I was briefly considering entering the Paizo RPG Superstar competition this year (the jury’s still out on whether I’m going to or not), so I quickly decided to whip up a magic item just for practice. It’s not very original, but it’s alright for a first try:
Eye of Medusa
Aura: evocation; CL 7th
Slot: none; Weight: 1 lb; Price: 9500 gp
Description
The eye of medusa looks like a normal rock with a brilliant red ruby encrusted on one side. Whoever looks at the gem turns to stone, as though affected by the spell flesh to stone. This effect lasts for 1 hr/level. The spell can be reversed before the duration runs out by having someone show the victim the gem again.
If the gem is removed from the rock, then the enchantment is lost – the ruby becomes a normal ruby, and the rock becomes nothing more than a rock. In order to regain the enchantment, the item must be crafted again.
Construction
Requirements: Craft Wondrous Item, ruby (275 gp), rock. Cost: 4750 gp
I made up the costs, because I couldn’t really find any guidelines on how to price them. Other than that, though, is it okay?
For future reference, there are rules for determining the cost of magic items (though I often encounter instances where my item doesn’t fit the creation rules very well). You can find them at the PFSRD.
I haven’t done the math… but here are some of my thoughts:
1) no colon after Aura
no colon after Requirements
2) need an Aura strength (faint, moderate, or strong), probably strong
3) semicolons are not bolded (they appear so to me)
4) flesh to stone is a 6th level wizard spell, which means the CL must at least be 11th
5) no colon after Slot, Price, or Weight
6) no slot should be represented by “-” instead of “none”
7) Price should be listed before Weight
9) Craft Wondrous Item is not italicized (but spells are)
10) missing flesh to stone spell requirement
11) items are not listed in the Requirements section (remove ruby and rock)
12) duration should already be determined AND whose level are we talking about? the wielder or the creators?
13) I would rephrase “runs out” to “ends”
14) I would rephrase “having someone show the victim the gem again” to “showing the gem to the affected character”
Simple format errors are the quickest way to be eliminated from the contest.
Thanks for all the feedback! I’m gonna need everything I can if I end up entering.
No problem. I just went over my entry with a fine tooth comb. Doubt it will make the cut, but I like it.
Good luck!