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I had a though for a new magic item. It would be a foldable picture frame that you can pull out and use a command word to have it capture the image of whatever you see through it. Then, as long as you didn't replace the image, whenever you unfold it, it will display the same image. It will be Illlusion only, and not interactive in any way. If you pass through the frame when it is displaying the image, nothing happens.
I see this being used by spies to copy letters, PC's to remember what the villian looks like, or by nobles to have life-like pictures of far away, pleasent settings.
As to the name, all I could come up with were cheezy puns off of polaroid. So, I need some help with it, if you would.
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I think that the idea has merit. However, knowing your intended use is helpful, so is the actual game mechanics. I could see Taldor as the creator of this project, spending thousands of gold coins to make it work, and often it having a good chance that it wouldn't.
From that point of view, I'd name it the Taldan Doppelganger or something to that effect. Of course if you have a Golarion specific aspect in mind modify the name to reflect that.
Numerian Frame?
Why not simply call it by what it does?
"Instant Artist"
In fact I would (if I was a player) ask if you could modify it so that paper could be placed in the frame and a command word spoken to transfer that image onto the paper. What good is a camera that only takes one shot? I would want lots of photos.
PS: If I was a GM I would require scroll paper for the photos that way you have a good way to get the characters to spend a little money.
Sphen's Semblant Simulacrum
Memory Frame.
Eye from the past.
Scene Viewer.
Image Holder.
... That's all I got for now. Would like to see more of your itens though, they all seem nice.
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I appreciate all of the feedback.
As to the requests for more info, I haven't had time for working out the mechanics yet. I thought of this last night before I dozed off, and then went to work this morning. I will try to have some more up for you guys tomorrow.
As to Xum, I'll try to get some more up tomorrow as well.
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Magic Picture Frame
Aura: faint Illusion CL: 3rd Slot: none Weight: 4 pounds
Made of light, but strong, pale wood, this folding picture frame was reportedly first designed by a Wizard’s student missing his home. The teacher quickly took credit for the design and began to sell it to nobles showing pictures of faraway, exotic locations. They quickly proliferated to the criminal world as a means to copy important documents quickly and accurately. Taken up by both adventures and law officials, these frames have become rather common.
Activated by a command word, the picture frame captures a life like and completely detailed image of whatever the viewer sees through the frame. The image will appear whenever the frame is unfolded, and will remain until the command word is spoken and the image is replaced. An image of a person or object can even be rotated to be viewed from different angles.
In addition, an image can be transposed onto a scroll paper that has been placed into the frame. These papers must be of higher quality than normal parchment. These pictures however, are not as detailed the image captured in the frame and cannot be interacted with.
CONSTRUSTION: Craft Wondrous Item, silent image; Cost: 1,800 gp.
I figure it would be a good low to mid level item for a PC. And while I love Keltoi's idea for a name, I'd prefer to keep my name out of it. I'm afraid it has become somewhat of a joke around my gaming group. I know it is a little strange, to me at least, to use a first level caster for this, but I wanted to make it available to adventure's fairly early.
Any other questions?
Great stuff mate, looking forward to other itens. :)
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Dorian Mirror, or Dorian Window?
(ref: The Picture of Dorian Grey. I like literary/mythic references)
Perhaps the Teachers name was Dorian, so he named it after himself? And Window/Mirror because you're seeing the real thing (or at least an illusion of one), not an artist representation?
_______'s Frame of Many Pictures, or just Frame of Many Pictures? Rather generic, but sometimes that is how I roll.
I would consider some things as far as this item goes. It is taking a magical picture of what ever you see through the frame and copies it exactly. What affect would it have if placed over a document to be used as a forgery? You could it "copy and paste" valued paintings or important kingdom documents with 100% accuracy? How do you tell the difference between the fake and the real? Perception check or sv. illusion? Also does the magic fade or do the copied images last forever? If the effect gained is an illusion, could another illusion spell be cast on the "photo" to edit it like photo-shop? What happens if a wizard uses it to take a photo of his spell book? Could an illusion photo be used to scry? I don't want to over complicate things, it is a great item but these are questions that might get brought up in game. Answers before hand keep the game from slowing down later. Personally I would allow these items in my game but I would have different versions of them for different illusion spells used to make them and caster levels required for those spells. Also I would make them contraband in cities, the possibility for misuse is quite high for an item like this.
Possible names:
I liked the ones above "Memory Frame" or "Instant Artist" I would also consider something used on the street along the black market a slang name like "Forger's Friend" or "Paper Maker".
Awesome questions brother.
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Cranston, you are right. I would give it a caster level check to copy any sort of magicked paper, such as a Wizard's spellbook. (Though a part of me just wants to ban magicked papers entirely.).
As for saves, I would have to have a small imperfection in the copy to allow a check. I would use Linguistics to notice the forgery, but make the DC rather high.
It cannot be photoshoped or used for scrying. Any attempt to alter the picture with magical means destroys it.
I will adjust the description of the item when I get home tonight and repost it.
Again guys, thanks for the input.
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It got a little wordy, but here is the revised edition.
Aura: faint Illusion CL: 3rd Slot: none Weight: 4 pounds
Made of light, but strong, pale wood, this folding picture frame was reportedly first designed by a Wizard’s student missing his home. The teacher quickly took credit for the design and began to sell it to nobles showing pictures of faraway, exotic locations. They quickly proliferated to the criminal world as a means to copy important documents quickly and accurately. Taken up by both adventures and law officials, these frames have become rather common.
Activated by a command word, the picture frame captures a life like and detailed image of whatever the viewer sees through the frame. The image will appear whenever the frame is unfolded, and will remain until the command word is spoken and the image is replaced. The image cannot be altered, and any attempts to do so through means magical or mundane destroys the picture. The frame uses a caster level check to copy magical documents, such as scrolls or spellbooks, or to make copies of views protected by magical means.
In addition, an image can be transposed onto a scroll paper that has been placed into the frame. These papers must be of higher quality than normal parchment. These pictures are nearly perfect copies and it takes a DC 30 Perception or Linguistics check to discern any discrepancy.
CONSTRUCTION: Craft Wondrous Item, silent image; Cost: 1,800 gp.