Orcus Of Undeath's page

I'm back for another 9 months guys. Lets do this :) I'll try to have something by the end of the week, and post some reviews along the way.

After two weeks of exams I'm back. And what do I see? Jacob in the top 16.

I applaud you sir, as well as the rest of the people who made it to top 16 (I recognize some of you as well :) )

Jacob, you did not disappoint me! Tis' a great entry indeed. Very flavorful and seems like a kind of monster that would be fun to weave into a story and not just drop onto the party.

Well, I *was* feeling less stressed than last go-around, but not anymore, Orcus! Thanks for nothing! :)

Rob, wow! I thought I was ahead of the game, but I'm going to take a couple more days to fiddle with it.

Hahaha, any time Jacob :)

Congrats to the top 32. Jacob, I'm expecting a mind blowing monster from you :)

Orcus Of Undeath wrote:

It took me a while to be able to tell you guys apart instantly, but lately, I've been managing.

Really? I wish I could do that!

Glad to hear you're feeling better.

Orcus Of Undeath wrote:

It took me a while to be able to tell you guys apart instantly, but lately, I've been managing.

Darn, he's on to us - quick, do the shuffle...

Its too late! I shall impart my knowledge unto the people!

Thanks for the kind words guys. I'm feeling much better now. They patched me up good.

/wishes some of the comments were about his item, but sees nothing pointing to that fact.

Same here. Practically not even a word. But then again, I really did not expect much from this year. I spent most of the time before Superstar deadline in a hospital, as I was mugged and beat up the day before Christmas Eve. I discarded the item that I sent to Anthony for review, because I didn't know what to do with it. And I barely managed to get my item in. It works, but I don't know exactly how well it works.

Nickolas Floyd wrote:

One of you Jacobs has to change your avatar. Even your tags are the same. You are like clones or something.

I learned last year at least one person out there in fact refers to us as the clones. I prefer a different analogy, myself. After all, "we have a plan."

Vote Jacob.

It took me a while to be able to tell you guys apart instantly, but lately, I've been managing.

My item made it through.

BTW The name of one item in particular made me laugh so hard, and I don't think was intended to.

I love this thread.

Well I just saw an item that is a sole block of text. The name, the qualities, the crafting ... Everything is only separated with a single space.

Some items I've seen would make great module/campaign specific items, but not wondrous items however. Such a shame...

I've seen some pretty good items. That's all the praise I can muster for now.

Oh man, I've just seen an item that has such a great idea, but has been very poorly designed.

Saw my item. Fortunately, I didn't have to vote it down, because the other item had zero formatting and was pretty bad.

Oh dear ... I just saw an item with an apology about the format in it.

Hnnng, seen a lot of items that have the bold formatting on the title, where it doesn't format.

Son of a ... I just realized I did this too. Even though last year I did it correctly ... A year of blazing nine doesn't prepare you for your own folly.

I'm noticing a definitely nonsmall number of alcohol-themed items.

That's weird, because I'm getting some pirate related items. Coincidence? I think not.

I just saw an item that had a crafting price of a few thousand gp, and actual price of nearly 100.000 gp.

This may seem harsh but I will almost always downvote non-formatted items. Only if the item blows my mind will I give it a vote.

People, please read both the Blazing 9 OP and the RPG Superstar rules before posting anything related to your item.

I did in fact submit it. I have to ask though my item is disqualified which I'm ok with but am I unable to just bring in a new item? Or is it wait a whole year and put up a new item?

As you are only allowed to enter one item for the RPG Superstar, and your only item got disqualified, you are no longer allowed to enter items this year.

You too! Let's see that dragon in the Top 32 :)

I'll give it my best :)

Jacob W. Michaels wrote:

Welcome aboard, Christian, however belatedly. Just to make sure you know, by posting this it's no longer eligible to actually be your entry.

First thing I see is you've removed all the BBC code for your item. The name, aura, CL, slot, price, weight, description, construction, requirements and cost should all be bold. This is one of those things that'll get a lot of voters to just reject you out of hand, so definitely make sure you copy the template correctly.

It's got some other formatting issues -- these aren't critical if your item is otherwise great, but for a lot of people these things are tie-breakers, that let me choose why to vote down your item over others. The aura and slot should both be lowercase. You're also missing a space between Price and 3,000. The first letter of feats -- i.e. Craft Wondrous Item -- should be all uppercase (and Item is singular). The spells should be lower case and italicized. You've also got an extra space between the last spell and the semicolon.

Some other style things to keep in mind. Iron, in the first sentence, doesn't need to be capitalized. When you use the name of the item in the description, it should be lowercase and italicized. Be careful of some other verbiage as well -- you use cross bolts, for example, instead of crossbow bolts. Druid doesn't need to be capitalized...

OK, getting away from some of the more mechanical aspects, I feel like the writing in your first graf is a little choppy. For example, "The Ferrous fleece has two different states attract and repel, the wearer decides if the fleece attracts or repels which can be changed by taking it off and putting it back on" basically repeats that it can attract or repel. I'd try to smooth out the flow of that sentence; you can probably eliminate the first part completely. Instead of rusted looking fleece, would rust-colored fleece be a better descriptor?

I think the last sentence in the first paragraph especially is confusing and not needed: First of all, you

...

If you already submitted your item, then it is most unfortunate, because you already entered an item, but then posted it, which is against the rules and you are disqualified.

Hopefully that's not the case.

Don't forget - anyone posting to this thread has until Friday 20th December to PM me one item of their choice for a template and general review. It must be via PM on this site so as not to break any anonymity.

One item, one review per person who posted an item on this thread. Must be PM'd to me on this site. Turn around per item will be around 1-2 days unless they all get posted to me that same day :P

This post is the cut off for this offer. I will stop reviews after 26th December, so if I don't manage to get to your item before then, it's probably because I got swamped.

Ball is now with you everyone.

Thanks Anthony. I'm going to need you to prevent me from doing something incredibly stupid with my item. As usually is the case. Just gotta get it ready for the template fu in time.

Also I'd just like to take a moment to wish good luck to all Blazing 9 regulars. You did a good job this year. May it pay off.

I immediately started panicking when I saw the 7 hour deadline. Then I realized that the deadline was 1st of January. I've got so many half finished items. The next year's Blazing 9 is probably going to be filled with them.

Serbia here. You've got nothing to worry about.

Taking Clark's advice, here is my first draft of an item that started with the cool visual effect - cool being quite literal for this one...

Sliders
Aura moderate evocation; CL 7th
Slot feet; Price 6,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Description

Grass instantly freezes, crunching beneath the tread of these white dragon hide thigh high boots.

These constantly steaming boots alter the wearer's movement into an ice dancer’s glide for six rounds, increasing their speed by 20 feet, and leaving in their wake a trail of permafrost sheet ice lasting for four rounds. Treat this icy trail as difficult terrain for all but the wearer. The permafrost trail has sufficient strength to bear the weight of the wearer when used to cross streams, rivers and small lakes.

Enclosing an area by causing the trail to cross itself forces the area to fill with an icy sheen, the same thickness, properties and effects as the trail surrounding it. All creatures but the wearer must make a DC 16 Reflex save or fall prone.

Creatures susceptible to cold are slowed (as slow) when they start their turn standing on the permafrost ice left by the boots.

Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, wall of ice; Cost 3,000 gp

Superstar year 1 old school word limit friendly too! :D

Let's see ... A bit of awkward wording at " white dragon hide thigh high boots".

Saying that something leaves a layer of permafrost for four rounds is sort of an oxymoron. Permafrost is layer of ice that has persisted for a long time. Perhaps a better wording would be simply a sheet of ice.

I like the area enclosing. I had something similar in stock for my Superstar item, but decided against it, because I found something too similar. It does have some cinematic value.

As far as the mechanics go, I don't see any flaws.

Overall a pretty nice item.

Clark's Avi was orcus.

Haha, I derped out. Thanks for clearing it up.

Yeah, rewrite sounds like a good call. Personally, I'd add something like being able to slide up walls, trees and that sort of thing. It runs with a theme and its easy to add. Just add spider walk into the list of spells and voila.

(And WHAT HAPPENED TO ORCUS? I suspected an imposter for a moment!)

What do you mean? :)

Mad Doodad wrote:

Slug Boots

So to sum up, I think you've got some nice visuals. I was a little confused on some of your mechanics, but if it's doing what I think it's doing, I think it's a nice item. Thumb's up from where I'm sitting. If this is indeed your first item, I think you're off to a really good start.

I gotta agree with this. For a first item it is indeed very good.

Orcus Of Undeath wrote:

But your item doesn't bring anything new to the table. Grease spells can be cast one next to the other and achieve the same effect. There are boots that allow you to walk across slippery surfaces. As for me, a spell in a can is anything that doesn't diverge enough from its core spell. Your item does diverge from the grease in that the wearer can create a path of grease, but I don't think that's enough.

Also - Extreme hot - Desert conditions, Extreme cold - Arctic conditions.

On another note, this is by no means Superstar material. It doesn't have the cool factor that Clark just talked about. The idea isn't bad, but its not Superstar material.

Thanks Orcus. Any tips I can gleam are always welcome. I understand what you mean a bit better now and will apply your words to my next idea. I might not be superstar material but I'll still try! :)

You misunderstood. I didn't say that you weren't Superstar material. Just that this particualar item isn't Superstar material. Don't get discouraged. Keep at it.

Tripping Tikka Horn

Aura moderate evocation; CL 9th
Slot wrists; Price 8,000 gp; Weight 2 lbs.
Description
Course gray hair lines the outside of this twisting horn. Bone carved into a wolf’s muzzle makes the mouthpiece. A lone wolf howls across the distance when sounding the horn.
Sounding the horn after speaking the command word garners a haunting response from distant wolves. One round later 2d4 invisible wolves race toward the designated target and attempt to trip him (CMB 12 + number of wolves) before disappearing in ghostly echo.
Alternatively the wolves guard the horn-blower. Any successful melee attack against the horn-blower provokes a free trip attack (as above). The wolves last for four rounds in guard mode.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, ghost sounds,interposing hand; Cost 4,000 gp

I dinnae know what a tikka is, but it was on this menu so I went with chickens. A bit similar to last year's item when all was said and done.

I'm sorry, Curaigh, I completely missed your item.

Lets see here. I like the imagery that you offer. You don't see this kinda description often.

Wolves tripping someone is a pretty classic move, but for such a short notice, I probably wouldn't have come up with anything more inventive.

Its too bad that wolves only do tripping, even as a secondary ability. You could have done something else to further the theme. Like something along like this: Wolves or the horn can perhaps do a sonic attack, seeing how the item is a horn. You know, making a howling an actual attack. Like as long as the wolves are there the horn can make a terrifying howl that mimics a werewolf, causes fear or something like that

I like your the choice of imposing hand, but why ghost sound? It does keep with the theme, but doesn't make sense with the mechanics.

Now that I'm not a judge, I can perhaps offer a few ideas.

Some of you, particularly in this thread, are really good at mechanics. Like, really good. This may sound strange, but I think just about everyone in this thread is good enough at mechanics to make the top 32. That is not your problem.

Let me ask you this, when you design an item are you trying to do a mechanic and then picking a cool idea to fit it, or are you looking for a superstar idea and then finding the mechanic?

If (1), you are doing it wrong, if (2) you are doing it right.

Find the coolness. Find the superstar idea. You all have the mechanics chops to then write the item you come up with. It is two things: (1) the core idea, and (2) the name, that you guys in this thread have to work on.

Find the killer idea and item. A beautifully designed ok item doesnt advance. You guys here know your mechanics good enough.

Just my $0.02.

Clark

In my case I start from an idea and then try to incorporate it into the game through the mechanics. Granted, often the idea is a flop, and its hard to come up with something that has a high cool factor, but still make it into something even remotely useful.

Thanks for the advice Clark. Its always great to have someone like you lend a helping hand.

Orcus Of Undeath wrote:

Welcome to the Blazing 9. You're a bit late to the party though :)

First of all, the item is a spell in a can. Meaning, its an item that does pretty much the same thing as a spell. In this case, its grease. Its just got some good flavor, and I commend that.

The last sentence is unnecessary. Its rather limiting for a wondrous item. I don't think it works well. It does work with the flavor, but adds nothing to the mechanics. You also don't define extreme hot and cold conditions. Does endure elements negate this?

The writing itself is fairly good. Its not awkward and the wording seems clear.

As for the format, your spell is not in italic font. Descriptions and construction should not be capitalized. Those are the mistakes I found.

Thanks for the critique Orcus. I appreciate you spending the time to read it over. I realize I'm a bit late to the party but better late then never right?

I can see your point about it being a dreaded 'spell in a can' but at the same time I humbly disagree. I feel that this term gets thrown around to much. My item does in fact have similarities to the spell grease but to say it's 'pretty much the same thing', in my opinion, is wrong. I think you can probably connect every item to some spell effect in the game by now if you tried. The idea behind the item is to cause a shareable slippery effect that slows you down. How would I ever create a slippery effect for an item without someone saying 'spell in a can' - grease? I don't like how 'spell in a can' can hinder creativity. I believe the label should be used for such items that are actually just as if you had cast the spell. Thoughts?

On your question about whether endure elements would prevent the use limitation of the item, the answer would be yes as per the spell description. I'm not sure of the best way to define 'extreme hot/cold'. Any help would be great.

Evan Draughon wrote:

Well this is my first item I have created for practice and someone recommended

...

But your item doesn't bring anything new to the table. Grease spells can be cast one next to the other and achieve the same effect. There are boots that allow you to walk across slippery surfaces. As for me, a spell in a can is anything that doesn't diverge enough from its core spell. Your item does diverge from the grease in that the wearer can create a path of grease, but I don't think that's enough.

Also - Extreme hot - Desert conditions, Extreme cold - Arctic conditions.

On another note, this is by no means Superstar material. It doesn't have the cool factor that Clark just talked about. The idea isn't bad, but its not Superstar material.

Welcome to the Blazing 9. You're a bit late to the party though :)

First of all, the item is a spell in a can. Meaning, its an item that does pretty much the same thing as a spell. In this case, its grease. Its just got some good flavor, and I commend that.

The last sentence is unnecessary. Its rather limiting for a wondrous item. I don't think it works well. It does work with the flavor, but adds nothing to the mechanics. You also don't define extreme hot and cold conditions. Does endure elements negate this?

The writing itself is fairly good. Its not awkward and the wording seems clear.

As for the format, your spell is not in italic font. Descriptions and construction should not be capitalized. Those are the mistakes I found.

You've still got time. They haven't announced the contest yet, and even then you'll have a couple weeks. : )

As for your item:
CL isn't bold, but otherwise the template use looks good to me.

Your visuals are throwing me just a touch. When I think "sand," I don't really think rusted silver. Actually, I don't think silver can rust; I think it just tarnishes. (Hmm, quick search shows it can rust, but much more slowly than iron.) Still, I think copper or brass, which I associate more with desert/sand, would work better. Or maybe even sandstone...

Powerwise, I think you've got a nice tight theme, but you've got some odd phrasing and need to focus on a few more details.

Quote:

Up to five times per day, after hitting a target with an unarmed melee attack, the wearer of the gauntlet can chose to activate the gauntlet’s primary ability. If the target does not pass a Fortitude check with a difficulty class of 18 he is blinded for 1d4 rounds (minimum of one).

Instead of saying the wearer can choose to activate the gauntlet's primary ability, just say the wearer can activate the gauntlet's primary ability (or even better use more descriptive words and say the wearer can spray hot sand into the target's eyes). Then, I'd copy wording from published items. It's more streamlined to simply say "the target must succeed at a DC 18 Fortitude save (not check) or be blinded for 1d4 rounds." I'm not sure why you list a minimum, when 1d4 gives a de factor minimum of one. A holdover from an earlier draft, I'm guessing?

Along those lines, 5/day seems like an odd amount to me. I guess there's nothing wrong with it, but I think it's getting up to the point that you just say they can do it whenever. I think I'd limit it to three times a day or make it any time the user has a critical hit.

Again, the odd wording continues in the next graf. You write "the wearer of the gauntlet may declare an attempt to encase a Large or smaller creature in glass." It's less wordy to write "the wearer can try to encase...

Yes, the wording got very bizarre, even to me. At one point I just gave up on the item and did some fixes here and there. There were five total drafts of this item and it all kinda got jumbled. I get your point about simplifying the sentences.

5 per day seemed right to me. It is indeed an odd number, but I went with it.

The trapped creature is meant to have one chance to escape or remain in the glass. The HP and hardness can be calculated from the HP/hardness table (per inch). Its permanent until broken.

I looked a LOT into what spells I could use for it, and lacking some better fits I decided to go with the flow of the theme. I guess it didn't pay off.

Thanks for the in-depth review :)

Suddenly I've got nothing. None of my items came together as I though they would. Gotta figure something out ASAP.

Here's one of those items:

Sandstrike Gauntlet

Aura moderate conjuration; CL 9th
Slot hands; Price 18,000 gp; Weight 5 lb.
Description

This rusted silver gauntlet is enveloped in ragged red silk, hanging freely from simple golden buckles. When shaken or used in battle, hot sand is sent flying from beneath the rags.

Up to five times per day, after hitting a target with an unarmed melee attack, the wearer of the gauntlet can chose to activate the gauntlet’s primary ability. If the target does not pass a Fortitude check with a difficulty class of 18 he is blinded for 1d4 rounds (minimum of one).

Once per day, the wearer of the gauntlet may declare an attempt to encase a Large or smaller creature in glass. After being hit by an unarmed melee attack, the target must pass a reflex save with a DC of 18 or be encased in glass casing five inches thick. During the following round the trapped creature may attempt to break out of the glass with a strength check with a DC of 15, or remain encased until broken out. If the glass is broken, the encased creature takes 2d6 damage. Anyone trapped in the glass is not subject to suffocation.

Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, burning hands, shifting sand; Cost 9,000 gp

Yeah I had Brew Potion in my last year's Jagged Cauldron Superstar entry. That was probably the best thing about the item (Other than the name, I've got some good feedback for that).

Quote:

Why is feathered flight superior to webbed/leather flight (Am I missing something here?)? I mean, historically there WERE flying reptiles.

There were flying reptiles, and other very large reptiles, and those ended up evolving into birds. Which was sorta the point of the item--take a dinosaur and give them a quasi-evolution right away. Birds evolved from dinosaurs, that was basically the entire idea behind this item.

I agree that it doesn't do much in terms of mechanics. I was considering a feather-fall type effect, or just giving a flight speed, but both of those seem like SIAK.
the main problem is there aren't really any other characteristic "bird powers" it could give. I suppose it could grant a talons attack, but almost any creature that can use this would already have a melee natural attack.

Quote:

Other than that, it doesn't have any cinematic value, or boom effect if you will. It simply gives two bonuses to skills, one of which is VERY circumstantial.

Indeed, it is quite circumstantial. It's not something I would expect many players to use, since most PC races aren't reptilian. I know an item like this wouldn't make it to the top 32, because I expect a lot of voters to pick items that they themselves could use as players, and an item only useable by reptiles isn't one of those.

I do get the evolution part, but feathered flight isn't inherently superior to other forms of flight as far as I know. To the best of my knowledge, they primarily formed as a superior insulator, so where I would maybe go with the item is grant something like Protection from Elements.

Why is feathered flight superior to webbed/leather flight (Am I missing something here?)? I mean, historically there WERE flying reptiles. So why give reptiles feathers when their species has a perfectly good way to fly. In fantasy they are even more common. Other than that, it doesn't have any cinematic value, or boom effect if you will. It simply gives two bonuses to skills, one of which is VERY circumstantial. Also you don't need to space every line. Your requirements lack Craft Wondrous Item. Follow the template. Overall the item just doesn't quite come together for me.

I'll definitely take you up on that offer Anthony. I don't trust myself not to derp out.

From initial thought to posting - 12 miinutes.

Have fun.

Roaring Hailer
Aura faint illusion and universal; CL 1st
Slot none; Price 500 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Description
A multitude of animal feathers and fur woven into a blaze of color forms the skin of this conical hailer.

Speaking through the hailer while hiding causes the voice to be emitted as loud roars or squawks of wild animals native to the area. Pointing the hailer at nearby bushes, undergrowth or overhanging branches within 3 feet determines the appropriate sounds to be emitted and causes that vegetation to twitch and sway with the impression that the animal being portrayed is moving close by.

Anyone approaching the hiding spot must make a will save DC 14 or be convinced that dangerous animals lurk nearby and turn away, vacating the area at their best speed and not returning until 5 minutes have passed.

Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, ghost sound, prestidigitation; Cost 250 gp

Gotta say, I've never seen a hailer item. What does approaching the hiding spot mean? You should have put a fixed number there. Like 30 feet. Also, vacating the area at top speed seems a bit too much like panicked to me (save for the dropping items), and you should never go straight for the panicked state, unless its something truly horrifying, and these are forest animals at the worst. And as Jacob noted, many can be immune to fear or used to dealing with the local fauna.

The description is a bit short, but does the item justice, I think.

I'll give it a read :) Probably this week.

I wouldn't mind. Just try not to overwhelm the thread, please :)

That's very cool GM_Solspiral.

Jacob Trier wrote:

Waistband of deadly embraces

*some passive voice (embedded vs. are embedded)

**the constrict damage is usually based on the original attack. 1d6 seems fine, but +6 indicates a strength of 20+, I would drop that to +2 or +3. It could also be dropped to +strength modifier, but I think a static number is better for pricing purposes/GM ease.
***entangled is a condition and the rules for casting do not need to be called out. Grappled has similar rules so it will be important to clarify if the target (and the wearer) are grappled. If not grappled does the constrict damage stay around?

I like the idea of grappling an opponent and being able to step a way, I have a vague memory of another Top 32 doing this.

Orcus Of Undeath wrote:

I'm taking the 30 min challenge.

The Syphoning Sphere

That sounds like we should get T-shirts :)

*If the gold middle is covered in adamantine mail, would we see it? I guess it matters if the maile is plate, chain, ring, etc...
**does an 8th level spell take longer to absorb two 4th level spells? or If I am buffed with a 9th and a 1st is it nine rounds or 10?
**force damage is unique as it rarely (ever?) allows a save. I might choose some other damage.
***does the target know the spell is being siphoned? can he simply move out of the range? I can see this being no good in combat as it would be too many rounds to fully activate (most common buffs being 3-4 level). Of course with its damage to everyone in the area, its is probably meant only as an ambush/surprise round toy, but then this is only likely to siphon those hours/level spells ie 1st or 2nd level.

Concept is good: Turn buffs into damage on a surprise round. Maybe too good, blinded/paralyzed/dazed might be better options.

I guess I should have said it was CHAIN mail :)

It says that ALL spells within the area are absorbed at the same rate when its activated. So all 4 level spells take 4 rounds. The level 8 spell takes 8 rounds. There are no targets per se, but a simple detect magic could uncover that the spell is being siphoned. The caster is a non factor here, only the area spell is. And yes, its meant mostly as a surprise item, but I added the blinding mechanic as a way to cope with that a bit. I thought about making it electricity damage instead of force and with that you can do deal stunned/paralyzed states all around.

On another note, plenty of Europeans? I'm from Serbia, myself.

Alright Orcus, your turn!

The Syphoning Sphere

First, I personally dislike seeing "The" or "A" or some variation as the first word in a name. It just feels off. The name would have been stronger just dropping the "The". Other than that...the name's got my attention.

I think you're CL should be higher. Greater Dispel Magic isn't gotten by a wizard until 11th level.

I like the description so far. Golden ball, surrounded by adamantine mail. Cool. I like the verb choices. When it starts spinning...does it spin inside the mail or does the mail spin as well...just curious on my part.

"blinded by bright light" instead of "blinded by the bright light" :) Drop that THE.

Interesting effect with the absorption of spells starting at the lowest level and going to the highest. Some cool imagery.

Overall, gripes with grammar and wonky writing aside, this is a very cool little globe. This little globe is actually very powerful...as it will make a fight with a BBEG who is a caster even easier as all their buffs are absorbed. The CL should probably be higher and the aura should likely be strong...but I see that CL 11th is still considered moderate. I'd still jack the price up to 80,000 so folks wouldn't stock up a bunch of these at higher levels. Also, what happens when a spell is cast while this is active...what happens when it meets an anti-magic zone...etc.

Yeah, I agree that it probably should have been more expensive. And it says any ACTIVE spells, meaning if another spell is cast that spell is going to start being absorbed that same round. Its a bit unclear, but since its under 30 min, I don't think I did too bad :)

As for the spinning, I imagine only the ball should be spinning and the mail should remain stationary. I reckon that would go towards better imagery?

BTW I've been wanting to ask you guys - Where are you guys from? It seems to me like most of you guys are from the US.

I was in such a rush I just copied the spell names straight out of a Pathfinder Spell list. Don't know how I put them out of whack like that.

EDIT: And it didn't help when I got a phone call in the middle of the 30 minutes.

I'm taking the 30 min challenge.

The Syphoning Sphere
Aura moderate abjuration; CL 9th
Slot none; Price 44,000 gp; Weight 5 lb.
Description

This golden sphere, encased in adamantine mail, glows dimly when picked up. Activating the sphere’s power causes it to glow radiantly and spin rapidly in a chaotic fashion.

The sphere is activated with a simple command word from the maximum distance of 120ft. Upon activation any creatures within 30ft radius are blinded by the bright light for 1d4 rounds if they do not pass a DC 18 Fortitude check.

During the first round of activation the sphere begins accumulating any and all area spells active within the area of 30ft around it. The sphere absorbs spells at the rate of one spell level per round from all spells active within the area. The spells remain active until the sphere is done syphoning them.

After all the spells have been absorbed the sphere will immediately unleash a blast of force energy emanating from itself, spreading over an area of 60ft. Any creatures caught in the area can make a Reflex save with a DC of 15 to take half damage. The total amount of damage of this attack is equal to xd8, where x the spell level of the highest level spell absorbed within the sphere.

Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, Greater Dispel Magic, Daylight, Wall of Force; Cost 22,000 gp

EDIT: Wow, that was much harder than expected. I really went all over the place with this one, but I hope its at least comprehensive.