V9: Magic Items

This page is part of the Official Amtgard V9 Alpha-Playtest Rulebook.

• The Amtwiki is the official home and primary source for Amtgard V9 Rules as of February 25, 2023.
• These rules are currently in Open Alpha Playtest. See the Playtest Disclaimer for more details.
• To learn more about Amtgard V9 Development, please visit Amtgard.com.
• To view the current Amtgard V8 ruleset, please see the Amtgard V8 Rulebook.

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Magic Items

Items imbued with magic are a common part of fantasy stories. In Amtgard, magic items can be acquired in a variety of ways and will offer boons to the user beyond what they might normally have access to from their chosen class alone.

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General Rules

Using Magic Items

1. The Game Organizer determines which Magic Items, if any, are allowed in their activities. They may also impose additional restrictions as they see fit, such as a limited number of items per player.


2. The effects of a magic item must be clearly defined when the item is bestowed to a player.
   • If the magic item is not described in this rulebook, the user must carry a copy of their item’s abilities and effects during any activity they wish to use the item.
   
   
3. Abilities and effects granted by magic items behave as they would if the player had those abilities or effects naturally, except where noted below:
   • Item-granted abilities cannot be modified or restored by archetypes. For example, a magic item that grants Shake It Off 2/Refresh cannot be restored by the Guardian or Juggernaut archetypes.
   • If a class already has access to an ability granted by a magic item, the item-granted version does not share any symbols or tags, such as ⬗ or 🛡️. For example, a Warrior using an item that grants Safeguard 2/Refresh would need a free hand to cast it since this version does not have ⬗.
   
   
4. Players must carry a physical representation (aka "Phys-Rep") of their Magic Item(s) in order to benefit from it.
   • The Phys-Rep requirements for an item must be clearly defined when the item is bestowed to a player.
   • Phys-Reps are equipment and must adhere to the Universal Equipment Requirements.
   • Phys-Reps must be a unique item and cannot simultaneously be a weapon, shield, or any other type of equipment unless specifically required by the item itself, such as the Sword of Flame which is a magic sword.
   • The Phys-Rep of a magic item is a Material Component for any abilities or effects it grants. It must be visibly carried in some fashion while casting its abilities or using the effects. If the player has access to the same abilities or effects by another method, the magic item is not required to use those versions.
   • Multiple copies of the same magic item (such as potions) may all be represented by the same Phys-Rep. For example, three Potions of Healing can be represented by a single red potion bottle, but you would need a different bottle to represent a Potion of Mend.
   • Phys-Rep requirements are not reserved visuals. Players may carry or wear non-magical items and accessories that look visually similar to magic items as long as it is not being used to derive a gameplay advantage.

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Duration of Ownership

Each Magic Item is only useable for a specified period of time.

• The duration of ownership for a Magic Item must be clearly defined when the item is bestowed.
• When the duration has elapsed, the Magic Item can no longer be used. If a Phys-Reps was presented with the item, it should be returned to the authority that bestowed it.
• Magic Items without a specified ownership duration will automatically expire in six (6) months from when they are bestowed.
• Ownership of Magic Items may be rescinded by the authority that bestowed them at any time.
• Magic Items can only be used by their owners and cannot be transferred or traded without permission from specific individuals:
  • A Game Organizer can grant permission for players to temporarily transfer magic items during their games; however, these transfers are reverted at the end of each activity. Permanent transfers require permission from the original authority who bestowed the item.

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Acquiring Magic Items

There are three standard methods to acquire/distribute Magic Items:

1. Garb Bonus Curios: The garb bonus allows eligible players to select a magic item from the list of Garb Bonus Curios.
   • These items do not persist beyond the individual activity where the bonus was awarded.
   • Each player may only carry and use a single Magic Item acquired through the Garb Bonus.
   
   
2. Officers: All Kingdom and Park officers can create and/or distribute Magic Items unless otherwise indicated by their Kingdom’s Corpora or similar document.
   • The ownership duration for items awarded this way cannot be longer than the awarding officer’s reign.
   • The awarding officer and their peers are responsible for tracking which of these magic items are owned by whom.
   • Magic Items bestowed by park officers only function within the park they were awarded. Likewise, magic items awarded by Kingdom officers only function within the parks of that Kingdom.
   
   
3. Game Organizers: Game Organizers may create and/or distribute Magic Items for use during their own activities.
   • These items only function during activities run by the associated organizer.
   • By default, these items do not persist beyond the individual activity where they were bestowed, however an organizer may choose to extend their duration across multiple activities they are organizing. This is commonly used to enable a form of loot/reward system for connected activities such as a roleplay storyline. In these cases, the awarding organizer(s) are responsible for tracking which magic items are owned by whom.

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Types of Magic Items

Magic Items are classified into one of three types: Trinkets, Talismans, and Relics.

1. Trinkets are simple magic items that are not overly powerful and can be safely used in most battlegames.
   • Examples include: a Potion of Healing, a Scroll of Mend, a Wand of Release, etc.
   • Additional examples are presented here as Garb Bonus Curios.
   
   
2. Talismans are mid-power magic items with meaningful effects that may require consideration before being allowed in some activities.
   • Examples include: a Potion of Revitalization, a Scroll of Barkskin, a Wand of Fear, etc.
   • Additional examples are presented here as Talismans of Renown.
   
   
3. Relics are powerful magic items that require careful consideration before being allowed into any activity.
   • Relics are unique unless indicated otherwise. There may only be one of each unique relic awarded per kingdom at a time.
     • If a relic is bestowed with an alternate name (such as in honor of a community member), the item's uniqueness is still tied to the item it was before being renamed.
       
       
   • Some examples of traditional relics from Amtgard's past are presented here as Relics of Antiquity.

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Creating Magic Items

Check out the Game Organizer Guide to find tips and guidance for creating custom magic items.

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Garb Bonus Curios

The items listed below are trinkets available to those who have earned the Garb Bonus.

Crafting Curio Phys-Reps

The goal of the Garb Bonus Curio is to encourage garb and garb accessories without restricting creative expression. As such:

• The color requirements are primarily aesthetic and not intended to be a visual indicator. They do not need to include the Color Blind Aids.
• There are no size requirements other than the curio being an appropriate item for a fantasy setting.
• Players should create their phys-reps in good faith and not seek a gameplay advantage from their construction or presentation.
• The Game Organizer or associated rules authorities for the activity have final say over what is or is not an acceptable phys-rep for a curio.

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Curio of Aid
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly GREEN or has GREEN as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Release (Any) 2/Refresh.

Curio of Friendship
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly BLUE or has BLUE as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Confidence (Other) 2/Refresh.

Curio of Healing
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly RED or has RED as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Heal (Any) 2/Refresh.

Curio of Hope
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly PURPLE or has PURPLE as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Safeguard (Other) 2/Refresh.

Curio of Mending
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly BROWN or has BROWN as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Mend (Any) 2/Refresh.

Curio of Perseverance
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly WHITE or has WHITE as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Shake It Off 2/Refresh.

Curio of Power
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly YELLOW or has YELLOW as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Innate 2/Refresh.

Profane Curio
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly MAGENTA or has MAGENTA as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Lay Curse 2/Refresh.

Curio of Retrieval
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly ORANGE or has ORANGE as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Reload 2/Refresh.

Sacred Curio
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly AQUAMARINE or has AQUAMARINE as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Renew (Any) 2/Refresh.

Curio of Shadows
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly BLACK or has BLACK as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Pass Without Trace 2/Refresh.

Curio of Spirit
Physical Representation	An appropriate fantasy item or curiosity that is predominantly GRAY or has GRAY as its focal point.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Banish 2/Refresh.

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Talismans of Renown

The talismans listed below are useful items that can be a boon to any quest or adventure.

Developer Note: This section will be filled with more examples after the new abilities are tested and in a more stable position.

The goal is to include example of talismans with the knowledge from V8 that folks may give these items more leeway for approval due to being in the rulebook itself (as opposed to homebrew items). To that end, we want to make sure the examples included here are things that won’t be too broken or disruptive if they come up a lot.

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Relics of Antiquity

The magic items listed below represent relics of Amtgard’s legacy.

Developer Note: This section will be filled with more examples after the new abilities are tested and in a more stable position.

The goal is to include example of relics with the knowledge from V8 that folks may give these items more leeway for approval due to being in the rulebook itself (as opposed to homebrew items). To that end, we want to make sure the examples included here are things that won’t be too broken or disruptive if are used more commonly than completely custom relics.

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The Homestone
Physical Representation	A polished stone sphere.
Magic Item Effect	Bearer may use Reforge (Any) 1/Life ♻10.

The Phase Blade
Physical Representation	A Dagger with a gray or silver cover. Must be distinct in appearance and not easily confused with another weapon on the battlefield.
Magic Item Effect	Strikes from this weapon Ignore Armor, Immunities, and Resistances.

The Phoenix Hammer
Physical Representation	A Short weapon with predominantly displayed phoenix imagery. Must have at least 6" of Super Heavy Padding and be shaped like a hammer. Must be distinct in appearance and not easily confused with another weapon on the battlefield.
Magic Item Effect	Strikes from this weapon are Armor Destroying and Shield Destroying.

The Shield of Reflection
Physical Representation	A Medium Shield with a metallic or reflective cover. Must be distinct in appearance and not easily confused with another shield on the battlefield.
Magic Item Effect	The shield cannot be destroyed by any means. Wielder is immune to engulfing effects that strike the shield. When the immunity is used, the engulfing effect is applied to the attacker instead.

The Staff of Doomsday
Physical Representation	A Magic Staff with ominous runes and grotesque designs.
Magic Item Effect	This weapon is immune to destruction. The bearer gains the ability to cast Doomsday 1/Refresh (see below).
Other Details	DOOMSDAY Available to The bearer of the Staff of Doomsday Type Verbal Range Unlimited Material Components The Staff of Doomsday Prerequisite Caster must hold the Staff of Doomsday above their head with two hands for the entire duration of casting. Incantation "Doomsday 1, Doomsday 2, Doomsday 3…" all the way to "Doomsday 350". This cannot be cast at a rate faster than one "Doomsday" per second. Immediate Effect All players in line of sight of the caster die. Secondary Effect (Status) Players who die to this ability are Severed. Other Details This ability does not need to identify targets. Doomsday cannot be affected by meta-magic.

The Sword of Flame
Physical Representation	A Short weapon with a fiery cover. Must be distinct in appearance and not easily confused with another weapon on the battlefield.
Magic Item Effect	This weapon is immune to destruction. Strikes from this weapon are Armor Breaking and Shield Crushing.

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