Trotter's Wand of Unfair Trade
Day in and day out the library and labs Robert was always about. When questioned of his motions, he explained he was fetching his master's potions, but secretly crafting a wand is what he pained. In the end an ebony wand was made, it would be known later as Trotters Unfair Trade.
Travelling merchants by trade were the Trotters, they travelled far and they travelled wide, Three sons they were and a daughter yet nowhere a home was except the roads side. Home was not one place or prefect, and trade they would in any country or county fair, buying and selling was something every Trotter did perfect, any place or anywhere. Though crooks or criminals they were not, the trotters thought not of tricky trading. Barter little for a lot, dimes for dollars, that was what Trotters did without a second thought. All sales were final and they were never caught.
Robert Trotter was the trickiest trader of the Trotters, and would haggle and barter out of his chores in the family larder, often in exchange for doing classwork in a noble brat's academy. Though knowledgeable Bobby became, a noble he was not in name. Arts and etiquette, numbers and letter as well as languages and lecture, none was Bobby's better. And when opportunity came Robert a magician's apprentice he became!
At the illustrious academy of magic elementary, Trotter - the elder, was not to be undone or made wary. Through the looking-glass, Robert now a Trident he would pass, not a Trotter in name, he would continue his family's tricky trading all the same.
As a student, as he had in young Trident's place before, he excelled, and at the academy he studied even more. Conjuring, casting and Conflagrations, all perfected by young master 'Trident', but to his instructor's surprise the art he mastered was enchantment.
A prized student the magicians apprentice had made, another student; however, had won an accolade, fawned over by professors and his students, and placed on parade. But as he promised to not be undone or outdone, he set out to compete, and as a proud Trotter, he would let himself be beat.
Day in and day out the library and labs Robert was always about. When questioned of his motions, he explained he was fetching his master's potions, but secretly crafting a wand is what he pained. In the end an ebony wand was made, it would be known later as Trotters Unfair Trade.
Many tricks could be done with his new enchanted ebony, his favourite was pulling off his hat to reveal a bunny. The magic was more than a simple cantrip or conjuration, for instead it relied on a tricky teleportation.
Trotter's magic was common enough, for Robert never traded for any complicated stuff. By poking and prodding the rabbit, he'd exchange it for toads, bats, or crows out of habit.
With the wand in hand he would gently poke on one thing, a second tap on a similar object would result in a trade by teleporting. As Robert was an expert tricky trader, it wasn't long before he'd prod an item and trade it for something later.
As Trotter soon discovered, limits on its magic were uncovered. While in sight it must not be, within twenty paces it was quite easy.
There was no bickering but the magic worked on the rule of bartering. Rotten meat could not be traded for a steaming pie, but one could swap a loaf of stale rye.
A simple question of trade was needed, and trade would be done unless objections were pleaded.
He found that speaking to the empty air, worked as well as bartering in any market or fair, as it was only when opposition was offered that the target failed to swap position.
To use the wand one must touch the item one wants, touch an item in your backpack that you want to trade (which is inferior to the item wanted but which must be a item of some use) and ask to trade.If nobody is around the spell will work, if there is someone around the spell will work unless he or she objects.
Therefore the trick is with others to cast the spell whilst engaged in legitimate trade. After the spell is successfully cast you walk away, tap the item you want to trade again with the wand, and it will teleport and the item you want will be in it's place. The item wanted must be within sight and not be within any locked container of any type.
If in a fight you offer to 'trade blows' and the other objects the same principle can apply to wounds (a scratch on your body can be exchanged for a sword cut that your attacker has given you.)
Magical Properties:
This wand is in affect a Theives Wand as it can teleport objects (although not people or animals.) There is no other magic in the wand.
Not Registered Yet? No problem.
Do you want Strolenati super powers? Registering. That's how you get super powers! These are just a couple powers you receive with more to come as you participate.
- Upvote and give XP to encourage useful comments.
- Work on submissions in private or flag them for assistance.
- Earn XP and gain levels that give you more site abilities (super powers).
- You should register. All your friends are doing it!
? Responses (9)
ummm next time do the world, and the site a favor, put the story under 'full item description' only enough to wet our tastebuds, so to speak in the brief version. But down to the point at hand. 3/5 I enjoyed the story, a bit tounge-twisting but well written none the less, and conceptually great item, almost too powerful though. Is there a limit on the size of an object she could swap, like whatsay I try this on say, the museum? only other thing is your wording on how to use item, it took me a bit of time to figure out. But I must admit I see plenty of opportunity to use this against my group.
I edited the item. :)
As for the limit on something, the limit would be something about the size and weight of a large sheild.
I think the presentation is spiff, reminded me of Shel Silversteen, or perhaps a more advanced, and less nonsensical Dr. Seuss. The internal rhyming was fun to read, and I applaud your work. I imagine either it took some time to create this, or you simply have a flare for rhyme. Kudos.
5/5
well Cheka, with the shield limit I love it and I must agree with Scras, well written and fun to read
Hahahah!!! I love the additions Checka!
5/5
It turned out most excellent. Your rhyming is great, and matches the tempo.
As far as trading museams, castles and the like, the GM should use some discretion, although it is doubtful 2 castles would in a 20 pace hike. I see your direction, and I don't think trotter's wand can trade items or animals like elephants, nor could its majick be made to remove ones underwear underneath ones pants. Similarly items held tight, those that are protected or other items intentionally kept from sight, are as immune as objections said. As far as matters of weight or size, the wand was meant not for swapping real-estate, rather pies.
It is reasonable to say that the trade grows in power with barter or contract. Verbal or written deals made result in the magical pact. Likewise the power of the wand should be proportional to the contract.
A wand as it is seen through a bard's eyes. A history told at many taverns... Well done Cheka!
Giving the wand to my players would probably unbalance the game, but giving them the story... priceless. I can already see the greed in their eyes.
All magic items should be detailed and the poetic form adds further to any setting. This tale could be an integral part of local folklore.
Cool idea. Useful while still restrictive. You could build a PC around it, or you could just have someone use it occasionally. Nice tool, and not bad on the delivery. The rhyms seemed a little forced, but it still paces nicely and explains the wand. I like that you play to the trickiness.
Well, this is neat :) Am ambivalent at the poetry, but it is something to this point unique.
I like the item, and it is a true trickster's tool.
Good job!