Dynamic Item Creation

Variant Rules

An optional replacement for the standard magic item crafting rules. Instead of a single Spellcraft check, crafters navigate a series of challenges representing setbacks and opportunities — gathering exotic ingredients, consulting competing sources, and managing unexpected mystical variables. The entire party can participate; only one creator needs the required item creation feat.

Source: Pathfinder Unchained, Chapter 4. Replaces the standard item creation rules from the Core Rulebook (p. 548) for any item this system is applied to.

How Challenges Work

Every item is bracketed by two fixed challenges — Preparing the Vessel (always first) and Completing the Item (always last). Between these, the GM rolls or chooses a number of random challenges equal to one per 5,000 gp of the item's market price (minimum 1). More challenges increase the chance of unexpected properties — beneficial or otherwise — and make the process costlier on average for less-skilled parties while rewarding highly skilled ones.

Attempting a Challenge

Each challenge presents two tasks. Before rolling, the creators decide whether one creator attempts a single task or two creators each attempt a different task. Creators cannot take 10 or 20, and cannot use aid another on item creation tasks. Some tasks require no check but must be completed before a check-based task is attempted.

The number of tasks attempted and their outcomes determine the result tier:

Tasks Attempted	Outcome	Result Tier
One task	Succeed	Critical Success
One task	Fail	Failure
Both tasks	Succeed at both	Critical Success
	Succeed at one; fail the other by less than 5	Success
	Succeed at one; fail the other by 5 or more	Failure
	Fail both	Critical Failure

Challenge Format

Each challenge has a brief description followed by two sections. Tasks lists the options with short titles and DCs — the GM interprets the specifics to fit the story. Results covers the consequences for each result tier. Only one result tier applies; critical success does not also grant the benefits of a normal success.

Cost & Creation Time

Paying for the Item

The default crafting cost is 85% of the item's market value. Challenges can raise or lower this; a party that critically succeeds on many challenges may bring the cost below 50%. The final cost can never fall below the initial 25% investment — that expenditure cannot be refunded.

Weapons, armor, and items requiring masterwork or ingredient components must be purchased separately before crafting begins. Subtract those costs from the item's market value for cost calculations (but not for determining creation time or number of challenges).

Before the first challenge: pay 25% of market price to purchase initial materials.
At the final challenge: pay the remaining amount, adjusted for any cost modifiers accumulated.
The PCs can abandon an item at any time without paying the remainder, but cannot reuse the materials.

Creation Time

Creation time is the same as the standard rules (Core Rulebook p. 548). The process cannot be accelerated by increasing DCs. Space challenges evenly across the total creation period — for example, four challenges over 10 days means challenges on days 1, 4, 7, and 10. If a challenge adds or removes days, adjust the spacing of remaining challenges accordingly.

Adjustments

Challenges can apply adjustments to the item in four categories. The GM should factor in task DCs when designing custom challenges: lower-DC tasks should at best avoid negative adjustments, while higher-DC tasks may add meaningful benefits.

Cost

Increases or decreases the crafting cost in increments of 5% of final market price. The cost can exceed 100% (more than market price to make). The final cost can never fall below the initial 25% investment.

Time

Adds or subtracts days of remaining work. The total can never fall below 1 day, nor below the number of days already spent. If a reduction would go below that floor, the final challenge is available immediately.

Perks, Quirks & Flaws

Challenges may add a beneficial perk, a neutral-to-double-edged quirk, or a detrimental flaw. The GM rolls these secretly, rerolling duplicates or contradictory results. Detect magic and identify do not reveal them; analyze dweomer does, once the item is complete.

Destruction

A few challenges can destroy the in-progress item on a critical failure, costing the PCs their current investment. These challenges come with especially strong benefits on a critical success, making them high-risk/high-reward.

Base Challenges

These two challenges bookend every item creation. Prepare the Vessel is always first; Complete the Item is always last. The result of Prepare the Vessel sets the base cost and creation time that all subsequent challenges modify.

Prepare the Vessel Always First

You must create or prepare an item to handle the magic you intend to instill within it.

Task	Check
Forge a New Vessel	Craft (item's type) DC 15 + caster level
Mystical Preparations	Spellcraft DC 15 + caster level

Critical Success: Superlative vessel. Base cost 75% of market price; creation time 1 day per 2,000 gp.
Success: Satisfactory vessel. Base cost 85% of market price; creation time 1 day per 1,000 gp.
Failure: Flawed vessel. Base cost 100% of market price; creation time 1 day per 500 gp; add 1 flaw.
Critical Failure: The vessel is destroyed.

Complete the Item Always Last

You put the finishing touches on the item.

Task	Check
Improvise	Use Magic Device DC 15 + caster level
Provide the Requirements	Meet all item prerequisites

Critical Success: Masterful flourish. Reduce the item's cost by 10%.
Success: Item completed.
Failure: The item is destroyed.
Critical Failure: —

Random Challenges

Roll d% for each random challenge slot, or choose one that fits the campaign circumstances. Challenges with a 93–100 result use the class-specific challenge table below.

d%	Challenge
01–04	Aberrant Mutation
05–08	Challenging Construction
09–12	Contradictory Instructions
13–16	Cryptic Cross-Reference
17–20	Distracting Visitor
21–24	Emotion Requirement
25–28	Energy Overload
29–32	Enticing Offer
33–36	Fragile Components
37–40	Historic Stumbling Block
41–44	Illegal Ingredients
45–48	Infested Ingredients
49–52	Ingredients Develop Quasi-Sentience
53–56	Intrusive Spirit
57–60	Ley Line Convergence
61–64	Magical Resonance
65–68	Planar Peculiarity
69–72	Rare Reference
73–76	Reagent Shortage
77–80	Regal Requisite
81–84	Sesquipedalian Elucidation
85–88	Structural Flaw
89–92	Sudden Inspiration
93–100	Class-Specific Challenge

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

Task	Check
Alter Mutation	Spellcraft DC 15 + caster level
Analyze Mutation	Knowledge (dungeoneering) DC 25

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 lesser value. If none exists, item is destroyed; lose 25% of market price and start over.

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

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

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.

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

Task	Check
Discern the Sounder Choice	Knowledge (arcana) DC 15 + caster level
Take a Middle Path	Spellcraft DC 20 + caster level

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.

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

Task	Check
Follow the Footnotes	Linguistics DC 20
Make Something Up	Use Magic Device DC 15 + caster level

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.

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

Task	Check
Ignore the Distraction	Concentration DC 15 + caster level
Send the Visitor Away	Diplomacy or Intimidate DC 20

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.

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

Task	Check
Elicit through Performance	Perform (any) DC 20 + caster level
Manipulate Others	Bluff DC 20 + caster level

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.

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

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

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. All creators take 1d6 points of damage per caster level of the item.

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

Task	Check
Discern True Worth	Sense Motive DC 20
Incorporate Offer	Spellcraft DC 20 + caster level

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

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

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

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 market price and start over.

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

Task	Check
Learn from History	Knowledge (history) DC 25
Solve It Yourself	Spellcraft DC 20 + caster level

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.

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

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

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; the creator who attempted smuggling is arrested and sentenced to jail time, or escapes and is on the run.

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

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

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.

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

Task	Check
Coax Ingredients to Greater Performance	Handle Animal DC 30
Magically Force Ingredients into Order	Spellcraft DC 15 + caster level

Critical Success: Item proceeds normally 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 them.
Failure: Ingredients rebel — escape or sabotage the item. +15% cost, 1 flaw.
Critical Failure: Item proceeds normally but becomes an intelligent item of a contrary alignment, and it hates you.

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

Task	Check
Exorcise Spirit	Knowledge (religion) DC 25
Seek Spirit's Aid	Diplomacy DC 20 + caster level

Critical Success: Spirit's release. –3 days, –5% cost, 1 perk.
Success: No adjustment (exorcised); or –1 day, –5% cost, 1 quirk (sought spirit's aid).
Failure: Spirit's interference. +3 days, +5% cost, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure: Spirit's wrath. Item is cursed.

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

Task	Check
Adjust Accordingly	Knowledge (arcana) DC 20 + caster level
Find the Perfect Spot	Knowledge (geography) DC 25

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.

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

Task	Check
Analyze the Cause	Spellcraft DC 15 + caster level
Follow the Rhythm	Perform (any) DC 15 + caster level

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.

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

Task	Check
Consult a Planar Orrery	Knowledge (planes) DC 25
Secure Outsider's Assistance	Diplomacy DC 20 + caster level

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Task	Check
Exploit Noble Ties	Knowledge (nobility) DC 25
Falsify the Ingredients	Use Magic Device DC 20 + caster level

Critical Success: Regal synergy. 1 perk.
Success: No adjustment (noble ties); or 1 quirk (falsified ingredients).
Failure: Introduced impurities. 1 flaw.
Critical Failure: Impurities and ostracism. +3 days, 1 flaw; the creator who attempted to exploit noble ties is ostracized at court.

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

Task	Check
Consult a Dictionary	Linguistics DC 15 + caster level
Make Up Your Own Big Words	Use Magic Device DC 20 + caster level

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.

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

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

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 market price and start over.

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

Task	Check
Improve the Item	Spellcraft DC 20 + caster level
Improve the Methodology	Knowledge (arcana) DC 20 + caster level

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

Class-Specific Challenges

When a 93–100 is rolled, determine which of the following challenges apply to at least one creator and pick one randomly from among those options. If none apply, choose a fitting challenge from the random table instead (such as Illegal Ingredients for a rogue, or Rare Reference for a wizard).

Challenge	Appropriate Creators
Crisis of Faith	Divine spellcaster with a patron deity
Instability from Within	Spellcaster who draws power from within (oracle, sorcerer)
Natural Disaster	Creator with a connection to nature (druid, ranger)
Natural Wonder	Creator with a connection to nature (druid, ranger)
Otherworldly Aid	Creator connected to outsiders, spirits, a patron, or a curse (infernal sorcerer, oracle, witch)
Otherworldly Interference	Creator connected to outsiders, spirits, a patron, or a curse (infernal sorcerer, oracle, witch)
Personal Surge	Spellcaster who draws power from within (oracle, sorcerer)
Sign from the Gods	Divine spellcaster with a patron deity

During the creation process, you experience ill omens from your patron deity that make you question your very faith.

Task	Check
Persevere	Will DC 20 + caster level
Search for Answers	Knowledge (religion) DC 15 + caster level

Critical Success: Perseverance pays off. 1 perk.
Success: Crisis overcome. No adjustment.
Failure: Shaken faith. +1 day, +5% cost, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure: Patron's ire. +3 days, +10% cost, 1 flaw.

Something within you emerges at an inopportune time and threatens the item's creation.

Task	Check
Account for the Instability	Knowledge (arcana) DC 15 + caster level
Roll with It	Use Magic Device DC 20 + caster level

Critical Success: Instability exploited. –5% cost, 1 quirk.
Success: Instability avoided. No adjustment.
Failure: Erratic item. +5% cost, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure: Unstable item. +5% cost, 1 quirk, 1 flaw.

During a stage of the item's creation in a natural setting, there's an unexpected natural disaster.

Task	Check
Harness the Power	Use Magic Device DC 20 + caster level
Take the Proper Precautions	Survival DC 15 + caster level

Critical Success: Shaped by the disaster's power. –10% cost, 1 quirk, 1 perk.
Success: Danger avoided. 1 quirk (harnessing the power); no adjustment (precautions).
Failure: Damaging disaster. +7 days, +10% cost.
Critical Failure: Disastrous consequences. Item destroyed; lose 25% of market price and start over. All creators take 1d6 damage per caster level of an energy type appropriate to the disaster.

During a stage of the item's creation in a natural setting, a rare wonder of nature reveals itself.

Task	Check
Reflect on the Wonder's Beauty	Craft (item's type) DC 20 + caster level
Show Respect for Nature	Knowledge (nature) DC 20 + caster level

Critical Success: Wondrous boon. –10% cost, 1 perk.
Success: Inspiring wonder. –5% cost, 1 quirk.
Failure: Ephemeral wonder. +1 day, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure: Distracting wonder. +7 days, +5% cost, 1 quirk.

Otherworldly beings are tampering with your item's creation in an attempt to assist you.

Task	Check
Alter Construction Accordingly	Craft (item's type) DC 20 + caster level
Respectfully Redirect Their Efforts	Diplomacy DC 20 + caster level

Critical Success: Incredible aid. –6 days, –10% cost, 1 quirk.
Success: Effective aid. –3 days, –5% cost, 1 quirk.
Failure: Ineffective aid. 1 quirk.
Critical Failure: Disaster. +3 days, +10% cost, 1 quirk, 1 flaw.

Otherworldly beings are meddling with your item's creation, whether from near or afar.

Task	Check
Convince Them to Stop	Diplomacy DC 20 + caster level
Use Protective Measures	Knowledge (religion or planes) DC 20 + caster level

Critical Success: Otherworldly repairs. –3 days, –10% cost, 1 quirk.
Success: Inconsequential interference. No adjustment.
Failure: Unrelenting interference. +5% cost, 1 quirk.
Critical Failure: Severe interference. +3 days, +5% cost, 1 quirk, 1 flaw.

A surge of beneficial power springs up from unknown depths within you.

Task	Check
Embrace the Power	Use Magic Device DC 20 + caster level
Focus the Surge	Spellcraft DC 20 + caster level

Critical Success: Incredible surge. –3 days, –5% cost, 1 perk.
Success: Surging boost. –1 day, –5% cost.
Failure: Squandered surge. 1 quirk.
Critical Failure: Overload. +5% cost, 1 quirk, 1 flaw.

During the creation process, you receive signs that indicate your patron's favor.

Task	Check
Donate to the Faith	Donate 5% of market price or more to the patron's interests
Offer Prayers of Thanks	Knowledge (religion) DC 20 + caster level

Critical Success: Divine intervention. Halve the remaining number of days, 1 perk.
Success: Favor's blessing. 1 perk.
Failure: Ingratitude's comeuppance. 1 flaw.
Critical Failure: —

Perks

Perks are beneficial adjustments, most often gained from critical successes. The strongest perks have the highest numbers on the table. Reroll duplicates and perks that don't fit the item. The GM may also choose an appropriate perk without rolling.

d%	Perk	Restriction
01–04	Lightweight
05–08	Durable
09–12	Impervious
13–16	Energy-Kissed
17–20	Sacred	Divine spellcaster with patron deity
21–24	Faithful	Divine spellcaster with patron deity
25–28	Shielding
29–32	Tentacled Touch	Touch-delivering item (staff, wand)
33–36	Inscribed
37–40	Eager
41–44	Enemy Glow
45–48	Hated Foe	Weapon only
49–52	Skillful
53–56	Exemplar	Weapon, armor, or activated item
57–60	Unassuming
61–64	Lucky
65–68	Draconic
69–72	Mindlinked	Command-word activated item
73–76	Messenger
77–79	Healthful
80–82	Energetic	Weapon only
83–85	Lunar
86–88	Solar
89–91	Potent
92–94	Spying
95–97	Resizing
98–100	Egoistic	Weapon only

The item weighs half as much as normal.

The item has twice as many hit points as it normally would.

The item's hardness is 5 higher than usual.

The item is immune to a random type of energy, but does not grant this immunity to its bearer.

The item glows with the image of its creator's holy or unholy symbol, counting as a holy or unholy symbol for all purposes. If more than one creator qualifies, the creators choose one patron's symbol.

The item's caster level is treated as 1 higher when its effects benefit the faithful of its creator's patron deity, or when used against worshipers of a faith hated by that deity. The item also grants a +1 bonus on damage rolls against those hated worshipers. If more than one creator qualifies, the creators must choose one patron.

This item negates the first magic missile directed at it or its bearer each day. If a caster directs multiple missiles simultaneously, reduce the number that strike the bearer by one.

As the Aberrant quirk (eyes, maws, and tentacles), but the tentacles can extend to deliver any touch effects with an additional 5 feet of reach. This does not increase the weapon reach of a magic weapon.

The bearer can spend a full-round action to inscribe a hidden message up to 25 words on the item's surface. The message remains invisible until the next time a creature holds the item, or until a specific passphrase is spoken. Inscribing a new message erases the previous one.

The item always wants to be worn or held by its owner. The owner can draw an eager weapon or handheld item as a swift action, don eager armor in half the time, and don any other eager item as a swift action — though it takes twice as long to remove eager armor and 1 full round to remove or stow any other eager item. The DC to disarm or steal an eager item increases by 5.

The item glows when a specific type of creature is nearby. Either choose an appropriate type or roll one randomly on the ranger's favored enemy list.

The weapon deals 1 additional point of damage when it hits a specific type of creature. Either choose an appropriate type or roll one randomly on the ranger's favored enemy list.

The item grants a +1 competence bonus on checks with a random skill, determined upon creation.

Exemplar weapons grant a +1 AC bonus against other weapons of that type; armors grant a +1 bonus on attack rolls against enemies wearing that armor type; activated items grant a +1 bonus on saving throws against other items of that exact function.

The item registers as though it were nonmagical, as though affected by a magic aura spell.

Each day, there's a 50% chance the item grants its bearer a +1 luck bonus on a random type of saving throw for that day.

Determine a random type of chromatic or metallic dragon. The item has a sheen in the color of that dragon's scales, and grants its bearer 3 points of energy resistance against the damage type that dragon's breath weapon deals.

The item is linked to the owner, who can command it mentally. The action cost is the same, but activation makes no noise and is purely mental.

Once per week, the item can transform into an animal and deliver a message as the animal messenger spell.

The bearer regains 1 additional hit point from any magical effect that causes her to regain hit points.

The item deals 1 additional point of damage of an energy type randomly determined upon creation. This damage is not multiplied on a critical hit.

While exposed to moonlight, this item causes any enemy adjacent to the bearer to take a –1 penalty on saving throws against sleep and similar effects.

While exposed to sunlight, this item causes an enemy adjacent to the bearer to become dazzled for as long as the two remain adjacent.

The item's caster level is 1 higher than intended.

The item transmits sensory information to its owner as if it were the sensor for a clairaudience/clairvoyance spell. The owner must concentrate (standard action) to receive this; the effect is inert while she isn't concentrating. Determine randomly upon creation whether the item relays visual or auditory information.

This item automatically resizes itself to match the size of its bearer. The size change takes 1 minute.

All of the bearer's feats and class features that affect a specific weapon or weapon group change to affect the egoistic weapon's type or group as long as she possesses it. If the bearer can specify more than one type or group, she chooses which she retains and which switches to the egoistic weapon's type or group.

Quirks

Quirks are oddities that make an item unusual in a way that's generally neither positive nor negative — or a little of both. More beneficial or double-edged quirks have higher numbers on the table. Reroll duplicates and quirks that don't fit the item. The GM may choose an appropriate quirk without rolling.

d%	Quirk	Restriction
01	Flaw — roll on flaw table instead
02–04	Infested
05–08	Unusually Colored
09–12	Color-Altering
13–16	Mood Coloration
17–20	Aberrant
21–24	Decorous	Activated item only
25–28	Dirty
29–32	Junky
33–36	Magnificent
37–40	Verdant
41–44	Noisy
45–48	Bloodthirsty
49–52	Levitating
53–56	Molting
57–60	Soprano
61–64	Bass
65–68	Giant-Eared
69–72	Nose-Enlarging
73–76	Spiritbound
77–80	Racially Attuned
81–84	Loyal
85–87	Wet
88–90	Slimy
91–93	Unpredictable	Activated item only
94–96	Convergent
97–99	Glittering
100	Perk — roll on perk table instead

The item is infested with vermin or other Fine creatures that do not interfere with its operation or harm the bearer.

The item is an odd color for an item of its type, such as a sword that is bright pink.

The color of the bearer's eyes, hair, or skin changes when she carries or wears the item.

The item changes colors to reflect the mood of the bearer. Each item has its own mapping of colors to emotions, but someone with knowledge of the item's quirk and its mapping who can see the color change gains a +2 circumstance bonus on Sense Motive checks against the bearer.

The item has eyes, maws, and tentacles, though this has no additional effect.

The item activates only if the user says "please" and ceases function for 1 hour if the user doesn't thank it afterward.

The item is always covered in dirt or mud, no matter how often it is washed or cleaned.

The item looks extremely old, worn, rusted, or otherwise of low quality, hiding its true power.

The item looks extremely powerful and valuable, even if it isn't.

Leaves, moss, and vines cover the item, and leaves sprout from the targets of the item's effects.

The item makes an odd though not particularly loud noise when in use, such as a mace that squeaks when it's swung.

The item shakes slightly whenever blood is spilled within 20 feet of it.

This item always floats slightly above the ground when laid down, dropped, or otherwise unattended.

Scaled skin covers this item, and the item occasionally sheds the skin and grows a new one.

The bearer's voice rises by an octave.

The bearer's voice deepens an octave.

The item's bearer's ears increase to five times their original length.

The bearer's nose becomes five times longer than usual.

The item's reality is imprinted onto its intended owner (creator's choice), such that the item simply doesn't exist outside of that owner's possession. The item can't be lost or stolen, and it also can't be sold or transferred.

The item's bearer counts as the race of one of the item's creators (determined randomly upon creation) as well as her own.

The item offers a perk (determined randomly upon creation) when used by one of its creators, but it presents a flaw (determined randomly upon creation) for all other users.

The item and bearer are constantly soaking wet. This imposes a –1 penalty on saves against environmental cold, cold effects, and electricity effects, but grants a +1 bonus on saves against environmental heat, fire effects, and catching on fire.

The item is covered in putrid slime, which seeps out to cover the bearer as well. The bearer gains a +5 circumstance bonus on Escape Artist checks, on combat maneuver checks to break grapples, and to CMD against grapples (these bonuses do not stack with grease or similar effects), but takes a –2 penalty on Acrobatics, Disable Device, and Disguise checks, as well as on Diplomacy and Handle Animal checks except against creatures that aren't bothered by putrid slime.

When activating the item, roll 1d6. On a 1 or 2, the DC and caster level of all the item's effects are treated as 1 lower for this activation; on a 3 or 4, there is no adjustment; and on a 5 or 6, the DC and caster level of all the item's effects are treated as 1 higher for this activation. If this puts the item below the minimum caster level for the intended effect, the activation fails but any charge or daily use is still consumed.

The item is connected to another plane, bringing its bearer into telepathic contact with an otherworldly entity. The entity can communicate with the bearer to serve its own ends. Choose an appropriate entity or choose randomly from among outsider subtypes. The entity shouldn't be a being that can cause harm to the bearer through telepathic contact.

The item leaves a trail of glowing, magical motes as it moves. They dissipate after 1 round. This effect can be activated or deactivated with a command word.

Flaws

Flaws are detrimental adjustments, similar to curses but far less damaging or restrictive. Whenever a challenge adds a flaw, roll on the following table. In general, more harmful flaws have higher numbers. Reroll duplicates and flaws that don't fit the item. The GM may choose an appropriate flaw without rolling.

Accumulating Flaws: For each flaw beyond the first, add a cumulative +5 modifier to the d% roll until the item gains a curse (after which the +5 modifiers no longer apply). Even when choosing a flaw rather than rolling, still roll first to determine whether the item gains a curse instead.

d%	Flaw	Restriction
01–04	Heavy
05–08	Fragile
09–12	Vulnerable
13–16	Energy Weakened
17–20	Pungent
21–24	Faerie-Lit
25–28	Singing
29–32	Vindictive	Weapon only
33–36	Anomalous
37–40	Extremely Infested
41–44	Addictive
45–48	Gluttonous
49–52	Slothful
53–56	Hallucinogenic
57–60	Obedient
61–64	Uncivilized
65–68	Allergic
69–72	Zealous	Divine caster with patron deity
73–76	Impotent
77–80	Pacifistic	Weapon only
81–84	Backlashing
85–87	Wrathful
88–90	Proud
91–93	Slippery	Held item only
94–96	Enticing
97–99	Paranoid
100+	Cursed — roll on Table 15–27 (CRB p. 537)

The item weighs twice as much as normal.

The item has half as many hit points as normal.

The item has a hardness that is 5 lower than usual (to a minimum of 0).

The item is particularly vulnerable to one random energy type. That energy type ignores the item's hardness and deals double damage to the item (but not to the item's bearer). Determine the energy type randomly, or choose one thematically tied to the challenge that caused the weakness.

The item emits a foul and obvious odor. No mundane means can remove the stench, which overcomes even magical effects such as negate aroma.

The bearer is constantly surrounded by colorful light, as if affected by a faerie fire spell.

The item constantly sings in a loud belting soprano or tenor. Silence and other such spells can suppress the sound as normal.

When using this weapon, the wielder can only choose to deal lethal damage, not nonlethal damage. If the item can normally deal only nonlethal damage, this flaw overrides that restriction.

The item is instead another random magic item of the same type or slot and the same or similar cost as the intended item.

As the infested quirk, but the vermin or other creatures crawl over the bearer, requiring her to succeed at concentration checks (DC = 15 + the spell's level) to cast spells or use other abilities that require concentration.

The owner does not want to give up the item under any circumstances, and suffers the effects of severe addiction (GameMastery Guide 236) when denied access to the item.

The bearer must gorge upon 10 times as much food as normal or suffer the effects of starvation, ignoring effects that reduce the amount of food required (such as ring of sustenance).

The bearer must rest for 12 hours each day to gain the benefits of a full night's rest, ignoring effects that reduce the amount of sleep needed (such as ring of sustenance). This can affect the bearer's ability to prepare spells or regain spell slots.

The bearer sees and hears mild hallucinations. While readily discernible as such, these hallucinations still impose a –2 penalty on Perception and initiative checks.

The bearer takes a –2 penalty on all Will saves against effects that exercise mental control. This includes all mind-affecting charm or compulsion effects, as well as any effect the GM deems appropriate.

The item doesn't function in any area that would count as urban terrain.

The item is especially sensitive to the presence of a particular type of creature, and ceases all magical functions whenever it is within 30 feet of such a creature. To determine the creature type, roll randomly or choose an appropriate type on the ranger's favored enemy list (CRB p. 64).

The item functions only for worshipers of the creator's patron deity. If more than one creator qualifies, roll randomly between their patron deities.

The item's caster level is 1 lower than intended. If this would cause a wand or staff to fall below the minimum required caster level, reroll this flaw.

When using this weapon, the wielder can only choose to deal nonlethal damage (in most cases imposing a –4 penalty on attack rolls), except against constructs and undead.

When attacking with or activating the item, the user takes 1d6 points of damage from magical energy backlash.

In combat, the bearer's mind is clouded by rage, and she must succeed at a DC 20 Will save to use any ability that can't be used during a barbarian rage. This doesn't allow a barbarian to use those abilities when she is in a rage.

The bearer can't grant or gain any benefit from the aid another action.

The creature holding the item must succeed at a DC 15 Reflex save each round or drop the item.

Others covet the item and seek to possess it. Upon touching or examining the item, any creature that does not possess it must succeed at a DC 20 Will save or covet the item, seeking to gain it by whatever means is most expedient, though it need not do so immediately. After one attempt to gain the item (or a successful save), a creature is immune to this effect for 24 hours.

The bearer no longer trusts anyone and must attempt saving throws against all abilities and spells but her own, even those that are harmless.

The item gains a curse. Roll on Table 15–27 (Core Rulebook p. 537) to determine the curse, or choose an appropriate one.

OGL 1.0a Notice. Pathfinder-derived Open Game Content on this page is used under the Open Game License v1.0a and Section 15 notice.

Dynamic Item Creation

How Challenges Work

Attempting a Challenge

Challenge Format

Cost & Creation Time

Paying for the Item

Creation Time

Adjustments

Base Challenges

Random Challenges

Aberrant Mutation

Challenging Construction

Contradictory Instructions

Cryptic Cross-Reference

Distracting Visitor

Emotion Requirement

Energy Overload

Enticing Offer

Fragile Components

Historic Stumbling Block

Illegal Ingredients

Infested Ingredients

Ingredients Develop Quasi-Sentience

Intrusive Spirit

Ley Line Convergence

Magical Resonance

Planar Peculiarity

Rare Reference

Reagent Shortage

Regal Requisite

Sesquipedalian Elucidation

Structural Flaw

Sudden Inspiration

Class-Specific Challenges

Crisis of Faith

Instability from Within

Natural Disaster

Natural Wonder

Otherworldly Aid

Otherworldly Interference

Personal Surge

Sign from the Gods

Perks

Lightweight

Durable

Impervious

Energy-Kissed

Sacred Divine w/ patron

Faithful Divine w/ patron

Shielding

Tentacled Touch Touch-delivering item

Inscribed

Eager

Enemy Glow

Hated Foe Weapon only

Skillful

Exemplar Weapon, armor, or activated item

Unassuming

Lucky

Draconic

Mindlinked Command-word item

Messenger

Healthful

Energetic Weapon only

Lunar

Solar

Potent

Spying

Resizing

Egoistic Weapon only

Quirks

Infested

Unusually Colored

Color-Altering

Mood Coloration

Aberrant

Decorous Activated item only

Dirty

Junky

Magnificent