RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
|
I was reading through last years RPG Superstar feedback and came up with a few questions:
1) How is the strongest aura determined on the magic item?
moon circlet = Darkvision (transmutation) has a higher CL than light (evocation), but evocation is the listed aura.
necklace of ki serentity = Calm emotions (enchantment) and owl's wisdom (transmutation) both have the same caster level, but only an enchantment aura is shown.
2) Is only the strongest aura displayed?
3) Why are only the healing and charm subschools listed on magic item auras, but not other subschools like polymorph or shadow? I noticed the subschools only appear in the APG and not the CRB. Was this for any particular reason? (e.g. crystal of healing hands, manacles of cooperation)
4) Any particular reason [chaotic],[evil],[good], and [lawful] descriptors only appear in the CRB and not the APG?
Candidates for descriptors:
cauldron of the dead = The Black Cauldron should be evil! (I know zombies aren't skeletons, but close enough)
Champion, dastard, righteous, and unrighteous armor qualities.
5) Why aren't the schools listed for the lord's banner. The figurines of wondrous power follow the same format and have the auras listed.
(NOTE: I am using the PRD for this thread since I am work with no books.)
Aura: This section exists so the GM can quickly tell a player what schools of magic the item uses. This is noteworthy only if the PC fails the Spellcraft check to identify the item and needs an idea of what it may do. Auras are always written as "faint," "moderate," or "strong," plus the appropriate school or schools, and perhaps a subschool if relevant.
I have no clue about the rest, but that might help. I always figured it was more about the overall item, rather than the specific spells used to make it.
|
1. and 2. A magic item only has one aura, though it may read as multiple schools. The strength depends on the item's caster level as described for detect magic.
3. This seems to be in error. Detect magic doesn't give you subschools or other descriptors.
4. Alignment descriptors show how the item reacts to detect evil, etc. I agree that other sourcebooks should give them where justified. Otherwise, RAW is that the item doesn't register as an aligned magic item.
5. edit: The school of the lord's banner depends on which type of banner you have. You'd have to look up the prerequisite spells. The figurines of wondrous power have an equivalent listing.
Figurines of Wondrous Power
Aura varies
All figurines have a transmutation aura, but some of them have extra effects.