While many of the material components of many spells can be gotten from a dime store Alchemist or apothecary (various powders, oils, etc), some of them require time, energy, and skill to create. Many high-level spells require jewel-encrusted items or even just gems to cast. In many cases, the component is consumed in the casting. I consider this job security.
Imagine a twist on the archetypical magic shop where, instead of magic weapons or armor, the proprietor(s) make the spell components that are harder to get. Prerequisites would be a high Int and Wis (to cover both Wizard and Cleric spells), Jeweler Tool Proficiency, as well as proficiency in other tool sets as appropriate.
I can see this as a very flavorful addition to a higher-level campaign while also providing some form of control over such spells for the DM. If the party likes to abuse a particular spell, then they might begin straining the local infrastructure for making the components for that spell. The price to obtain said item might rise a little, or a lot, or even become unobtainable completely.
It’s a solid idea just one most of us haven’t bothered with too much but. Think it’s a fair addition. Most would probably be retired casters that aren’t nteresting in further adventures or are taking a break for a while (elves, dwarves etc) they need to know the spells and what the components are like so they may ( if wizards) also sell access to their spellbooks so others can learn the spells they make the components for.
A vendor who creates or procures the spell components you need to cast spells? A fun idea. That could be anyone from (as Wi1dBi11 mentioned) a retired Wizard
"What's that you need? True Polymorph spell eh. I have the Gum Arabic on the far shelf there, I'll bring out the mercury it's locked up in the back oh and somewhere... ah yes those vials on the left rack have wisps of smoke in them."
to a crafty underworld salesman whose clientele are just casters
"Ya ya, I can get you a small figurine. It looks like what? Interesting, that sounds like the Duke. Oh no it don't matter none to me who you wants to imprison. What other bobbles you need for your spells?"
Or it could be a Black Smith and his wife who specialize in crafting the more unusual components.
"Here you are, three sets of silver linked rings and seven iron stars, nine points I believe you requested. Oh, one moment my husband only put five in the box. That's him hammering in the back, I'll be but moment, he can't hear anything when pounding the anvil."
Just a few thoughts.
I think most people honestly just glaze over it but really the purchasing of the components really is important like a ranger can't use the bow without arrows. A caster also needs supplies.
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I live my life like a West Marches campaign, A swirling vortex of Ambitions and Insecurities.
I like the idea a lot. Creates a lot of flavor and depth. :)
It's a sound plan. I might steal that from you, actually. So cheers!
I'd make sure of one thing: The component store should only be for flavor and not make things any more difficult for casters. I would use it to streamline things. So you can still find most components in most shops, but a specialized component store would be the place where you can get them easily and in bulk.
Such components can already be a nuisance for many spell casters.
While many of the material components of many spells can be gotten from a dime store Alchemist or apothecary (various powders, oils, etc), some of them require time, energy, and skill to create. Many high-level spells require jewel-encrusted items or even just gems to cast. In many cases, the component is consumed in the casting. I consider this job security.
Imagine a twist on the archetypical magic shop where, instead of magic weapons or armor, the proprietor(s) make the spell components that are harder to get. Prerequisites would be a high Int and Wis (to cover both Wizard and Cleric spells), Jeweler Tool Proficiency, as well as proficiency in other tool sets as appropriate.
I can see this as a very flavorful addition to a higher-level campaign while also providing some form of control over such spells for the DM. If the party likes to abuse a particular spell, then they might begin straining the local infrastructure for making the components for that spell. The price to obtain said item might rise a little, or a lot, or even become unobtainable completely.
It’s a solid idea just one most of us haven’t bothered with too much but. Think it’s a fair addition. Most would probably be retired casters that aren’t nteresting in further adventures or are taking a break for a while (elves, dwarves etc) they need to know the spells and what the components are like so they may ( if wizards) also sell access to their spellbooks so others can learn the spells they make the components for.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
A vendor who creates or procures the spell components you need to cast spells? A fun idea. That could be anyone from (as Wi1dBi11 mentioned) a retired Wizard
"What's that you need? True Polymorph spell eh. I have the Gum Arabic on the far shelf there, I'll bring out the mercury it's locked up in the back oh and somewhere... ah yes those vials on the left rack have wisps of smoke in them."
to a crafty underworld salesman whose clientele are just casters
"Ya ya, I can get you a small figurine. It looks like what? Interesting, that sounds like the Duke. Oh no it don't matter none to me who you wants to imprison. What other bobbles you need for your spells?"
Or it could be a Black Smith and his wife who specialize in crafting the more unusual components.
"Here you are, three sets of silver linked rings and seven iron stars, nine points I believe you requested. Oh, one moment my husband only put five in the box. That's him hammering in the back, I'll be but moment, he can't hear anything when pounding the anvil."
Just a few thoughts.
I think most people honestly just glaze over it but really the purchasing of the components really is important like a ranger can't use the bow without arrows. A caster also needs supplies.
I live my life like a West Marches campaign, A swirling vortex of Ambitions and Insecurities.
I like the idea a lot. Creates a lot of flavor and depth. :)
It's a sound plan. I might steal that from you, actually. So cheers!
I'd make sure of one thing: The component store should only be for flavor and not make things any more difficult for casters. I would use it to streamline things. So you can still find most components in most shops, but a specialized component store would be the place where you can get them easily and in bulk.
Such components can already be a nuisance for many spell casters.
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Should anyone want it, I made up a little something a while ago in relation to Material components, pdf copy of it available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1brNcgADfNI0HDcMhCkeRRoB5enxp6CvI/view?usp=share_link
Its not the finest thing ever written and I apologise in advance for gramamtical errors and such.
I love this idea and am going to start using it in my future campaigns.
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