain things about the world it exists in.

That's my kind of mojo.

Plus the name is leet.

The Lordly Pavilion is a very utilitarian idea, and appeals not only to adventurers but also to nobles who would be wealthy enough to afford it, thus making it easy to believe that such an item would exist in most D&D campaign worlds.

It is also well written.

Superstar material, in my opinion. I very much look forward to seeing what you come up with in Round 2.

Congrats on making the top 32. I have to add my voice to the side that, while it's very well writen, it's a very expensive item that most players would just sell, and seems more appropriate for NPCs. In addition, I was wondering as a 15x15 tent, what happens if you try to activate it in a space too small for the tent, say a 5' wide corridor?

Now that's the kind of camping equipment I would want!

You know, it is overpriced, but it's stylishly overpriced. It's like the luxury car of camping items. You aren't paying for effect; you're paying for prestige. If PCs find one lying around in a dungeon, they'll likely sell it. But if they meet an NPC who owns one, they'll likely say, "Wow, that guy must be loaded!"

Or they rescue a little girl from bandits, and assume that she's just a peasant. But then it comes time to camp and she pulls out her lordly pavilion. At which point the PCs realize that her facial features bear an odd resemblance to those of the emperor, who just happens to be old enough to be her father.

Zombieneighbours wrote:

As an item, it makes almost no sense. It is so expensive that it is beyond the sensible price range of even most kings.

Actually, for the most part I would agree with you. And if the cost formula was not so clearly defined, I would have made it a might less expensive. :(

But that Caster Level x Spell Level x 1800 is pretty clearly spelled out in the magic item addendum.

But congratulations on reaching the top 32.

I like it. It takes a dull concept - the camping item - and spices it up so that a PC would want to buy one. I'm not sure that I'd like the price so much if I was a player, but if I found one of these sitting in a treasure hoard, it'd be a keeper.

Carl Flaherty wrote:

Zombieneighbours wrote:

As an item, it makes almost no sense. It is so expensive that it is beyond the sensible price range of even most kings.

Actually, for the most part I would agree with you. And if the cost formula was not so clearly defined, I would have made it a might less expensive. :(

But that Caster Level x Spell Level x 1800 is pretty clearly spelled out in the magic item addendum.

Except the Instant Fortress which has already been mentioned has a market price of 55000 gp, even though it has construction requirements of a 7th level spell (mage's mansion) and a 13th level caster according to the information on Page 60 of the Beta web-enhancement.
Which is where I guess 'the art of pricing magic items' which has come up on at least one other thread that I am aware of comes in.... :D

But congratulations on reaching the top 32.

(The rules clearly stated that "Incorrect Math" would be grounds for diqualification. Motivation to toe the line.)

You are abosolutely right, the Instant Fortress would be 13 x 7 x 1800 = 163800 under the strictest interpretation of the rules. (Page 19 of the Magic Item Addendem.)

By that same "discount" the Lordly Pavilion would come in at arroun 17,000. (Which is closer the price I am more inclinded to use, maybe up to 20,000.)

This one is definitely a grower. I was lukewarm after a first reading, but a day later it is quickly climbing in my personal rankings.

I think the only tweak I might have liked would have been a drawback, a mechanic to increase random encounters when the tent is used or something along those lines. (He said, thinking from the GM's perspective...)

Unseen servant should probably be one of the requirements for this spell. Essentially, it's a smaller magnificent mansion. I guess the lavish factor isn't playing well with me, since we already have the rod of splendor's pavilion effect. I like the writing, but I'm hoping to see a villain entry that walks further from established ideas.

Unseen servant should probably be one of the requirements for this spell. Essentially, it's a smaller magnificent mansion. I guess the lavish factor isn't playing well with me, since we already have the rod of splendor's pavilion effect. I like the writing, but I'm hoping to see a villain entry that walks further from established ideas.

Actually, the Unseen Servent is already a component of the Secure Shelter spell. :)

Clever!

Congratulations!

The pavilion has style points,but it's certainly not a low level item for 25G.

Having come off an epic FR game where the adventures resorted to 1: go out into Acererak's death traps for about half an hour, 2: kill a winter wight in exactly either two rounds or twenty (and minus an epic PC), 3: head back to Gond's Ninth Level Pavilion to refit the extended implosion and such; I am happy to see a camping item that is a little tough but not impenetrable.

But it's totally a spell in a can, and at best a 'riff off' of several other spells and magic items that do the same thing. And my opinion counts little this round, but I think your next entry will definitely has to have no hint of a derivative.

Well, written though. If your villain is unique, I think you'll have an advantage in the coming round.

I feel this is a spell-in-a-can. A clever, well-written and nice one, but still a s-i-a-c (siac?). Nonetheless, congrats!

I like the concept -- this is one of those rare items that I can see players liking despite its not providing any bonuses to mechanics or aid in combat. As others have said, it's an item for a high level character that lets them express how high level and awesome they are. Best of luck in the next round.

CR

This item fills a niche that's underutilized. I think it's tightly designed and well-written. Great job! Welcome to the Top 32. And good luck in the villain round...

My two-cents,
--Neil

Now that I can breathe again. ;)

Thank You for your kind, and constructive, comments.

Carl --

Congrats on Top 32!

Now, I've said before -- cool mental images and story-telling get my brain going, and your item doesn't even have much in the way of pesky mechanics to get in the way of "Pimp My Tent." That, I like.

Dumping ALL extraneous gear strikes me as awkward, especially if there's an armor stand in there that will dump the armor. Makes it harder to carry spares, or shiny and impressive ceremonial armor. Perhaps some kind of attunement for items is in order -- at least to let battle plans, maps, hidden security daggers, etc. stay in the tent?

I'm less excited about this than I would be if that rod didn't already exist. But it's still a lot of fun, and very easy to add to a game.

Congratulations again!
-S

Carl --

Congrats on Top 32!

Now, I've said before -- cool mental images and story-telling get my brain going, and your item doesn't even have much in the way of pesky mechanics to get in the way of "Pimp My Tent." That, I like.

Dumping ALL extraneous gear strikes me as awkward, especially if there's an armor stand in there that will dump the armor. Makes it harder to carry spares, or shiny and impressive ceremonial armor. Perhaps some kind of attunement for items is in order -- at least to let battle plans, maps, hidden security daggers, etc. stay in the tent?

I'm less excited about this than I would be if that rod didn't already exist. But it's still a lot of fun, and very easy to add to a game.

Congratulations again!
-S

I added some stuff that people have commented on in this thread (I also gave it what I feel is a more approprate price). B.T.W., It now weighs in at 245 words. :)

I want one of these. I have a character with very low self-esteem. I think this would help him to find his inner Mr. I'm-Kind-of-a-Big-Deal.

I have a character with very low self-esteem. I think this would help him to find his inner Mr. I'm-Kind-of-a-Big-Deal.

Tarren Dei wrote:

I have a character with very low self-esteem. I think this would help him to find his inner Mr. I'm-Kind-of-a-Big-Deal.

Gee...I wonder which character that would be? ;-D

The words "dumped unceremoniously" really make this for me.

Congrats on top 32!

Negative:
It is just a camping item, and an expensive one at that.

I would feel like a roman general in one of this, like Caesar preparing for battle... I absolutely love it :D

my militant cleric wants one!

Creativity: Have I seen something like this before? Sorry: This one joins a number of other sheltering objects and spells that have turned up over the years.

Utility: As a game master, would I want one of my villains or PCs using this? It's a decent item, but just didn't turn me on.

Inspiration: Does the item inspire new scenes, characters, or plots? I could easily picture a villainous variation on this theme, a portable torture chamber or sinister lair...

Clarity: Are the item and its functions described well? The pavilion's interior was clearly and effectively described, but the phrase "protects as a stone building" isn't clear enough. What happens when an attacker tries to enter it?

Balance: As presented, is the item subject to abuse? Is it useful, but not overpowering? While the pavilion is a good idea, it's awfully expensive. The description of the pavilion's defensive properties sounds like a rules argument waiting to happen: The spells it mimics are much more specific, describing the doorways, windows and other points of vulnerability.