I know that its not a combat item but I like the ring of sustenance. I'd like a version that would be your best friend if you were lost in the underdark.
Here's my thoughts. Each of these are toned down to be barely enough for survival not power.
1. 10' Dark vision - Doesn't add to existing darkvision. If you already have Dark vision no affect otherwise you can see 10' ahead.
2. Minor Flame 3x a day. I imagine something like a cantrip 1-3dam? and the ability to make a fire if you have none.
3. Know Direction 3x a day.
I'd like to add 'Message' but I think that would be too much.
The ring of Sustenance is 2.5K so I'm imagining this is 3 to 5k. Does that sound reasonable?
Sigurd
Well I think the darkvision effect is probably worth more than 5k just by itself.
Goggles of darkvision 60ft is 12k. I know yours would only be 10ft, but thats pretty significant actually. For a melee attacker that would pretty much negate all miss chances due to poor lightning, whether its 10ft or 60ft; that alone is probably worth about 8k (rough estimate). And you're putting it on a ring instead of eye-wear, so that should probably be worth a little more.
The Know Direction ability looks like it would be worth a little over 500. Maybe 750 since its being added to an existing magic item. But thats pretty minor so not a big concern.
For the Flame ability, I'd suggest basing it off of Burning Hands. Say perhaps "Up to three times each day, the wearer can ignite flammable materials (such as a torch) with a touch." Burning Hands can do this, but since this useage doesn't allow for actual damage to be dealt it would be significantly less powerful. Probably equivalent to a cantrip. So about the same as the cost of the Know Direction ability.
So I'd think adding these two minor abilities might make a ring of sustenance worth about 3.5k to 4k. But adding the darkvision effect should probably cost a significant bit more. You could instead simply give it the ability to give off light (as the light spell) at will for probably about another 250-500gp to the cost. I'd think giving a ring of sustenance the know direction 3/day, the ignite flammable mateerial 3/day, and giving off light on command would probably be worth about 4k all in all.
I see your logic but I don't want to give up the dark vision. Something about walking around lit up like a target wouldn't sit well with me.
What would you think if I made the dark vision 5' and made the ring total 8k. Its only fake money after all and I'd rather invent money sources than brake the market structure.
Perhaps leave it at 10' but include a limitation that it doesn't reduce combat penalties for poor lighting? Don't forget this doesn't stack with anything and really doesn't allow you to see your enemies even 20' away. If you fought in the dark you'd be open to every ranged backstab attack from the darkness.
I'm thinking something like Bilbo grubbing through the tunnels when he left golum.
S
Perhaps leave it at 10' but include a limitation that it doesn't reduce combat penalties for poor lighting? Don't forget this doesn't stack with anything and really doesn't allow you to see your enemies even 20' away. If you fought in the dark you'd be open to every ranged backstab attack from the darkness.
How about this?
You can move unhindered. If you encounter something interested out of combat, you can see it (even in total darkness) (eventually). However, in combat, you need to spend two rounds doing nothing before you can get a single attack without concealment.
It will allow you to locate your foes if you are willing to take the 50% miss chance, which is still a valuable bonus. It probably also negates sneak attack from a rogue who is relying purely on your inability to see in darkness.
I disagree that darkvision at 10 feet should be super expensive. Remember, half the base classes have it as a racial advantage, and at much better ranges.
I'd say 5 feet clearly, and an additional 5 feet of 'fuzzy' vision (20% concealment, like the target is blurred) would be ok. Tacking on the 'know direction' is no big deal either, as stated earlier. What I'd do for the produce flame is make it strictly a touch attack that deals 1 hp of fire damage. That's enough to start a fire on flammable material (like your pile of wood and shavings), but not enough to make it a real combat option.
I'd say 5,000gp for that item would be reasonable.
I like those.
Udalrich, I think you have the better thought out condition but the phrasing is a little awkward. Between you and MDT I think we have a winner. I think I'll go with that.
Stumblers Darkvision - This ring grants the most basic of darkvision. A wearer may see 5' clearly and a further 5' with difficulty. Anything beyond 10' is completely hidden from view.
Under this condition the wearer is denied their dex bonus against any foe beyond 5'. Furthermore, foes between 5' and 10' feet away benefit from a 50% miss chance as if blurred. Foes, foe movement and details beyond 10' are completely concealed by darkness.
There are so many ways someone in this condition could be killed or end up killing themselves. I just don't think its a desirable situation in any case. As MDT says enough races have enhanced vision that this is almost a human only ring.
5000gld it is.