Unraveling the Mysteries of Magical Artifacts

Magic is a mysterious and powerful force that has been the subject of fascination and wonderment for centuries. It is often depicted in literature, movies, and folklore as something extraordinary, capable of defying the laws of nature and achieving the impossible. However, with its immense power comes great responsibility and consequences. The weight of magic refers to the burden that comes with the use and possession of magical abilities. While magic may grant individuals incredible capabilities, it also demands a price in return. This weight can come in various forms, such as physical or emotional tolls, as well as moral and ethical dilemmas.

Their suffering is my fault, their survival is their own work, and all I can do is cheer them on and hope that they don’t suffer anything worse.

He stops his spell as he turns to look to the sky and the massive wooden structures peeling off from the stone buildings on either side of the street. Even the slightest glancing blow is enough to spread the parasitic flames, some try to put out the fires with their hands, trying in a panic to suffocate it like an ordinary fire, but it just spreads faster for their desperate efforts.

This weight can come in various forms, such as physical or emotional tolls, as well as moral and ethical dilemmas. On a physical level, the use of magic can be draining and exhausting. Casting spells or performing magical feats requires a considerable amount of energy from the individual.

D&D 5E Magic item weights aren't listed in DMG

Thoughts? I'm an encumbrance nerd, so this bugs me. Some things, like magic weapons or armor, you already know. And, other categories will always have a standard weight: potions, wands, etc. But, things that used to be classified as 'wondrous items' or 'misc magic items', I'm not sure how to assign weight to them, unless I refer to a prior edition, like 3rd or perhaps PF. What's your take?

Blackbrrd

First Post

painted_klown

First Post

They are magical and weightless.

j/k, but I would probably rule that way if it came down to a situation where a PC had to drop an item to avoid going over their carrying capacity.

Mephista

Adventurer

Well, most of them really dont' tneed weight listed, do they? A magic sword or armor. look up the weight of the appropriate sword type. One of the tomes? We have books in the equipment section PHB listed. Amulet of some kind? Use the holy object amulet as a comparison. Bag of holding? There's a bag listed. Boots and Bracers? Part of your armor / clothes calculation, I imagine.

Most of the stuff has an easy comparison. What exactly are you missing?

Umbran

Mod Squad

Most of the time, the magic item will weigh the same as a normal item of the same type.

Do the books have weights for all imaginable objects? No. Make a judgement call, based on items that are given weight, and move on. We want to watch encumbrance, but we don't have to be overzealous about it.

ziltmilt

First Post

A magic sword or armor. look up the weight of the appropriate sword type. One of the tomes? We have books in the equipment section PHB listed. Amulet of some kind? Use the holy object amulet as a comparison.

Yes, I mentioned this in my original post. I'm talking more about the oddball stuff, what used to be misc magic items or 'wondrous items'. So, items like the 'horn of valhalla' or 'pipes of the sewers' don't have a weight listed.

Not a big deal. As I mentioned, I'm an encumbrance nerd, and last year, I built an Excel app to track items in my PF game. I'm thinking of doing the same for this new version of D&D.

Fralex

Explorer

I wish the MM told us the weights of the monsters. I have no idea how to estimate anything related to weight.

ziltmilt

First Post

Seriously? Hmm . is this really a question that pops up during a game? I guess you could use size as a guideline.

jadrax

Adventurer

I wish the MM told us the weights of the monsters. I have no idea how to estimate anything related to weight.

Basically for standard humanoids its (HT x 0.08898) x (HT x 0.08898) x HT X 0.00136 X C

Where HT is height in inches, and C is a constant based upon the material it is made of. For flesh C = 47.

Grazzt

Demon Lord

Basically for standard humanoids its (HT x 0.08898) x (HT x 0.08898) x HT X 0.00136 X C

Where HT is height in inches, and C is a constant based upon the material it is made of. For flesh C = 47.

So the 1e/2e ogre (9 feet tall, 300-350 pounds) needed to eat more adventurers to reach average weight?

jadrax

Adventurer

So the 1e/2e ogre (9 feet tall, 300-350 pounds) needed to eat more adventurers to reach average weight?

Assuming my maths is correct and the stats of the 1e/2e ogre are unquestionable, it heavily points to C being 24, which means that Ogres are actually made of something resembling pine wood (C=28) rather than flesh.

Mind I haven't figured into that calculation that creatures of an Orcish build should actually have the final result multiplied by 1.3, which is pretty remiss of me.

Grazzt

Demon Lord

Assuming my maths is correct and the stats of the 1e/2e ogre are unquestionable, it heavily points to C being 24, which means that Ogres are actually made of something resembling pine wood (C=28) rather than flesh.

Mind I haven't figured into that calculation that creatures of an Orcish build should actually have the final result multiplied by 1.3, which is pretty remiss of me.

KarinsDad

Adventurer

Assuming my maths is correct and the stats of the 1e/2e ogre are unquestionable, it heavily points to C being 24, which means that Ogres are actually made of something resembling pine wood (C=28) rather than flesh.

Mind I haven't figured into that calculation that creatures of an Orcish build should actually have the final result multiplied by 1.3, which is pretty remiss of me.

The Ogre could be really really thin and the picture doesn't do him justice.

Ogre: "Does this tunic make me look fat?"

TarionzCousin

Second Most Angelic Devil Ever

rjfTrebor

Banned

maybe they wanted to encourage a dialogue between DMs and Players that results in the DM learning to make fair arbitrations while the Player learns to be accepting of the DM's judgement.

DaveMage

Slumbering in Tsar

guachi

Hero

Basically for standard humanoids its (HT x 0.08898) x (HT x 0.08898) x HT X 0.00136 X C

Where HT is height in inches, and C is a constant based upon the material it is made of. For flesh C = 47.

Calculating this for my height, 70 inches, gives a typical weight of 173.6 pounds. That's almost spot on for a normal weight for me.

I'd increase the total weight the formula gives you for really short humanoids like a halfling that might be wider proportionally than a human and maybe decrease it slightly for a really tall humanoid.

A 9 foot Ogre should weigh 637 pounds. So maybe 550-600?

A 3'6" halfling is 37 pounds so maybe 45 to simulate a pudgier dude?

The more powerful the magic, the greater the toll it takes on the user's body. This physical strain can leave practitioners weakened or even incapacitated, making it crucial to use magic sparingly and wisely. Emotionally, magic can also take a toll on individuals. The responsibility of possessing magical abilities can be overwhelming, as the choices made with magic can have far-reaching consequences. Often, those who wield magic find themselves torn between using their powers for personal gain or for the greater good. The constant struggle to maintain a balance between personal desires and the welfare of others can be emotionally draining and challenging. Moreover, the possession of magical abilities often leaves individuals vulnerable to exploitation and danger. In many stories, those with magical powers are sought after and targeted by individuals seeking to control or manipulate them for their own gain. This constant threat can create a constant state of fear and vigilance, as magic users must always be aware of the potential dangers they face. Finally, the weight of magic also includes moral and ethical considerations. The power that magic grants can tempt individuals to use their abilities for self-serving purposes, often disregarding the consequences their actions may have on others. Maintaining a strong moral compass and using magic responsibly is essential to prevent the misuse or abuse of magical abilities. In summary, the weight of magic encompasses the physical, emotional, moral, and ethical burdens that come with the possession and use of magical abilities. While magic can be a source of incredible power and wonder, it also demands responsibility, sacrifice, and careful decision-making. The weight of magic is a reminder that with great power comes great responsibility, and those who hold such power must be willing to bear the consequences of their actions..

Reviews for "The Cultural Influence of Magic in Literature and Film"

1. John - 2/5 - I found "The Weight of Magic" to be a rather disappointing read. The plot lacked cohesion, with various subplots that never quite came together in a satisfying way. The character development was also weak, as I found it difficult to form a connection with any of the characters. Additionally, the pacing of the story felt off, with moments of intense action abruptly shuffled with long stretches of tedious exposition. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this novel.

2. Emily - 2/5 - "The Weight of Magic" had an interesting premise, but the execution fell flat for me. The writing style was clunky and overly descriptive, which made it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters and their interactions. Moreover, the pacing felt slow and uneven, with unnecessary tangents that added little to the overall plot. Despite my initial excitement, I found myself struggling to finish this book and was ultimately left disappointed by the lackluster storytelling.

3. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really hoping to enjoy "The Weight of Magic," but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The world-building was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me constantly feeling lost and trying to piece together the different elements. The protagonist's journey was overly repetitive and lacked a clear sense of progression. Additionally, the supporting characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. While there were glimpses of potential, the overall execution fell short for me, making it a struggle to stay engaged throughout the novel.

4. Mark - 3/5 - "The Weight of Magic" had its moments, but ultimately, it failed to capture my attention fully. The premise was intriguing, and there were some memorable scenes, but the overall plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The writing style was also inconsistent, which made it difficult to immerse myself in the story. Although I appreciated the author's creativity, I couldn't help but feel that the execution could have been stronger. While it didn't live up to my expectations, I can see how others might enjoy this book if they're willing to overlook its flaws.

Magic Spells: A Historical Perspective