Russell Taylor

Gloves of Force Shaping

Woven from phase spider silk, these gloves are visible only as a faint distortion in the air. When worn, they grant the ability to see and identify the nature of force effects, even ones that are normally invisible. Three times per day, the gloves allow their wearer to manipulate force. As a standard action, the wearer can create a 5-foot square force wall (as a wall of force spell), or a 10-foot square if a full-round-action is used. Optionally, the wearer can instead create a hole in an existing force effect (even a wall of force or forcecage). The hole created can be as large as a 5-foot cube as a standard action, or a 10-foot cube as a full-round action. If this is larger than the force effect in question, the effect is suppressed entirely. In any case, the force wall, hole or suppression lasts for 3 rounds. The wearer must have at least one hand free to use the gloves, no command word is required.
Moderate evocation; CL 11th; Craft Wondrous Item, disintegrate, see invisibility, wall of force; Price 12,500 gp.

I really like the flavor (phase spider silk, how cool is that!), but the force manipulation is pretty specialized.

And how does it interact with other common force effects, like magic missile?

I really really like these. Yes, they are specialized, but that is good. If only they let you deflect magic missiles, that would be rad! MMs target unerringly, so I would say that the force wall wont stop them but the cube would (note: had he said "like the shield spell" I woudl have a different opinion of what the wall could do). I would mark it off a tick for not addressing the most common force effect more specifically (MMs) but I think enough is there to adjudicate it.

I really like these.

I dont want to downgrade them for practicality in this case. I mean, do you really need to manipulate force effects 3/day? BUT on the flip side, you can make a temporary cube of force 3/day which is one of my favorite items--which I am hesitatnt to give out because it is so powerful. These gloves let me play with CoF without giving out a real one.

I also think this is a riff on what is, for me, one of the real iconic wondrous items--the cube of force (along with the helm of brilliance, boots of speed, bag of holding, etc, the true classics). I want to reward that.

These are keepers for me.

I like 'em too, and I'm probably weighing the "phase spider silk" thing more highly than I should, because it's such a cool idea and it fits the theme so well.

Kept.

Nice item, Russell. Grats for getting a bump!

This is a fun item. I agree that an interaction with other force effects being spelled out would be cool, like magic missile and spiritual weapon. With the item being gloves, it would be especially cool if it granted a deflect arrows effect versus magic missiles. However with the space limitations, I'm guessing that some of these extra effects simply couldn't be squeezed in.

Very cool. Good luck in round two!

Hey Russ, when did you make top 32? Congratulations man. Nice item by the way.

Hey Russ, when did you make top 32?

One of the original top 32 missed the Round 2 deadline. Russ got the spot. I can't wait to see what he wrote up.

This is a fun item. I agree that an interaction with other force effects being spelled out would be cool, like magic missile and spiritual weapon. With the item being gloves, it would be especially cool if it granted a deflect arrows effect versus magic missiles. However with the space limitations, I'm guessing that some of these extra effects simply couldn't be squeezed in.

You are correct, I ran short on words :) Originally, I wanted to allow either an immediate or readied action to counter a force effect directed at the wearer. I was leaning towards immediate, as no one readies to counterspell. It can suppress a spiritual weapon as written, but it could stand to be clearer. With a longer word acount I would have required a touch attack against a mobile force effect (spiritual weapon, mage's sword, shield, mage armor, hand spells).

I do have to say, the 200 word limit was valuable. It forced me to dial back the concept of the item to something more concise, and less of a "anything you want with force" toy.

You sneak! You made it in!

Very creative and interesting item. Particularly like the cost to utility mechanics. Good luck with your country.

Congradulations Russ! I'm going to tempt my DM to let my character but some of these. (He's has a bad habit of using forcecage!) :)

Congratulations, I hope you had time to create a country as interesting and playable as this item.

Congratulations, I hope you had time to create a country as interesting and playable as this item.

Thanks for the feedback (and to everyone else as well). We'll see about the country in just a few hours!

Useful, not overpowering and clearly presented. A top notch submission.

I like this item a good bit as well. I think it is slightly under-priced, even given it does not make cubes of force as some noted above, just squares/walls, which is quite appropriate. It simulates one of the most useful Disintegrate uses, opening up a Wall of Force. Seeing them is also quite nice.

Magic missile seems simple - would go around if it can (i.e. the wall doesn't block a small corridor/trapdoor).

Bravo, and good luck!

When worn, they grant the ability to see and identify the nature of force effects, even ones that are normally invisible.

Does this make invisible effects visible (like normal objects) blocking line of sight? Furthermore, does identifying the nature of the spell extend to the point of identifying the spell or effect used, duration and duration left, or caster level?

Overall I like the item concept, good job.