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Matt Spectre wrote:

Philosopher’s Apple

*Brace yourself. We blew off some steam assessing this one...

*"Feint" conjuration? Really? Wow.

*Do you really need to describe an apple as a "spheroid with...a slight dimple..." and "a squat azure crystal stem"...? C'mon. Just call it an apple made of adamantine!

*Ugh. A gravity item. Makes reference to "Planar Adventures rules." Yuck.

*How does the apple know how to strike "the last user" after it "implodes and disappears" before falling from the sky? And after it does, you suddenly become all Sir Isaac Newton and discover the principles of gravity? Can you say "joke item"...?

*Then, the Arcanamirium awards these items to those who excel in Planar Studies. LOL. Yeah, right. That's pretty much the only way you can get one, I guess.

*Good gracious. This thing is all kinds of messed up.

*Let it fall into the inescapable gravity well of a blackhole and never be heard from again.

*Vote. To. Reject.

*Reject.

*I'm not going to wait for our fellow colleagues. There is no way either of them would keep this.

*I was confused at first, wondering how this related to the philosopher's stone. Then I realized it's referring to Isaac Newton. :p

*Rejected.

Thank you for the criticism. I will use it towards improving my design skills for next year.

A big thanks to all of the judges for taking the time to provide this feedback. This contest has been lodes of fun. I'm new to the community and look forward to cheering on the Top 32...

Philosopher’s Apple
Aura strong transmutation, moderate evocation, feint conjuration; CL 16th
Slot none; Price 154,000 gp; Weight 2 lbs.

Description
This small adamantine spheroid is etched with a contour grid and contains a slight dimple with a squat azure crystal stem.

Once per day, as a standard action, the apple may be activated to create an invisible area of heavy gravity emanating outward in a 20 foot radius and lasting 8 rounds. Activation requires pressing down the stem and subsequently throwing it using the Throw Splash Weapon special attack (20 foot range) or placing it as desired.

Once placed, the apple locks immobile and its grid bursts with azure light. Grounded and flying creatures caught within its radius are slammed prone for 1d10 points of damage and, if flying, an additional 1d10 points per 10 feet pulled downward. Affected spellcasters must make a Concentration check (DC 20 + spell level) or lose their current spell.

The environment mirrors the effects listed for Heavy Gravity under the Planar Adventures rules. Anything entering the area suffers its effects immediately. Creatures exiting must make a Reflex save DC 25 or trip due to the jarring nature of changing gravities. Huge or greater sized creatures partially caught in the area ignore the above effects and are merely considered entangled.

When complete or dispelled, the apple implodes and disappears. After 1 hour, it falls from the sky striking the last user inflicting 4d6 points of damage (Reflex DC 15 for half) and imparting the benefits of brilliant inspiration for 4 hours or until a natural 20 is rolled.

These apples are awarded to faculty of the Arcanamirium for outstanding research and significant contributions in the field of Planar Studies.

Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, brilliant inspiration, retrieve item, reverse gravity; Cost 77,000 gp