There are many common and simple enchanted items used to make every day life easier. The method of enchantment for such items are well known and documented and often taught at wizards schools. Such items may be found in any town or city and can often be purchased at the local magic shop. The effectiveness of any common magic item often vary as widely as the skills of those who manufacture them. The cost is usually too expensive to make them a daily or weekly indulgence, but still within the reach of guilds, shopkeepers, less nobles, craftsmen and others of modest wealth.
Dancing Quill
A dancing quill will, upon command, dictate whatever is spoken. Wizards often use them in their research, to write notes, spells and so on. Such writing instruments are usually of the finest quality, fashioned from rare and exotic feathers with gold tips. A dancing quill will often function for several years before its magic is depleted. Dancing quills typically cost 25 to 100 gold pieces depending on the quality.
Darkmist
Darkmist appears as a churning inky black gaseous solution usually contained within a small vial. It most often is found in a 2 inch diameter glass sphere (commonly called a Darkmist Globe) or a small glass star shaped container. This gas will expand explosively when released from its container. The mist effectively smothers all light and blocks all forms of vision. Usually, the item is shattered as a grenade-like weapon and the instantaneous darkness that results can be used to cover an escape or hide a quick theft. The darkness effect lasts only a few seconds as the gas will dissipate and light/vision will slowly return to normal. It is usually long enough to provide an escape from an otherwise hopeless situation. A single dose of darkmist will typically cost 15 to 20 gold pieces. Too expensive for casual use, but a good "escape option" that a clever thief might use as a last resort.
Glowdust
Glowdust is a common alchemical and magical concoction that comes in a variety of forms. Glowdust live up to its name with one primary function - it glows brightly. There are many different kinds of glowdust. Some are activated upon contact with oxygen (and typically are kept in airtight glass bottles. Other dusts glow when struck with a hard object. Some glow a specific color. Sometimes glowdust is compacted into rocky nuggets. There are also liquid variations that produce a thick syrupy product which glows brightly.
The most common type of glowdust is the powder form. A single pinch will illuminate a 20 foot radius and glows for about a week. It is used as a common tool of adventure and exploration in the deep dark of the underworld. It can easily be scattered to light up a large chamber or sprinkled in small quantities to leave a long glowing trail in the dark to find one's way back.
Originally concocted by the dwarves, glowdust is used frequently in the underground city-states of Urmordia and Ulkran. The formula for the production of these various glowing powders and liquids is now well known to the other races and such basic magical products can be produced by many wizards. A large pouch glowdust (or a bottle of the liquid form) might be had for as little as 3 gold pieces.
Healing Potions and Curative Draughts
Healing potions vary widely in potency and form. A healing potion may be a foul bubbling concoction, a clear sweet syrupy resin, a fine powder that is mixed with wine or a thick, putrid paste that is smeared directly into a wound. Healing draughts are a fairly common magic item which are relatively easy to create. Backwater hedge wizards and witches have been brewing healing potions for many centuries. Every town has at least one hedge wizard that can brew a decent healing potion. Healing potions heal wounds. The healing occurs rapidly and is permanent. The amount of damage and healing speed vary depending on the exact nature of the potion. Healing potions can be purchased in most towns and major cities.
Love Potion
Love potions are elixirs that cause a temporary feeling of strong affection in the imbiber. Typically they will fall in love with the next person they see. There are dozens of recipes which vary greatly in strength, duration and effectiveness. The average love potion will last only a matter of minutes. The better ones will last an hour or two. The cost of a love potion can vary a great deal - anywhere from 1 gold piece to 100 gold pieces, depending on the circumstances.
Potion of Clarity
A potion of clarity is a magical elixir that instantly dispels drunkeness. It also dispels sleepiness and instantly invigorates and refreshes both body and mind. Barkeeps will sometimes keep bottles of this potion on hand to deal with rowdy drunks and barbrawls. Military leaders may keep it on hand to rouse drunken soldiers to battle quickly in times of sudden need. The required dose is small and the potion is usually found in small cork sealed glass bottles. A single dose costs 5 gold pieces. If used more than 3 times in a week, it will causes sleeplessness, agitation and nausea.
Scouring Vat
A scouring vat looks like a medium sized iron chest. It is usually decorative and has a clasp. If anything is placed inside the chest and the lid is closed, the item will be instantly cleaned. A scouring vat will function 3 times a day. All types of dirt and stains will be removed and the item will emerge spotless. it works on any material - wood, metal, clothing, fur and skin. The average scouring vat is only chest sized although larger versions have been produced including coffin sized version which are large enough to clean a full grown adult.
This page last updated Wednesday, December 24, 2008. Copyright 1990-2009 David M. Roomes.