Researching the Blot: You may or may not be seeking membership into Riddleport's most prestigious magical guild, the Order of Cyphers, but you have certainly heard their call for aid in determining the nature of the strange shadow in the sky above Riddleport. You arrived in town several days ago and had some issues with security and safety at several inns before you finally settled on the Gold Goblin; you've been staying there as a guest for several days now, and the owner, Saul Vancaskerkin, seems like a nice guy. He's given you a pass to attend the gambling tournament he's about to throw - you're not sure how into gambling you'll be, but perhaps there'll be some visitors from out of town you can talk to about the strange shadow in the sky. At the very least, you're hoping someone at the tourney will be into magic - there's not really enough folk in this town who seem all that interested in magic, you've found. Your interest in magic dates back quite far, and as a result, you've developed a knack for identifying common magical items at a glance. You can use Spellcraft to identify magic items. The DC is equal to 20 + the item's caster level.
What is the meaning of "common magical items"? Are all objects except relics and artifacts? Or only cheap magic items? If so, what is the limit to be considered common?
The meaning doesn't actually matter. The relevant rule/mechanic is: "You can use Spellcraft to identify magic items. The DC is equal to 20 + the item's caster level." If you can make a Spellcraft check and hit the DC, the item is "common" by your knowledge. As such, "common" items will change as you get more proficient with Spellcraft.
This trait basically expands what you can do with the Spellcraft skill. Note that if you are using Pathfinder RPG, the Appraise skill (in conjunction with detect magic) now covers what this trait allows, and is actually easier to use (DC 15 + the item’s caster level). As such, I'd redo this trait in Pathfinder to allow use of Appraise for identifying magic items without requiring detect magic.
One of my friends thinks that the trait only allows identify magic items of less than 2000 po, which in my opinion is very useless. So I want to know what kind of magic items can be identified with this trait. My opinion is that all but artifacts, relics and objects that are not common in the culture of character (typical drows objects, for example)
For him, “common” means “cheap”- something that anyone can have.
We play with 3.5
The meaning doesn't actually matter. The relevant rule/mechanic is: "You can use Spellcraft to identify magic items. The DC is equal to 20 + the item's caster level." If you can make a Spellcraft check and hit the DC, the item is "common" by your knowledge. As such, "common" items will change as you get more proficient with Spellcraft.
This trait basically expands what you can do with the Spellcraft skill
I agree, is what I thought (except for relics, artifacts and objects that are not common in the culture of character) Does anyone else think so?
That limitation definitely isn't supported by the rules as stated in the trait. As there is also no definition of "common" magic items in the 3.5 rules, I don't see any support for the limitation. The closest I know of would be the Minor label for Wondrous Items, and that goes up to 7,400 gp. As this trait simply expands the table of uses found in the Spellcraft entry, I would treat it as very similar to the "Identify materials created or shaped by magic" use of Spellcraft, meaning it requires no action and allows no retry. Otherwise one could Take 20 on the Spellcraft check.
I would treat it as very similar to the "Identify materials created or shaped by magic" use of Spellcraft, meaning it requires no action and allows no retry. Otherwise one could Take 20 on the Spellcraft check.
Yes, I assume this. Retry or take 20 isn't logical
Thanks for your answers!
One of my friends thinks that the trait only allows identify magic items of less than 2000 po, which in my opinion is very useless. So I want to know what kind of magic items can be identified with this trait. My opinion is that all but artifacts, relics and objects that are not common in the culture of character (typical drows objects, for example)
For him, “common” means “cheap”- something that anyone can have.
We play with 3.5
And where did he get the 2000 gil from?
Anyway, common means "common enough for you to make your check". Common is relative.
From anywhere. He says that is what is fair- beyond 2000 are no longer common objects. Which would otherwise be too good, and that this will save us lots of money (of course, a sword +1 costs 2300+...)