Magic and Splendor at the Ringing Anvil

[written by Joel, who plays Durham, proprietor of the Ringing Anvil; with certain adjustments and edits by the Scribes]

Durham’s personal time of late has been used to cultivate friendly business relationship with Zaynab the Enchantress, famous for her magical enchantments; she shaped the magic that allows Durham's magic hammer Sunforger to fly and is the creator of the obsidian feshenga that sold at auction. Durham has spent 2000 dinars to add an office for Zaynab and furnish it for her. This friendly partnership allows for the creation of magical items at the Ringing Anvil.

Najm ibn Toaz – Mastersmith?

Another development is Najm ibn Toaz, a blacksmith at the Ringing Anvil. Najm has crafted many fine and splendid items for Durham and others. His most recent work has been a great sword named Slayer by its new owner Lars Ghar-rider. Yet, despite being one of the experts in the Dual Cities in handling the legendary alloy zortrium, he has not officially earned the title of Mastersmith. Due to an old rule in the guild-book one must prove their mastery by crafting an item and presenting it to the guild as a gift. If accepted by the guild, the crafter is bestowed the title of master; otherwise the gift is returned, and no title bestowed.

Some mock this tradition calling it antiquated and an unnecessary tribute to the guild, others respect the extra effort seeing it as a mark of the person's character and craftsmanship.

Opinions of others aside, Najm has set his mind to the task. Durham, his armorer 'Annaz, and the other employees of the Ringing Anvil have given Najm their support, allowing Najm spend up to one thousand Dinars from the Anvil's coffers as well have access to some of the Anvil's stock of zortrium. And so the process of a splendid item begins, a familiar task for Najm--but will it be worthy of earning him a title of Mastersmith?

Splendor and Magic – Zaynab and Enchantment

The commissioning of splendid items is what the Ringing Anvil is all about, and these items are the first step in making one's own personal magical item (like Durham did with Sunforger). Now with the partnership of Zaynab the Enchantress, it is possible to commission magical items from the Ringing Anvil!

The process starts with making a splendid item. For the creation of this, the player-character will need a rare material (defined by the referee), an expert craftsman, and 1000 dinars (gp) OR 50*(base price of the item), whichever is greater. After an appropriate amount of time to craft it, the splendid item is complete, and it has all the normal properties as well as a bonus of some kind. For example if the item was a short sword it would still do 1d6 damage and may also have a +1 bonus to its damage OR +1 to its attack roll (not both), or may yet have some other non-magical property due to the material it's constructed from or its unique design.

A remarkable item is made by upgrading a splendid item. This is done by paying another 1000 dinars, plus 50*(item's base price) to have additional work done on the item. This work can vary from the addition of new materials, the addition of new art and ornamentation, or a significant change in the item's design. Once complete a remarkable item gains another bonus or feature to what it once had.

Improving upon a remarkable item is rare and usually done by mystic and magical means (or advanced technology). The Ringing Anvil is now capable of this process, in the realm of the mystical and magical through the aid of Zaynab the Enchantress, which requires and additional 2000 dinars (flat fee), a plan or idea presented to the Enchantress, and a number of sessions mystically attuning with the item, guided by Zaynab (at least three successful “spiritual exercise” downtime activities for a minor enchantment, or longer as negotiated between Zaynab and the character // the referee and player).

Item	Bonus/ special ability	Cost
Splendid item	Has one bonus to hit, damage, AC or a non-magical ability*	1000gp OR 50*(base price) & unique materials**
Remarkable item	Has multiple bonuses or a non-magical abilities *	1000gp + 50*(base price), one splendid item & additional work***
Magical item	Has multiple bonuses and gains a magical ability	2000gp, one remarkable item, time† & special component‡

*non-magicial ability: a special property due to the construction or design of the item.

**Unique materials: can be special parts from monsters, a rare metal, etc.

***Additional work: something is added to the item in some meaningful way, perhaps another addition of a different unique material, gem or something changed/added to its design to make it even better than it was before.

†Time: at least three successful downtime activities pursuing “spiritual exercise”, under the guidance of Zaynab the Enchantress

‡Special component: being able to set a magical ability takes time (usually a month's worth) and a component used to bond magical properties to the item.

All costs are subject to negotiation by Durham, as he is the proprietor of the establishment, and some requests may require extra time/labor or extensive use of the Ringing Anvil's resources, and these considerations could affect costs.