Craft Wondrous Item - simpler explanation

[Burguul]

I don't think I quite understand how this works.

For example, let's say I wish to craft a pendant that would give my cleric an "Aura of Doom", for example, active at all times.

How much would it cost? And why?

[Fuzzy-Wuzzy]

That's up to your GM to determine, with "you can't" a very possible answer.

Here are the steps your GM goes through to determine price, once they've decided to allow the item at all.

1) Compare to existing items with similar effects. If such exist, use them as basis.

2) If there aren't any, fall back to the Estimating Magic Item Gold Piece Values table.

In this case we're looking at a continuous spell effect, so the base price is 2000 * spell level (4) * caster level (7) = 56,000 gp. But the footnote on that formula says to multiply by 1.5 for a 10 min/level duration, so we get 84,000 gp price to buy, half that = 42,000 gp cost to make.

3) See if you (still meaning the GM) think that's reasonable and tweak as necessary.

[GM Rednal]

Also worth considering: The slot. Aura of Doom generally affects a foe's willingness to fight, so it probably counts as a Morale-type item. That makes the Headband the most appropriate slot for it. This would compete with the Wisdom-boosting headband you probably want for your Cleric, though it is possible to craft both effects into an item (at a cost).

Of course, your GM may rule differently and assign it to another slot. There's a general guideline for appropriate slots here.

(Why not just make it a Pendant? Well, crafting rules generally recommend against allowing cross-slot items, like a Chest item that provides a Deflection Bonus to AC or a Wrist item that provides a Resistance Bonus to Saves. This preserves the "value" of each slot by forcing people to make decisions about what they want to equip there. Otherwise, it would be too easy to get many powerful effects.)