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Below is the unique weapon (spoilers removed), Emberchill:
Emberchill is a +1 frost sickle whose cruel blade is crafted entirely of magical ice. The weapon itself is immune to fire damage. A spellcaster can store a single spell of any level with the cold descriptor and a casting time of one standard action in Emberchill. The wielder can use the stored spell to counterspell any spell with the fire descriptor, provided that the stored cold spell is 1 or more levels higher than the target fire spell (unless the cold spell specifically counters the fire spell). The wielder must still ready an action and succeed at a Spellcraft check to identify the spell to counterspell it. Once stored in the weapon, the cold spell cannot be used for any other purpose, but the wielder can harmlessly discharge the stored spell as a swift action to make room for another spell.
For the extra price of 4500gp, the wielder gains an extra spell slot (assuming one wasn't used the day before, and therefore can be stored in the weapon), which can be only be used to counterspell a spell with the fire descriptor of a lower level than the highest the user can cast.
As a GM, I'm not happy giving this unique ability to my players. Knowing how they will come across it, there is almost zero chance they will ever be expecting to come across a fire spell, and actually ready a standard action to counterspell it. In fact, off the top of my memory, I don't think they ever will come across any enemies who do cast fire spells. As such, I predict this heirloom will be sold as soon as my PCs can find a merchant willing to buy it, since the back-liners won't use it for its weapon qualities, and it's not a great primary weapon for a front-lining spellcaster, and it's a terrible backup weapon.
I'd like to expand its counterspelling options somewhat. Here are what I'd like to do it:
- The wielder may store any spell in the weapon.
- The wielder can use the stored spell to counterspell any spell that shares a school with the stored spell, provided that the stored spell is the same level or higher than the target spell. The wielder must still ready an action and succeed at a Spellcraft check to correctly identify the spell to counterspell it.
- (?) The wielder must succeed at a caster level check as per dispel magic.
How far out of line is this with the 4500gp price tag, especially attached to a +1 frost sickle that is rarely if ever going to be used as a weapon? Assuming your character didn't start out building to counterspell and randomly found this, would you still sell it as soon as you could, or would you find it amazing for its price? What about with/without the caster level check?
Compare to ring of counterspells for 4000gp:
Upon first examination, this ring seems to be a ring of spell storing. However, while it allows a single spell of 1st through 6th level to be cast into it, that spell cannot be cast out of the ring again. Instead, should that spell ever be cast upon the wearer, the spell is immediately countered, as a counterspell action, requiring no action (or even knowledge) on the wearer’s part. Once so used, the spell cast within the ring is gone. A new spell (or the same one as before) may be placed into it again.
This works on only a specific 6th levels or lower spell, but doesn't take an action or a Spellcraft check (or a caster level check).
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I think I'll go with this:
Emberchill is a +1 frost sickle whose cruel blade is crafted entirely of magical ice. The weapon itself is immune to fire damage. A spellcaster can store a single spell of any level with the and a casting time of one standard action in Emberchill. The wielder can use the stored spell to counterspell any spell that shares a school with the stored spell, provided that the stored spell has an equal level or higher than the target spell. The wielder must still ready an action and succeed at a Spellcraft check to identify the spell to counterspell it. Once stored in the weapon, the spell cannot be used for any other purpose, but the wielder can harmlessly discharge the stored spell as a swift action to make room for another spell.
It was previously 12806gp, or 4500gp in addition to the +1 frost sickle. Does anyone have any suggestions on what the new price should be? Can it stay the same? Yes, it is more powerful than the previous ability, but at the same time, the previous ability was not useful.