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4 months ago ::
Mar 12, 2013 - 12:52PM
#1
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Date Joined:
Aug 18, 2007
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Hi all!
I'm running an Forgotten realms campaign and the characters have now reached level 9 and are, unfortunately, also rich. (At least my players believe so). Now they are trying to buy magical items. I wonder. How common are magical items in cities. Is there are market?
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4 months ago ::
Mar 12, 2013 - 9:13PM
#2
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Date Joined:
Apr 21, 2009
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It depends I guess, Ed Greenwood has stated that he doesnt like the idea of 'Magic Shops', You get magic items from adventuring in old spooky dungeons or whatever, besides if you had a magic item would you sell it? Most people would keep it themselves, so the idea that there would be a shop that exclusively sells magic items is not very realistic, but dragons are ok!! But yeah there were a few cities that did have magic shops, Zhentil Keep was one, and I believe Waterdeep and one or two, That and theres all those Thayan Enclaves that sold magic stuff, but I wouldnt trust the Thayans too much knowhatimean? Any items bought from them id have a curse on there, or some spell where the Red Wizards could spy on any one who bought a magic longsword or whatever. Really what it boils down to is do you think the characters are going to be finding any magic items in a store in town? Another thing to keep in mind is that not all merchants are honest you know? So its possible that someone may have a "magic" sword for sell which turns out to be a mundane weapon, the characters ussually dont find this out until after they shell out a few hundred gold pieces for it, yes I can be a  sometimes, but I like to keep it real, as real as it can be in a world ful of magic and dragons and whatnot anyways.
I survived Section 4 and all I got was this lousy sig
Off-topic and going downhill from there
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4 months ago ::
Mar 12, 2013 - 10:35PM
#3
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One thing you can do as a DM is asign a gold piece limit for locations in the Realms. This number represents a cap of sorts on the gold piece value of most expensive item that can be purchased in a given location (magical and non-magical). To do this, look at where the PCs are at (village, small town, large town, city, walled city, capital of a nation or city state) and think about how much trade flows in and out of the location and how big the adult/working population is. The more people and the larger the variety of trade items that flow in and out, the likelier it is there are NPCs that buy and sell magic items. The 3.5 DMG lists values as low as 40gp for a thorp, to 100,000gp for a metropolis. Hope this helps. 
The Forgotten Realms: It's an ugly baby, but damnit it's our ugly baby.
WotC, please don't wreck the Forgotten Realms a third time in order to introduce the latest version of the D&D rules.
Give us back 3rd Edition's Magic Television concept instead.
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3 months ago ::
Mar 13, 2013 - 6:41AM
#4
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Date Joined:
Aug 18, 2007
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Thanks for tips and info!  Have the book Forgotten realms campaign setting (FRCS) and have read the section about magic items. Got confused when I later read about Shadowdale in the same book. "Exports: Ale, looted magic items...". I'm now running Shadowdale, The scouring of the land. Shadowfale is occupied by the Zhentarims and overun with soldiers and mercenary companies. There is a marketplace in the Forecourt of The Tower of Ashaba where the troops and mercenaries sell and buy minor magical items and masterwork weapons and armor. What kind of items counts as minor magical items. So far i have restricted it to potions, scrolls (CL 3), weapons and armor (just with + bonuses).
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3 months ago ::
Mar 13, 2013 - 9:41AM
#5
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Thanks for tips and info!
You're welcome. 
Have the book Forgotten realms campaign setting (FRCS) and have read the section about magic items. Got confused when I later read about Shadowdale in the same book. "Exports: Ale, looted magic items...".
Well, Shadowdale is right on the doorstep of the abandoned (at the time) Elven Court and Myth Drannor--this later location a place filled with ruins, magic items, monsters and the like.
Many adventurers make Shadowdale their starting point before venturing into the woods. Those lucky few who survive often return with magic, some of which they sell or trade in Shadowdale for food, housing and healing.
What kind of items counts as minor magical items. So far I have restricted it to potions, scrolls (CL 3), weapons and armor (just with + bonuses).
It looks like you've more or less figured this out. I too would go by Caster Level (3 is a good number).
Potions and scrolls with low power effects work too. I would add wands that cast spells of level 1-3 to this list.
I'd say anything of less than 2500gp counts as a minor magic item, as this covers most low power magic items (including +1 swords and armors).
The Forgotten Realms: It's an ugly baby, but damnit it's our ugly baby.
WotC, please don't wreck the Forgotten Realms a third time in order to introduce the latest version of the D&D rules.
Give us back 3rd Edition's Magic Television concept instead.
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3 months ago ::
Mar 14, 2013 - 12:32AM
#6
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Date Joined:
Aug 18, 2007
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Thanks a lot! It feels like I got it. Will keep 2500gp and +1 as a benchmark and of course common sense. Again thanks!
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3 months ago ::
Mar 20, 2013 - 12:32PM
#7
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The problem with no magic shops is, that gold is essentially worthless in many situations. There isn't very much interesting you can do with it, if you are focused on improving your character's combat abilities.
If you don't want a keep, or ship or whatever, what exactly are you going to spend your money on?
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3 months ago ::
Mar 21, 2013 - 3:19AM
#8
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Probably what most venturers spend their largest amounts of coin on... pleasureable company, drink, and lots of food. Maybe a good inn if there's enough coin left over.
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