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Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Starfinder RPG

Rules Index | GM Screen
Pathfinder Unchained / Dynamic Magic Item Creation

Random Challenges

Source Pathfinder Unchained pg. 182
The Game Master should roll on the table below to determine which challenges the player characters face while making the item. Alternatively, the GM can instead choose a particular challenge based on the circumstances of the campaign.

d%Challenge
01–04Aberrant mutation
05–08Challenging construction
09–12Contradictory instructions
13–16Cryptic cross-reference
17–20Distracting visitor
21–24Emotion requirement
25–28Energy overload
29–32Enticing offer
33–36Fragile components
37–40Historic stumbling block
41–44Illegal ingredients
45–48Infested ingredients
49–52Ingredients develop quasi-sentience
53–56Intrusive spirit
57–60Ley line convergence
61–64Magical resonance
65–68Planar peculiarity
69–72Rare reference
73–76Reagent shortage
77–80Regal requisite
81–84Sesquipedalian elucidation
85–88Structural flaw
89–92Sudden inspiration
93–100Class-specific challenge

Aberrant Mutation

The item’s components have mutated, and so has your item, evolving in strange new ways.

Tasks

Alter Mutation Spellcraft DC 15 + item’s caster level
Analyze Mutation Knowledge (dungeoneering) DC 25

Results

Critical Success Mutation proves helpful. 1 perk.
Success Mutation proves harmless. 1 quirk.
Failure Mutation proves harmful. 1 flaw.
Critical Failure Mutation spirals out of control. Item switches to a random item of the same type or slot, but of lesser value. If none exists, the item is instead destroyed; you lose 25% of the item’s market price and must start over.

Challenging Construction

One or more elements of your item’s design are particularly difficult to execute.

Tasks

Blueprint and Plan Knowledge (engineering) DC 25
Rely on Your Craftsmanship Craft (item’s type) DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Challenge exceeded. –1 day, –10% cost.
Success Challenge overcome. No adjustment.
Failure Construction proved costly. +2 days, +5% cost.
Critical Failure Construction botched. +15% cost, 1 flaw.

Contradictory Instructions

Two respected sources disagree vehemently on the next step in the process.

Tasks

Discern the Sounder Choice Knowledge (arcana) DC 15 + item’s caster level
Take a Middle Path Spellcraft DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Best of both worlds. –3 days, –5% cost.
Success Contradiction resolved. No adjustment.
Failure Misstep. +3 days, +5% cost.
Critical Failure Worst of both worlds. +7 days, +10% cost.

Cryptic Cross-Reference

You’re having trouble figuring out where to find the information you need across multiple volumes.

Tasks

Follow the Footnotes Linguistics DC 20
Make Something Up Use Magic Device DC 15 + the item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Perfect coordination. –3 days, –5% cost.
Success Excellent notes. –1 day.
Failure Lost in paperwork. +3 days.
Critical Failure Series of missteps. +3 days, 1 flaw.

Distracting Visitor

An unwanted interloper shows up while you’re trying to work, making it challenging to concentrate.

Tasks

Ignore the Distraction concentration DC 15 + item’s caster level
Send the Visitor Away Diplomacy or Intimidate DC 20

Results

Critical Success Unexpected helpfulness. –1 day, –5% cost.
Success Short chat. No adjustment.
Failure Distracted. +1 day, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure Offended visitor interferes. +2 days, +5% cost, 1 flaw.

Emotion Requirement

In order to create the item, you need to harness a particular raw emotion.

Tasks

Elicit through Performance Perform (any) DC 20 + item’s caster level
Manipulate Others Bluff DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Power from emotional surge. –5% cost, 1 perk.
Success Harnessed emotions. No adjustment.
Failure Tepid emotions. +1 day, +5% cost, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure Interference from opposing emotions. +3 days, +10% cost, 1 flaw.

Energy Overload

A sudden surge of energy builds up within your item, threatening to damage or destroy it.

Tasks

Channel into Your Body Fortitude DC 20 + item’s caster level
Divert to Another Item Craft (item’s type) DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Overload leveraged. –2 days, –10% cost, 1 perk.
Success Overload diverted. 1 quirk.
Failure Expensive damage. +7 days, +15% cost.
Critical Failure Eldritch explosion. Item destroyed. Creators take 1d6 points of damage per caster level of the item.

Enticing Offer

A shady figure approaches you with an offer that would make completing your item faster and cheaper.

Tasks

Discern True Worth Sense Motive DC 20
Incorporate Offer Spellcraft DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success It actually worked! –1 day, –5% cost, 1 quirk.
Success Avoid mischief. No adjustment.
Failure Not exactly as advertised. –1 day, –5% cost, 2 flaws.
Critical Failure Completely duped. +1 day, +5% cost, 2 flaws.

Fragile Components

Some of the most important components of your item are extremely fragile.

Tasks

Reinforce Design Craft (item’s type) DC 15 + item’s caster level
Use a Delicate Touch Sleight of Hand DC 15 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Flawless components. –10% cost.
Success Undamaged components. No adjustment.
Failure Damaged components. +1 day, +5% cost.
Critical Failure Item destroyed. Lose 25% of the item’s market price and start over.

Historic Stumbling Block

Your creation techniques have run across a challenging difficulty experienced by many past crafters.

Tasks

Learn from History Knowledge (history) DC 25
Solve It Yourself Spellcraft DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success An amazing workaround overcomes the issue. –3 days, –5% cost.
Success Stumble avoided. –1 day.
Failure Doomed to repeat the same mistake. +3 days, +10% cost.
Critical Failure Misapplied techniques result in disaster. +7 days, +10% cost, 1 flaw.

Illegal Ingredients

One or more of the necessary ingredients is flagrantly illegal, and needs to be acquired through criminal means.

Tasks

Entreat the Black Market Knowledge (local) DC 25
Smuggle It Yourself Sleight of Hand DC 30

Results

Critical Success Sell surplus to a fence. –10% cost.
Success Found just enough. No adjustment.
Failure Failed procurement. +5 days, +5% cost, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure Arrested and fined. +15% cost, creator attempting smuggling is arrested and sentenced to jail time or escapes custody and is on the run.

Infested Ingredients

Critical ingredients were infested by an exotic rot or colony of vermin, rendering them unusable.

Tasks

Procure Inexpensive Replacements Appraise DC 25
Purge the Infestation Heal DC 30

Results

Critical Success Seller’s market. –5% cost.
Success Crisis averted. No adjustment.
Failure Gouged on prices. +10% cost.
Critical Failure Infestation spreads into item. +5% cost, 1 quirk, 1 flaw.

Ingredients Develop Quasi-Sentience

Somehow, one or more of your item’s components have developed a limited intelligence.

Tasks

Coax Ingredients to Greater Performance Handle Animal DC 30
Magically Force Ingredients into Order Spellcraft DC 15 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Item proceeds as normal but becomes an intelligent item of your alignment, and it likes you.
Success Ingredients work with you. 1 perk if you coaxed the ingredients; –5% cost if you coerced the ingredients.
Failure Ingredients rebel against you and escape or sabotage the item. +15% cost, 1 flaw.
Critical Failure Item proceeds as normal but becomes an intelligent item of a contrary alignment, and it hates you.

Intrusive Spirit

Your item’s creation draws the attention of a wandering spirit with some affinity for the item.

Tasks

Exorcise Spirit Knowledge (religion) DC 25
Seek Spirit’s Aid Diplomacy DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Spirit’s release. –3 days, –5% cost, 1 perk.
Success No adjustment for exorcising the spirit; –1 day, –5% cost, 1 quirk for seeking the spirit’s aid.
Failure Spirit’s interference. +3 days, +5% cost, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure Spirit’s wrath. Item is cursed.

Ley Line Convergence

The item’s creation is dependent on the energy of intersecting ley lines or of another magical location.

Tasks

Adjust Accordingly Knowledge (arcana) DC 20 + item’s caster level
Find the Perfect Spot Knowledge (geography) DC 25

Results

Critical Success Auspicious convergence. –2 days, 1 perk.
Success Satisfactory location. No adjustment.
Failure Misaligned location. +3 days, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure Deleterious convergence. +10% cost, 1 flaw.

Magical Resonance

The magical auras of several components thrum with a strange resonance whenever they are near each other.

Tasks

Analyze the Cause Spellcraft DC 15 + item’s caster level
Follow the Rhythm Perform (any) DC 15 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Resonant power revealed. –1 day, 1 perk.
Success Resonance limited. 1 quirk.
Failure Resonance interferes. +1 day, +5% cost, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure Out of control! +3 days, +10% cost, 1 flaw.

Planar Peculiarity

You realize that your item’s creation is influenced by planar convergences or other peculiarities.

Tasks

Consult a Planar Orrery Knowledge (planes) DC 25
Secure Outsider’s Assistance Diplomacy DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Perfectly aligned. –3 days, –5% cost, 1 perk.
Success Well aligned. –1 day.
Failure Poorly aligned. +1 day, 1 quirk, 1 flaw.
Critical Failure Catastrophically aligned. +3 days, +5% cost, 1 flaw.

Rare Reference

You uncovered a reference that a rare book located in a large library will help with the item’s creation.

Tasks

Check the Card Catalog Linguistics DC 20
Scan the Shelves Perception DC 30

Results

Critical Success Expedient search. –3 days.
Success Found it! –1 day.
Failure Lengthy search. +3 days.
Critical Failure Huge delays and fees. +10 days, +5% cost.

Reagent Shortage

You suddenly realize that you don’t have enough stock of an important ingredient.

Tasks

Improvise a Substitution Craft (alchemy) DC 30
Search for More Survival DC 25

Results

Critical Success Amazing combination. –5% cost, 1 perk.
Success Sufficient components. No adjustment.
Failure Missing component. +10% cost.
Critical Failure Terrible mix. +5% cost, 1 flaw.

Regal Requisite

Your item requires a king’s hair, a prince’s kiss, or some other participation from high-ranking nobility.

Tasks

Exploit Noble Ties Knowledge (nobility) DC 25
Falsify the Ingredients Use Magic Device DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Regal synergy. 1 perk.
Success No adjustment for noble ties; 1 quirk for falsified ingredients.
Failure Introduced impurities. 1 flaw.
Critical Failure Impurities and ostracism. +3 days, 1 flaw, creator attempting to exploit noble ties is ostracized at court.

Sesquipedalian Elucidation

The instructions for your next component are nearly impossible to understand due to abstruse language.

Tasks

Consult a Dictionary Linguistics DC 15 + item’s caster level
Make Up Your Own Big Words Use Magic Device DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Master of erudition. –3 days, –5% cost.
Success Instructions elucidated. –1 day.
Failure Nonplussed. +3 days, +5% cost.
Critical Failure Confounded. +7 days, +10% cost.

Structural Flaw

Partway through the creation process, you notice a flaw in the item’s physical design.

Tasks

Disassemble and Adjust Disable Device DC 30
Turn to Your Advantage Craft (item’s type) DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Surprising benefits. +1 day, –10% cost, 1 perk.
Success Meticulousness pays off. +1 day, –5% cost.
Failure Insurmountable flaw. +3 days, +5% cost, 1 flaw.
Critical Failure Item destroyed in disassembly. Lose 25% of the item’s market price and start over.

Sudden Inspiration

You are struck with a sudden stroke of brilliance and alter the creation process.

Tasks

Improve the Item Spellcraft DC 20 + item’s caster level
Improve the Methodology Knowledge (arcana) DC 20 + item’s caster level

Results

Critical Success Incredible breakthrough. –2 days, –5% cost, 1 perk.
Success Breakthrough. 1 perk for improved item; –2 days for improved methodology.
Failure False lead. +1 day, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure Terrible idea. +2 days, +5% cost, 1 flaw.