Magic has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue. From ancient civilizations to modern society, the concept of magic has captivated individuals across cultures and time periods. But what exactly is the value of magic? Is it merely a form of entertainment, or does it hold a deeper significance? One of the primary values of magic lies in its ability to spark wonder and awe. Whether it's a breathtaking illusion or a mind-boggling trick, magic has the power to transport us to a realm of imagination and mystery. It taps into our sense of curiosity and encourages us to question the limits of reality. In a world that often seems mundane and predictable, magic provides a much-needed escape, reminding us that not everything can be easily explained or understood.
Here are a few items from the book:
Wave chain mail , which means opponents have disadvantage to hit you when you re at least half-submerged in water, and as a reaction you can gain immunity to non-magical damage for a turn as you turn your body into water. It feels similar in weight to the rulebooks Wizards of the Coast makes, and that s a significant improvement over some of the oversized monster books.
In a world that often seems mundane and predictable, magic provides a much-needed escape, reminding us that not everything can be easily explained or understood. Additionally, magic can serve as a form of artistic expression. Magicians are essentially performers, using their skills and creativity to craft a captivating experience for their audience.
Supplement Review: Vault of Magic
In the forty-odd years, I’ve played Dungeons & Dragons, most of the magic items I give out come from the core rulebooks.
There are several reasons for this, mainly because I often use random magic item tables rather than selecting items to match the characters. The random tables typically only exist in the core book. And it becomes very hard when the magic items are split among many sources, with only a few in each book.
So then, why has Kobold Press’s Vault of Magic book become my go-to book for magic items in my 5E games? There are three reasons:
- It has full random magic item tables, integrating those from the DMG and this book,
- The book is nothing but magical items, and
- The items are excellent!
Creating good magic items is not easy. Often the items are incredibly specific, and they don’t fit in a campaign Or you can make generally useful items that are boring. While it’s not the case that all the items in the DMG are boring, many of them feel that way. They’re the baseline from which we examine magic items.
Although part of why I think this is due to the length of time I’ve played the game, I also think many items are nerfed. The sword of sharpness may have been overpowered in its AD&D 1 st edition presentation, but it felt cool. The 5E version feels less effective than a +1 sword!
The Vault of Magic shines in giving magic items that extra step up. The items feel interesting and effective, whilst not entering the level of overpowered or oppressively good. Or too complicated, which can be a problem when people try to design magic items.
This is not to say that every item in the Vault is a hit. There are too many items for that to be true. It’s a 236-page book. Not everything is going to be great.
But the fact that almost every time I randomly roll for an item, I hit something that excites me is impressive.
Here are a few items from the book:
- The slatelight ring, which grants or extends a character’s darkvision by 60 feet, and can cast faerie fire
- A purified phoenix tear, which you consume and restores 20 hp the next time you fall to 0 hit points.
- Locksmith’s oil, which grants a +1d4 bonus to picking the lock it is used on.
- Wave chain mail, which means opponents have disadvantage to hit you when you’re at least half-submerged in water, and as a reaction you can gain immunity to non-magical damage for a turn as you turn your body into water.
- The survival knife, which can transform into a crowbar, fishing rod, hunting trap or hatchet at command.
- The Serpent’s Tooth, a spear that deals an additional 1d6 poison damage and allows you to make Acrobatics checks with advantage.
These items feel useful, with abilities that make them feel distinctive. The book includes items that provide simple minor effects, and items that match the most powerful heroes.
How many items are in the book? According to the back cover, there are over 950. It’s probably more than you need for one campaign. I have become much more of a Monty Haul DM since I got the book, as I want to put as many of them into the hands of the players as I can. (It’s not like they’ll be able to use them all at the same time!)
Apart from the regular run of magic items, Vault of Magic introduces a few fabled items.
Fabled items are magic items that gain more powers as the user gains levels. The user needs to attune to the item to gain all their benefits, but there are no additional penalties. It’s a better solution that we saw in Weapons of Legacy back in the 3.5E days. I loved the concept of Weapons of Legacy, but the execution was flawed.
Here’s what Raurrick’s Axe does. It once belonged to a famed dwarven warrior-priest:
- The bearer has proficiency in the Religion skill
- At 5 th level, it deals an additional 1d8 radiant damage
- At 9 th level, it gains a +1 to hit and damage, and deals triple damage on a critical hit instead of double.
- At 13 th level, the bonus becomes +2, and when you strike an evil creature, you may use your bonus action to strike again.
- At 17 th level, the bonus becomes +3, and once per day, you can use an action to frighten creatures within 30 feet of you.
All the items in the book have good descriptive text and may have historical notes; the fabled items have more. I find the text inspirational and a good starting point for my integration of the items into the game.
The back cover mentions that the book includes item sets. These are magic items that gain more power as you find the linked item. Unfortunately, they’re not listed together in the book. In fact, they’re incredibly hard to find. There are two items – the Crook of the Flock and the Shepherd’s Flail that I discovered that work together. Are there more?
I wish there were a dedicated section for these set items, because placing all the pieces of these items into a dungeon and having the party quest for them is a great idea. I’m afraid this will likely go down as a missed opportunity.
The book uses art well. It doesn’t illustrate each item, but there are enough to give a good sense of flavour. None of the illustrations breaks up the layout badly – a real problem in a lot of modern books.
Another factor that draws me to the book is that it is eminently portable, as it is nowhere near as thick as one of the Tome of Beasts products. It feels similar in weight to the rulebooks Wizards of the Coast makes, and that’s a significant improvement over some of the oversized monster books.
The book isn’t perfect, and you may feel differently about its contents. But this feels like an almost-perfect supplement. I highly recommend Vault of Magic, an excellent complement to your 5E campaign.
There are several reasons for this, mainly because I often use random magic item tables rather than selecting items to match the characters. The random tables typically only exist in the core book. And it becomes very hard when the magic items are split among many sources, with only a few in each book.
Just like music, painting, or dance, magic is a medium through which individuals can express themselves and convey emotions. It requires practice, dedication, and a deep understanding of human psychology. As such, magic can be seen as a unique art form that combines technical proficiency with showmanship. Furthermore, magic can be a powerful form of storytelling. Many magicians incorporate narratives into their performances, using tricks and illusions to tell a compelling tale. This adds an additional layer of depth to the magic, as it creates a narrative structure and emotional connection with the audience. Through storytelling, magic can convey messages, explore themes, and provoke thought, making it a thought-provoking and engaging form of entertainment. Magic also fosters a sense of community and connection. Whether it's a live performance or a shared interest in magic tricks, enthusiasts often come together to share their experiences and knowledge. With the rise of social media and online platforms, magicians and magic enthusiasts can connect with others from around the world, forming a global community bonded by their love for magic. This sense of community provides a space for individuals to learn, grow, and collaborate, further enriching the value of magic. In conclusion, the value of magic extends beyond mere entertainment. It ignites wonder and awe, provides a medium for artistic expression, tells compelling stories, and fosters a sense of community. As long as humans continue to aspire for the extraordinary and seek to challenge the boundaries of reality, magic will undoubtedly hold its value..
Reviews for "The Impact of Magic on Memory and Recall"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Vault of Magic" as I had heard great things about it, but I was truly disappointed. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The characters felt one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to connect with the story. Overall, "Vault of Magic" failed to live up to the hype and left me feeling underwhelmed.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I have to say, "Vault of Magic" was a complete waste of my time. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story seemed to drag on without any purpose. The world-building was shallow, and I was left with several unanswered questions by the end. The dialogue felt unnatural and forced, making it hard to invest in the interactions between the characters. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging fantasy read.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Vault of Magic," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot lacked depth and struggled to hold my interest. The characters, while they had potential, were not well-developed, and I found it difficult to connect with them. The magic system in the book was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me confused about the rules and limitations. Overall, "Vault of Magic" did not deliver the captivating and immersive experience I was expecting from the genre.