Hello everybody!

Can I please get your opinions on a new consumable magic item I have developed?

Spellshard Crystal

The item doesn't seem to give details on how to store a spell in it - or does it come with a specific spell already stored?

It’s kind of like a Spell Scroll alternative. Something you could throw, tie to an arrow, stick in a lantern and carry around. It would require no Spellcasting ability to use. I immagine it would take about 20-25% more gold/time to create than a scroll, have all the same requirements, except materials and probably requiring proficiency with Jeweler’s Tools to create.

So what do you think?

• If the contained spell affects a single creature, the crystal must be broken either on or by the intended target. If the crystal is broken by accident the spell contained within targets a random creature within 5 feet. If no targets are in range the spell fails.

I like this one as it encourages creativity - harmful effects you have to lure them to break or launch in some way.

• If the contained spell has an area effect the point of origin is the crystal itself. In the case of lines, cubes, and cones whoever breaks the crystal chooses its orientation. If the crystal is broken by accident the spell’s orientation is determined randomly. 

Like the above, I'm interested how you are going to measure accident or not, especially if you are trying to do harmful effects. I think it would make it simpler if you just removed the idea of intentional or accidental triggering.

• If the contained spell has an area effect and a duration longer than instant, such as Faerie Fire or Light, the spell’s area remains focused on the crystal, and if the crystal moves, the area of effect moves with the crystal.

If the effect remains centered on the crystal, does that mean that it is not broken? because a broken crystal would shatter... 

I do prefer the idea to spell scrolls, as they are more flexible and creative but I think that more work needs to be done to shore up/ clarify ambiguities... such as who's spell-casting modifier will you use and what about people who aren't spell-casters using them?

Quote from Cheeky_Hamster >>

• If the contained spell affects a single creature, the crystal must be broken either on or by the intended target. If the crystal is broken by accident the spell contained within targets a random creature within 5 feet. If no targets are in range the spell fails.

I like this one as it encourages creativity - harmful effects you have to lure them to break or launch in some way.

 Thanks! That was kinda the plan. Being able to encorporate them into traps or launch them with a Sling or the Catapult spell.

Quote from Cheeky_Hamster >>

• If the contained spell has an area effect the point of origin is the crystal itself. In the case of lines, cubes, and cones whoever breaks the crystal chooses its orientation. If the crystal is broken by accident the spell’s orientation is determined randomly. 

Like the above, I'm interested how you are going to measure accident or not, especially if you are trying to do harmful effects. I think it would make it simpler if you just removed the idea of intentional or accidental triggering.

 The DM would adjudicate accidental vs. intentional breakages, just like they adjudicate everything else. If a PC smashes a crystal of Burning Hands on the ground in front of them that’s intentional, if they drop it that would be accidental, if it gets knocked out of their hand by a Disarming Strike Maneuver that would be intentional by the other character.

Quote from Cheeky_Hamster >>

• If the contained spell has an area effect and a duration longer than instant, such as Faerie Fire or Light, the spell’s area remains focused on the crystal, and if the crystal moves, the area of effect moves with the crystal.

If the effect remains centered on the crystal, does that mean that it is not broken? because a broken crystal would shatter... 

 I also developed a piece of equipment called a “Crystalglow Lantern” specifically for people to crack their magic glowstick crystals into so they can be portable. It was intended for Crystals enchanted with the Light spell, but sonofagun if it didn’t work for Faerie Fire too!

Quote from Cheeky_Hamster >>

I do prefer the idea to spell scrolls, as they are more flexible and creative but I think that more work needs to be done to shore up/ clarify ambiguities... such as who's spell-casting modifier will you use and what about people who aren't spell-casters using them?

 The DC for save-based spells would be from whoever put the spell into the crystal much like a Wand. That might be a better way to conceptualize these, as fire-and-forget, single use wands. Kind of like how anybody can use a Wand of Magic Missiles. As for Attack based spells they would use the PC’s ranged/melee-weapon attack rules since this is a physical object. 

What do you think about the revisions I made?

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