What's Your Top 5 Favorite Wondrous Item Submissions?

[Neil Spicer]

Just curious. Every year, there's usually a lot of folks who indicate a favorite wondrous item among the submissions. Or, they may proclaim a grouping of favorites. I can tell you from prior experience, it's always a lift when you see a lot of folks indicating which items would make their Top 5 and yours makes their list. So, despite the fact that there's no voting in Round 1 by the general public, if you did have votes to spend, which items would make your Top 5? And why?

[Thomas LeBlanc]

1. Feywhisper Crown - I am adding this to my campaign since it fits with what is happening in my story and the flavor matches as well.

2. Cayden's Cup - Perfect for my favorite character.

3. Haunting Glass - I really enjoy haunts and want to see more done with them and this item expands the niche.

4. Cloak of the Swashbuckler - Fits the swashbuckler theme well and would find usage in most games I run.

5. Rajah' Silhouette - Reminds me of alot of old classic cartoons and has a fun 'edge' to it.

[yarb]

1. Gloves, Charlatan - will most definitely turn up in my SS game. Real strong item with great visual and mechanics. Seems classic even though there has been nothing like it before.

2. Bottled Time - maybe doesn't count sense he bowed out but I really like it.

3.Haunting Glass - just cool. need more haunt love!

4.Cayden's Cup - I want this for my PFS rouge so bad!

5. Metamorphosis Saddle - just weird and nitchy, but tasty.

[Luthia]

In no order of preference:

Feywhisper Crown - I like the flavor, what it does, it seems wellwritten and honestly I feel good about this item being chosen rather than mine, which seems as good a criteria as any, and finally First World things have had my liking and attention for a while.

Rajah's Silhouette - While I'm not a fan of the name, it isn't bad and, honestly the item struck me as one of this years most innovative and creative ideas - while I don't expect to let my players use it too much, as they will surely abuse it into no end.

Haunting Glass - I like the idea, and the execution seems both wellthought and wellwritten, two things I like a lot. I don't suspect I'll ever see players urging to use this, but it nonetheless strikes me as good and creative design, which I might just use myself.

Basilisk's Eye Sight - I like this item, despite wanting to hate it. I can't put a finger on what it is, but something about it has me liking it. I like that someone dared the gunslinger themed item, and managed it in a creative way. I like that it gives guns a not so damage oriented use. I don't like, that the creator chose to add immunity to gaze attacks, but not everything can be completely how I want it.

and finally, though this one may be the least sure of them:

Spellblight Cage - While I see issues with this, I also liked, and almost did something with the Spellblight mechanics myself. I approve that someone took that step, even if daring. And, despite myself, it actually seems like something that my players and I might use. That said, it's probably my least favourite of my personal top 5.

All of these strike me as well done in writing and mechanics, and more importantly perhaps, as people who have the scope, imagination and care for detail to go on.

[RonarsCorruption]

Well, elixir of resurgent flame makes the top of my list, no doubt.

I also really liked the spellbreaker gauntlets and cayden's cup.

Below that, I'd have to put dustings of darkness, and chimaeric mantle

But really, lots of good ones to choose from this year.

[Red-Assassin]

When I look at these items I ask myself which items, I as a player must have. Then I figure out why, thinking if it is too powerfull.

Vexing Spirit Lamp 1-5

This is such an awesome little lamp. I have the highest regard for this item, every mechanic works and builds upon the other.

Every single Ki user of mine would purchase one of these. Why? Cost wise it is great. Mechanics wise it is a nice easy light source, with an idea to project itself. Then the kicker of a low will save forcing AOO's, this is simply brilliant. The roleplaying abilites are endless.

This item I think is perfect as it was submitted and should go into print.

[Ragin' Sage]

For myself, I really liked the Charlatan Gloves. I think they did some neat things and were very thematic. Being able to tactically move small items around the battlefield is great. It's the kind of item my characters would like to have.

I also really enjoyed the Spellbreaker Gauntlets. If an item can successfully capture my imagination it will stand out, and this one did that. I can see a mgae deflecting a fireball around at the tip of his outstretched staff very clearly and that is great. In addition, the mechanics do something that I find unique.

I'm also a big fan of the Clockwork Conscience (yes, it's a bad name). The mechanics are fun, and I can see it getting a significant amount of us in a game. As Clark likes to say, it's go "mojo." It is a tad expensive for what it does though.

And finally the Cloak of the Swashbuckler and Rajah's Silhouette are pretty cool. I like playing with maneuvers, any thing to boost thier chances of success is a win in my book. The Silhouette is just cool and very thematic.

[Salama]

At the moment Vexing Spirit Lamp, Clockwork Conscience, Charlatan Gloves, Dustings of Darkness and Basilisk's Eye Sight. Going to delve deeper though, so this list may change.

[frictionmachine]

1. Gloves, Charlatan- What a cool item!! Seems like something that should have already existed.

2. Haunting Glass- Super cool. Will be using when I run CC.

3. Cayden's Cup- Really cool low-level item. I dig it.

4. Spellbreaker Gauntlets- Neat idea. Hadn't considered this type of item before.

5. Boots of the Phantom Staircase. Super cool. I dig this new possibility for characters who will never be able to fly, etc.

**Bottled Time is one of my fave's as well, but didn't put it on the list since it's no longer in the running.

[Neil Spicer]

A couple of the things I'd like to note about this kind of thread is the dual purpose it serves...

1) You guys are giving positive feedback to those whose work you enjoyed. That helps them get a sense of where they stand in the collective Top 32 already...i.e., before you've even seen their Round 2 submissions and cast a vote for them. It also boosts their confidence and spurs them on to create something else that will appeal to the masses. In light of which...

2) The savvy competitor (and even those who missed the cut and now watch the contest from the outside) will note which items consistently made everyone's Top 5. They'd also be remiss if they didn't then assess why that particular design resonated with everyone (and not just the judges). Then, if you can find ways to tap that interest again, it helps you learn what the market enjoys so you can tailor your designs accordingly and give them what they want. At the same time, you're helping yourself be more successful, whether in the contest or when working on an actual product down the road.

In short, the education of the competitors and those following along at home begins...NOW!

--Neil

[Thomas LeBlanc]

Neil Spicer wrote:

2) The savvy competitor (and even those who missed the cut and now watch the contest from the outside) will note which items consistently made everyone's Top 5.

Feywhisper Crown + Cayden's Cup + Haunting Glass = BEER HAT WITH SPARKLES!

tucks away idea for next year

Neil Spicer wrote:

In short, the education of the competitors and those following along at home begins...NOW!

--Neil

Thank you for proving that my 12 years of primary education was for naught! I always knew I wasted all that time in school for no reason.

[Scott Fernandez]

Quite of few items that bottled lighting this year! But as to my favorites of the bunch:

1. Rajah's Silhoutte
2. Spellbreaker Gauntlets
3. Sunrise Shawl
4. Cayden's Cup
5. Tie between Claws of the Crawling Spell and the Chimaeric Mantle

--Vrock the Vote

[John Bennett]

1. Feywhisper Crown- an item with great writing and execution.

2. Sticky Pugfoot- love the name and the general oddness of this item.

3. Clockwork Conscience- enjoyed the simplicity of this item with the flavorful description.

4. Ghostvision Gloves- another well written item with solid mechanics.

5. Sunrise Shawl- thought this a useful item with some nicely done mechanics.

I am looking forward to reading everyone's organization. Four hundred words isn't a lot, especially when you have to divvy it up in the different sections. Maximizing words for impact is going to be critical. Keep the theme of your organization tight and watch that passive voice.

[Alexander Bennett]

Not in any particular order (and not including my own):
Feywhisper Crown - cause it just sounds cool
Cloak of the Swashbuckler - Only shield my rogue would ever use.
Metamorphosis Saddle - I've never been in a game where we could bring a horse 99% of the places we go. I don't even buy a horse until the first session starts. And yet I'd really like to play a cavalier.
Shadow Box - my very own flanking partner, yay!
Basilisk's Eye Sight - makes me think of Final Fantasy Tactics.
-Xander

[Dragon78]

1)Feywhisper crown
2)flask of liquid light
3)Raja's silhouette
4)Boots of the phantom staircase
5)Clockwork conscience

[R D Ramsey]

I tend to go for the ones that are rule-bendy and that would put me as a player using them in a position to think creatively.

1. Rajah's Silhouette. Creates endless possibilities for use. Tons of fun in this one.

2. Sticky Pugfoot. As a player, I'd always be aware of this item and looking for opportunities to use it to advantage. It would never be out of mind.

3. Flask Of Liquid Sunlight. The recharge mechanism is what tips this one over for me. And that in campaigns where it would be the most useful, you'd have to be the most creative about charging it, and cautious in its use.

4. Clockwork Conscience. Dislike the name, love the situations it allows.

5. Haunting Glass. Another item that allows for some unique play situations.

Honorable Mention- Night Monarch Vardo. Points for the caravan rules and for interaction with other wondrous items.

[Chris Shaeffer]

In order, and not including my own (which I don't think would have made my top 5 anyway, these others are so great).

1)Charlatan Gloves
These are great. What they do is so simple, yet the applications are pretty much limitless. It encourages teamwork.

2)Spellbreaker Gauntlets
I like this purely because the mental imagery I've attached to it is, for lack of a real word, GWAR. "What's that? You castin' spells at me? YOU. CASTIN' SPELLS. AT ME?" *Punches spell*
This also encourages teamwork.

3)Vexing Spirit Lamp
I think that with a little tweaking, this could be an excellent item. All the basics are there. I just think that mainly it needs to drop its ki dependency and raise it's will save DC.

4)Rajah's Silhouette
How fun! It's a really versatile item. Maybe a bit too versatile. James did a great job of covering a wide range of possibilities with his rules-fu, but I think that the item could cause some arguments at the table. (Probably fun arguments.)

5)Sticky Pugfoot
Poor little pugwampi! I don't know what it is, but this thing is just so fun to me, I can't ignore it. The first line absolutely hooked me, and the item leads to the kind of shenanigans that makes gaming fun. Andrew also did a great job of explaining and expanding on the item once he got into the top 32.

[Anthony Adam]

I'll post mine later as I want to give each item a good 20-30 minutes thinking time, which means I get about 8 reviewed a day due to work committments.

I've done my first 8 and I think the scores ended up being around 37 for the lowest and 41 for the highest (out of 50), so these items so far are really really close in overall judgement for me.

[SquishyPoetFromBeyondTheStars]

In no particular order

1) Flask of Liquid Sunlight
I love this item from the descriptive text to the recharge mechanic to the list of possible uses. a solid item with good design and I can't what to see what the designer has next.

2) Silhouette of the Phantasmagoria
It's my own personal Bat-signal that I can use to strike fear in the heart of my enemies! I simply love this item enough to use an explanation mark and I don't like using explanation marks because I find them hostile. But this item got me legitimately excited enough to exclaim (in a positive way).

3) Scent of the Savored Sting
pepper spray, seduction, and hornet hand grenades? Sign me up for 10. I do think it's a more than a little over priced but that is an easy enough fix.

4) Shadow Box
I'm a sucker for "shadow" anything and this item is great because it plays with both flanking and teamwork feats. and you what? it might just convince a few people in the party to invest in some teamwork feats and that encourages party cooperation and planing and I think those are both very good things.

5) Vexing Spirit Lamp
I don't mind the Ki mechanic because I think it's a little underutilized in the item department. This item has great imagery in it's text, a host of possible uses, and it's clever. Its' only weakness is it's low DC. but my ninja character is going to buy one anyways.

Honorable mention
Cayden's cup, Charlatan's Gloves, Night Monarch Vardo

[Pedro Coelho]

If it is not a problem, I´ll go a little further and talk about more than 5 items.
First, I’m not including the elixir of resurgent flame in the analysis because I’m not really familiar with the words of power rules. On we go.

Top 5:

1. Vexing spirit lamp: I loved the idea of forcing enemies to spend their AoOs before moving through threatened squares, and it’s a “generous” item to the party in the sense that it also clears the area for your team members. I actually like the ki pool tie in, and I don’t mind it being too restrictive because in the end this is an item that benefits the whole party during combat, and at least in my tables monks are pretty common. Plus, I also like the visuals.

2. Clockwork conscience: this one has me for its simplicity. I would like it to be less expensive, though, but that could easily be adjusted. It is a clever item that focuses on an annoying game situation (losing actions and attacking friends), effectively giving you a second chance without letting you re-roll your save (which is the usual way in Pathfinder). The name doesn’t bother me.

3. Sunrise shawl: at first glance this seems to make things too easy, but then, I thought of how many times my characters had to wake at night without full rest and fight or flee or spy or travel or whatever. It is a very useful item that lets players go with the flow without having to stop and break the pace of an adventure just because the rules say so. The mechanics are tight and the cost is fair for the benefit it provides. I think the +4 morale bonus is an unnecessary add-on.

4.Rajah’s silhouette: I don’t know. I’m not sure I can explain this one, but I really like it. I want it. Hiding inside a bottle by folding yourself? That’s cool. The effect is fun and the mechanics seem right.

5.Sticky pugfoot: this item kind of grow on you. It seems a fun item, and the “Tag!” mechanics work well. I believe there’s room for some humor in the game, and I like that this strikes the right note; it's not a joke, because it can actually get someone killed, but it can make for amusing moments. It’s difficult to create this kind of items.

6-10:

In order: Basilisk’s eye sight, boots of the phantom staircase, spellbreaker gauntlets, dusting of darkness, feywhisper crown. These to me are good items with minor issues.

11-18:

In no particular order, these are mostly “ok” or simply utilitarian, and don’t have that “wow” factor to me: cloak of energy reversal, cloak of the swashbuckler, ghostvision gloves, flask of liquid sunlight, metamorphosis saddle, haunting glass, moonlight flute of the ghost hunter, gloves, charlatan.

19-26:

Again in no particular order, these strike me as a little boring, too complicated or not that innovative: figurine of familiar power , spellblight cage, claw of the crawling spell, night monarch vardo, shadow box (this one concerns me regarding game balance), scent of the savored sting, silhouette of the phantasmagoria, chimaeric mantle.

Bottom 5:

27. Sunblossom: much like the scent of the savored sting, this is too much of a SAK for my taste, but for some reaon I like it less... don’t know why. Too many bonuses and conditions.

28. Raptoring gloves: summon birds in a can. Don’t like the flavor, don’t like the abilities, don’t like the way powers level up with lesser, standard and greater gloves. The author starts with the summoning stuff and then adds the flying effects, and although it is all within the bird theme it looks a little munchkin. Maybe for players who really enjoy summoning creatures and controlling them in the battle field, but not for me.

29. Binder of unbound forms: this is a bookkeeping nightmare. I think the text is nice and there’s some flavor in the mechanics, but to me it just seems a bad idea to let a player rebuild his eidolon all the time.

30. Gloves of reconnaissance: it´s useful, alright. But so easily knowing what´s behind the door and inside the chest sucks fun out of the game (and it's a pain to GMs).

31. Cayden’s cup: I know I’m going against the crowd here, but this is the only item I genuinely dislike. I don’t care about recovering spoiled beverage, that can be done at will with purify food and and drink (to “unspoil” it) and prestidigitation (to make it taste good). Then, when we get to the mechanics, it´s a light mace that gives a +1 morale bonus? Really? Economy of action from filling it with a potion doesn’t redeem it; even if it did, it would still be a mace that can hold liquids. I don’t mean to offend, but this one falls short for me, and I don’t get what the fuss is all about. Since in general this item has had good reviews, I’ll assume it and I just didn’t hit it off.

Anyway, there’s my personal rank. It usually helps me break ties in my 2nd round votes, but someone ranked low in my perception can still get my vote by writing a kick-ass organization (and I hope all of them do!).

Good luck to all participants, this is a golden opportunity and I hope you make the best of it.

[Paul Brown]

1. Spellbreaker Gauntlets
2. Cloak of the Swashbuckler
3. Ghostvision Gloves
4. Claw of the Crawling Spell
5. Charlatan Gloves

Honorable Mention: Sticky Pugfoot

I feel I should mention that I'm glad that both Haunting Glass and Spellblight Cage made it, because my item was very, very similar (with gaze attacks rather than haunts or spellblights, respectively). I wish them both the best and congratulate them for doing what I did but better.

[Kyr]

Night Monarch Vardo
Basilisk’s Eye Sight
Spellbreaker Gauntlets
Raptoring Gloves
Shadow Box

[Jacob W. Michaels]

Isaac, I see what you mean about our items being very similar. Kind of eerily so. I wonder if yours was the item Clark referred to in his comments on the haunting glass.

[Paul Brown]

Jacob W. Michaels wrote:

Isaac, I see what you mean about our items being very similar. Kind of eerily so. I wonder if yours was the item Clark referred to in his comments on the haunting glass.

I hope so. I'd be glad to lose out to a similar item, because it means the core idea was solid. Plus, I had a chance last year, which is more than most people get. There's always next year for another shot.

[Andrew Marlowe]

Pedro Coelho wrote:

31. Cayden’s cup: I know I’m going against the crowd here, but this is the only item I genuinely dislike. I don’t care about recovering spoiled beverage, that can be done at will with purify food and and drink (to “unspoil” it) and prestidigitation (to make it taste good). Then, when we get to the mechanics, it´s a light mace that gives a +1 morale bonus? Really? Economy of action from filling it with a potion doesn’t redeem it; even if it did, it would still be a mace that can hold liquids. I don’t mean to offend, but this one falls short for me, and I don’t get what the fuss is all about. Since in general this item has had good reviews, I’ll assume it and I just didn’t hit it off.

No offense taken. To be fair I didn't expect Cayden's Cup to be universally liked anymore than I expect any single item in the top 32 to hit *that* special note with every single gamer. We're all different life would be boring if we weren't. So it's cool, you may not have hit it off with Cayden's Cup but don't count me out yet you might just like my round 2.

[Jeff Lee]

My top five: Sticky Pugfoot, Spellbreaker Gauntlets, Haunting Glass, Rajah's Silhouette, and Charlatan's Gloves.

[Mikko Kallio]

My top five, in no particular order: Clockwork Conscience, Rajah's Silhouette, Feywhisper Crown, Spellbreaker Gauntlets and Moonlight Flute of the Ghost Hunter.

[Eric Morton]

Isaac Duplechain wrote:

I'd be glad to lose out to a similar item, because it means the core idea was solid.

That was my exact experience in 2010. I didn't make it, but an item very similar to (though better designed than) my own made the Top 32. So at least I knew I'd had a Superstar idea that year.

[Will Cooper]

@ John Bennett, Isaac Duplechain: it's great to make your top five lists. Thanks!

There were just too many great items for me to hazard a top five for myself; but it is fascinating seeing people's thoughts. A little taste of the voting rounds to come, I think.

[Anthony Adam]

I've now reviewed the first third, so far it's shaping up thus...

Vexing Spirit Lamp 88%

Ghostvision Gloves 87%

Metamorphosis Saddle 84%

Cloak of the Swashbuckler 82%
Flask of Liquid Sunlight 82%

Cloak of Energy Reversal 79%

Dustings of Darkness 78%
Spellblight Cage 78%
Sunblossom 78%

Claw of the Crawling Spell 76%
Figurine of Familiar Power 76%

Gloves of Reconnaissance 75%

As you can see, there's not a lot separating them, which means the organisations will be very decisive this year.

[Sam Harris]

In no particular order, the five that really jumped out at me were:

Charlatan Gloves: Nice theme, promotes teamwork and tactics.

Claw of the Crawling Spell: Nice boon for casters with a great Lovecraftian feel.

Clockwork Conscience: Helps out with a genuine in-game frustration and does so with flair (and I loved the name!)

Spellbreaker Gauntlets: I just love the image of someone holding his or her hand up and parting some fiery eldritch blast like Moses parting the Red Sea.

Sticky Pugfoot: Weird and wonderful.

[Andrew Newton]

I'll confess I'm continually drawn back to this list and get a warm feeling every time the little pugfoot gets nominated. Thanks guys!

[Jacob W. Michaels]

Just woke up and am looking around before getting back to my organization, but I did just want to say thank you for everyone who's listed the haunting glass. I'm thrilled you enjoy it and hope I can catch your interest in Round 2 as well.

[Steve Miller]

I was pleased to see that Night Monarch Vardo made Honorable Mention. I was ecstatic when it made a top 5. Thanks!

[Pedro Coelho]

Andrew Marlowe wrote:

So it's cool, you may not have hit it off with Cayden's Cup but don't count me out yet you might just like my round 2.

Hi Andrew, I promise to give it a fair shot. Like I said, to me this rank is mostly a way of breaking ties when casting those last two votes, when I'm not too sure of which 2nd round entry I like better. Anyway, you still got a lot of support here in the boards, because Cayden's cup resonates well with a lot of gamers, and when I say that I hope you do make a kick-ass organization, I really mean it; heck, I hope all of them are great. I'm looking forward to seeing what you and the other guys come up with.

[Garrett Guillotte]

Top 5
1. Rajah's Silhouette
Useful, evocative, exceptionally well thought out, enables emergent gameplay, desirable for PCs, interesting for GMs. I'm surprised it doesn't already exist, and it makes me want to write a scenario revolving around it.

2. Feywhisper Crown
My vote for best-written item in the Top 32, creatively implemented with tons of possibilities in play. Rajah's Silhouette is my favorite item of the round, but I think the Crown is the better Superstar entry--I read this and immediately started anticipating his organization.

3. Sticky Pugfoot
I can't stop laughing at this damn thing's description and potential implications in RP, mechanics, and general game-table slapstick. It's probably not appropriate for every campaign, but if I have anything to say about it I'll wedge it unexpectedly into every PF game I run.

4. Basilisk's Eye Sight
Very well written, great concept, and I could immediately see the utility even though I don't know much about Gunslingers as a class. (An aside: The extremely heavy pun in the name doesn't knock points off for me, but I audibly groaned.)

5. Spellbreaker Gauntlets
Another item that I'm surprised isn't already part of Pathfinder. It feels natural for a tank character without screaming it with stat boosts.

Honorable Mentions: Concept

Spoiler:

Spellblight Cage
I love the idea of capturing, storing and reversing a negative effect--a defensive item with offensive utility, like a magical shield spike. If I understood spellblight better, I'd be less on the fence about it, but the core concept hits a sweet spot for me.

Claw of the Crawling Spell
Great job finding a way to give players emergent ways of applying existing game mechanics. GMs would lose sleep over it being in their campaign, but on the other hand I can think of building traps that would require (or reward) use of this item, which makes the player happy to have it while also burning off some of its power in combat.

Elixir of Resurgent Flame
Like the Spellblight Cage, this one's interesting even though I don't completely understand the mechanics. Combining disparate effects to build new utility always piques my interest.

Chimaeric Mantle
Loved the mechanical implementation of a chimeric concept without going cliche and, say, shapeshifting the user.

Honorable Mentions: I Want This (PC)

Spoiler:

Metamorphosis Saddle
A lot of comments cornered this one as "Put your horse in your backpack." I read it and immediately thought, "Pocket monster!" That's as much a pro as a con for most games, but almost always fun from a PC perspective.

Gloves, Charlatan
Hilarious idea for players with lots of creative upside in PC use. Ban-worthy idea for GMs as written.

Binder of Unbound Forms
With my GM hat on I just see potential abuse, but as a PC it feels like a nice way to be more flexible without being reactive.

Honorable Mentions: I Want This (GM)

Spoiler:

Haunting Glass
My vote for the closest thing in the Top 32 to an actual monster in a can, but it does so damn well at being evocative and fitting in with a high-magic setting. It hits all the imagery of a fairy tale without ripping one off (as far as I know, at least).

Shadow Box
It seems overpowered as written but is a gleefully fun high-fantasy idea for melee. It'd be an invaluable boon in solo and small-party games, which don't often get the best love from magic items, and it gives PCs a practical edge without ruining encounters for GMs (except for the 10-rounds part).

Clockwork Conscience
This is the sort of item I'd love to give to players. Literally; it's the sort of thing I'd prop and hand to the owner to remind both of us it's in play.

[Tom Phillips]

Aww, shucks. Thanks for the kind words everyone!

[Eric Hindley]

In no particular order, these were the ones I keep coming back to:

Feywhisper Crown
Rajah's Silhouette
Spellbreaker Gauntlets
Cloak of the Swashbuckler
Silhouette of the Phantasmagoria

[BigBad]

1) Rajah's Silhouette. Hands down my favourite this year, and definitely one I'll be including in my games. This weekend, in fact :)

2) Charlatan Gloves. Just has a classic D&D feel to it, and opens up lots of creative thinking at the table.

3) Boots of the Phantom Staircase. I'm not so keen on the horizontal movement, but these would see lots of use at my table if modified to remove that.

4) Vexing Spirit Lamp. Drawing attacks of opportunity is neat, and it has a nice flavour.

5) Feywhisper Crown. For the memory loss.

[Cassey]

My top 5 is made up of things I'd either want for my characters or I think will add a lot of fun to the table.

1) Dustings of Darkness
2) Spellbreaker Gauntlets
3) Ghostvision Gloves
4) Night Monarch Vardo
5) Sticky Pugfoot

:)

[Mike Welham]

Kyr wrote:

Night Monarch Vardo

Basilisk’s Eye Sight
Spellbreaker Gauntlets
Raptoring Gloves
Shadow Box

You are one of a kind, Kyr! Thanks!

[Mike Welham]

Pedro Coelho wrote:

Andrew Marlowe wrote:

So it's cool, you may not have hit it off with Cayden's Cup but don't count me out yet you might just like my round 2.

Hi Andrew, I promise to give it a fair shot. Like I said, to me this rank is mostly a way of breaking ties when casting those last two votes, when I'm not too sure of which 2nd round entry I like better. Anyway, you still got a lot of support here in the boards, because Cayden's cup resonates well with a lot of gamers, and when I say that I hope you do make a kick-ass organization, I really mean it; heck, I hope all of them are great. I'm looking forward to seeing what you and the other guys come up with.

Considering I was in your bottom 5, this is promising.

I truly hope my organization impresses you enough that my item doesn't have to be a tie-breaker.

[Andrew Marlowe]

Mike Welham wrote:

I truly hope my organization impresses you enough that my item doesn't have to be a tie-breaker.

Here, Here

[Jacob Kellogg]

This is a very humbling thread for me, but also very educational.

[Sinosaur]

My top five:

1) Spellbreaker Gauntlets:

The item's actual wording and mechanics might need a little work, but above all other items, this is probably the one that if it popped up in a treasure hold, I'd want the most. It immediately calls to mind the image of a moment that would be remembered on past the end of the session, or a signature for a particular character. Also, I'm playing a Barbarian right now and the thought of using muscle to beat magic is pretty amazing.

2) Feywhisper Crown:

While the previous item got its spot for an especially epic image, this one just bleeds vileness. It's not hard to some villain waltzing into a room and breathing out a horrifying miasma and then stalking through it and assaulting the blinded and confused people stumbling through it. As a person who is almost entirely a player, it still managed to bring up plot ideas of players trying to solve a series of crimes where seemingly random items were stolen, but all those who were around can't remember anything more than perhaps a shadowy figure surrounding by a slowly expanding fog.

3) Basilisk's Eye Sight:

This one might just be a touch of bias, because I find the gunslinger class quite exciting, even if the only time I ever played one was for one of those games that fell apart after one session. Still, it gives yet another great mental image of the gunslinger peering through the slitted sight and then squeezing off a shot, and the target then slowly (okay, it would probably be pretty fast, but mental image), slowly turning to stone, spreading out from the point of impact. The gaze protection might want to be shifted to something that still provides downside; perhaps a greater minus to perception checks that's halved with a grit point or just a bonus to the saving throws.

4) Rajah's Silhouette:

This gets a vote specifically because it feels like the sort of item you'd find in an old story book. It's evocative and leads the mind to wander and come up with all sorts of stories of what sort of wizard would create an item like this, or perhaps what ruler would demand that one of his sages create it for him. It feels less like a tool for mechanics and more like a wondrous item from a fable.

5) Cloak of the Swashbuckler:

This is another item that might have a bit of bias as I've been looking through some more rakish options for characters lately, but it also has some nice flourish to it. It's exciting, especially with its uses actually requiring it to be held differently. The biggest flaw with this item, in my opinion, is that it doesn't actually feel very magical and the item name isn't the most exciting. Most of the description for this item left me feeling that it could honestly be an exotic piece of equipment rather than a magical item, and some updates to the writing to emphasize where the magic comes in would be nice.

Most of the items I selected, and those I'd hold in follow up positions, got picked because they gave me excellent mental images and made me think "Wow, that would be so awesome to see happen!" or "my character would look really cool using that" rather than immediately having me think that it would be an interesting mechanic.

[Jacob Trier]

A big round of appreciation for those of you who found space fot the Sunrise Shawl on your top 5.

Every time i see it, i get the exact same warm, fuzzy feeling you get from a charged Sunrise Shawl.

[James Raine]

Thanks for the support, guys. I made the spellbreaker gauntlets for exactly the reason mentioned earlier: it fits a niche that is popular in fantasy and should exist in the game, but doesn't yet.

[Greg Monk]

I really appreciate the support as well - thanks to those that top 5'ved mine, clunky, overpowered mechanics and all.

[David Ross]

Thanks for listing my item, Ragin' Sage, Salama, John Bennett, Dragon78, Clouds Without Water, Mikko Kallio, burrahobbit, Pedro Coelho, and Garrett Guillotte!

Ragin' Sage wrote:

I'm also a big fan of the Clockwork Conscience (yes, it's a bad name). The mechanics are fun, and I can see it getting a significant amount of us in a game. As Clark likes to say, it's go "mojo." It is a tad expensive for what it does though.

Thanks again, and in retrospect I definitely understand both of the cons you mentioned (detailed replies to these lines of thought are on the item's thread).

John Bennett wrote:

3. Clockwork Conscience- enjoyed the simplicity of this item with the flavorful description.

That's what I was aiming for, so I'm glad you think I hit the mark. :)

John Bennett wrote:

I am looking forward to reading everyone's organization. Four hundred words isn't a lot, especially when you have to divvy it up in the different sections. Maximizing words for impact is going to be critical.

Me too, and you can say that again.

burrahobbit wrote:

Clockwork Conscience: Helps out with a genuine in-game frustration and does so with flair (and I loved the name!)

I see the name was mostly a love-it-or-hate-it deal. I only wish I had better justified it with fluff or a moral lean to the second ability to make some of the haters love it too due to fitting well.

Pedro Coelho wrote:

2. Clockwork conscience: this one has me for its simplicity. I would like it to be less expensive, though, but that could easily be adjusted. It is a clever item that focuses on an annoying game situation (losing actions and attacking friends), effectively giving you a second chance without letting you re-roll your save (which is the usual way in Pathfinder). The name doesn’t bother me.

It's my philosophy that any addition which makes the game less annoying is one worth considering, and I figured that the mitigation to staggered would be a solid middle ground between immunity (which badly nerfs the critters which rely on stunning to keep going in a fight) and reducing the frustration of lost actions.

Garrett Guillotte wrote:

Honorable Mentions: I Want This (GM)

{...}

Clockwork Conscience
This is the sort of item I'd love to give to players. Literally; it's the sort of thing I'd prop and hand to the owner to remind both of us it's in play.

This mention in particular brought a big smile to my face, even if it's not a proper "top 5". I love the idea of doing this, and I'm thrilled that it was my item in particular that you had this response to. :D

Also, I will definitely be taking Neil's advice to heart and checking out the consistent high picks on this thread (such as the Spellbreaker Gauntlets and Rajah's Silhouette), so thanks to everyone for sharing your opinions!

[Curaigh]

Finally finished reading all 32!
I have pegged two for the platinum, four for the gold and two silvers that might be gold...

Dustings of Darkness: countering glitterdust, portable dark, good rules-fu.
Gloves of Reconnaissance: strictly the imagery I think, 'cause in so many ways I should NOT want one, but I do.
Elixer of Resurgent Flame: tightly written, combining holy/flame damage, wonderful imagery
Boots of the Phantom Staircase: cinematic ability, tightly written, good flavor
Sunrise Shawl: every party will benefit, cool recharge.
Feywhisper Crown: nice imagery, memory mod reminiscent of 13 sleeping dwarves... :)