Gnomish Inventions for 
Campaigns
I'm suspect I'm the only Dungeon Master ™ who ever actually used
the gnomish invention rules from DragonLance Adventures. I'm
old-fashioned like that; I think using structured rules for unusual
situations helps avoid sloppy thinking and rushed decision making. Also, I
just like experimenting with new rules, even if I'm never going to use
them.
In fact, all the inventions listed below (execept for the Gnomish Helm,
which is strictly theoretical) appeared in my Spelljammer campaign, even
if they weren't all used by PCs. Some of them are pretty complex, and will
only work if built by high-level tinkers and/or a commitee. In my
campaign, that commitee was the crew of the gnomoi Sidewheeler
Herewego.
Gizmos for Spacefarers
These first three inventions represent devices that any spacefaring
tinker gnome would find useful, so they've probably been independently
invented several times over.
Gnomish Helm
| Type | Effect | Complex. | Modif. | Total
|
|---|
| Move Horiz | Spelljam | 18.5 | - | 18.5
|
| Final Modifiers | Number | Size | Complex.
|
|---|
| Highest Complexity | 18.5 | 18.5 | 18.5
|
| Resizing | -- | -9.0 | +9.0
|
| Totals | 18.5 | 9.5 | 27.5
|
A true gnomish helm (i.e. one that doesn't need a spellcaster to power
it) is perhaps the most complex object ever attempted by the gnomes, which
is probably why they've never gotten one to work. They keep trying,
however, certain that if the Arcane can do it, they can.
(How complex is it? An 18th level tinker (the maximum level allowed in
DragonLance Adventures) working alone on a gnomish helm would
result in a "gnomish helm -9.5". Therefore, result on the Gnomish
Invention Results Table will never be better than
"Unpredictable". A lucky committee might eliminate the penalty,
but it's unlikely. In my campaign, few gnomish ships have even that level
of functionality.)
Gnomish helms are size 9.5, or 50 cubic feet. Because the Arcane
control the helm market, gnomes must sell their helms at a loss (50,000
gpv). Once the gnomish helms are perfected (which will, of course, mean
they're better than all other helms) the gnomes believe they'll be able
to set their own prices.
Skypack
| Type | Effect | Complex. | Modif. | Total
|
|---|
| Move Horiz | 17 mph | 3 | -4 | -1
|
| Move Larger | size 8 | 11 | - | 11
|
| Final Modifiers | Number | Size | Complex.
|
|---|
| Highest Complexity | 11 | 11 | 11
|
| Additional Effect | 1 | -- | +1
|
| Resizing | -- | -6 | +6
|
| Totals | 12 | 5 | 18
|
A gnomish replacement for the elven gadabout, this steam-powered
backpack is both smaller and easier to maintain, but dangerous in the
Flow. Very useful for escaping doomed ships (within crystal spheres,
anyway), but a steep investment at 149,310 gpv.
Voidsuit
| Type | Effect | Complex. | Modif. | Total
|
|---|
| Temperature | +50 deg | 6 | -- | 6
|
| Environment | Vaccuum | 12 | +6 | 12
|
| Light | Candlelight | 4 | -- | 4
|
| Final Modifiers | Number | Size | Complex.
|
|---|
| Highest Complexity | 18 | 18 | 18
|
| Additional Effects | 2 | -- | +2
|
| Resizing | -- | -12 | +12
|
| Totals | 19 | 6 | 31
|
This is the improved version of the Refined Personal Heating Apparatus
Mark III (which a Complexity 6 Device, and did not provide Environment or
Light), pictured on page 89 of the Concordance of Arcane
Space. (This version actually provides more protection
than necessary -- the vaccuum of wildspace isn't as severe as real-world
space.) Like most gnomish space equipment, done by committee.
Gizmos for Wizards
During my campaign, a PC wizard (and his cat) spent some time on the
Herewego as acting helmsman. ("Just until we get the spare
parts for the gnomish helm, you know." was what the gnomes said.)
These next three inventions were invented by the crew to help the wizard
out.
Mageflapper
| Type | Effect | Complex. | Modif. | Total
|
|---|
| Protection | 20d6 | 12 | - | 12
|
| Final Modifiers | Number | Size | Complex.
|
|---|
| Highest Complexity | 12 | 12 | 12
|
| Resizing | -- | -10 | +10
|
| Totals | 12 | 2 | 22
|
This 3-foot long cylinder hangs on a shoulder strap and has two handles
on one side. When a falling character holds the mageflapper over his head
and pushes the trigger (which is labeled "Press here in case of fall from
long height" in gnomish), collapsable wings pop out the ends of the
cylinder. The wings extend to 10 feet in length, and flap furiously,
slowing a character's fall to non-damaging speeds.
This device was created as a gnomish replacement for the
featherfall spell.
Magewriter
| Type | Effect | Complex. | Modif. | Total
|
|---|
| Alter Object | Paper to Book | 1 | - | 1
|
| Information | Calculations | 12 | - | 12
|
| Light | Lamplight | 5 | - | 5
|
| Final Modifiers | Number | Size | Complex.
|
|---|
| Highest Complexity | 12 | 12 | 12
|
| Additional Effects | 1 | -- | +1
|
| Resizing | -- | -- | --
|
| Totals | 13 | 12 | 13
|
Currently filling most of the Herewegos's cargo hold, this device
is designed to help mages write and put together their spell books faster
by helping with mathemagical calculations. The tinker gnomes originally
built it to help a PC wizard who lost his original spell book, but are
currently perfecting it for the benefit of their illusionist cousins.
The magewriter produces the Spellbooks described below.
Spellbook, Improved
| Type | Effect | Complex. | Modif. | Total
|
|---|
| Light | Lamplight | 5 | - | 5
|
| Move Horiz | Turn pages | 1 | - | 1
|
| Temperature | Cools/Dries | 5 | - | 5
|
| Final Modifiers | Number | Size | Complex.
|
|---|
| Highest Complexity | 5 | 5 | 5
|
| Additional Effects | 2 | - | +2
|
| Resizing | -- | +1 | -1
|
| Totals | 7 | 6 | 6
|
Produced by a wizard using a magewriter, this oversized "book"
is mounted on a wheeled pedestal (about two feet high), and includes a
built-in lamp, Page Progression Prosthetic (a robot arm that turns the
pages), and a ventilation unit that makes sure the book is always in a
cool, dry, place (which will prevent bookworm eggs from hatching, but won't
stop a live bookworm). It hold the same number of spells as a standard
spell book.
Gizmos for...Housecats
The tinker gnomes of Herewego developed quite an attachment for
the PC Wizard's cat. These are some of the parting gifts they gave it.
(The guy playing the wizard thought they were funny, but the other players
seemed rather annoyed. From where I sit, that means all these gadgets
worked perfectly.)
Clarioncollar
| Type | Effect | Complex. | Modif. | Total
|
|---|
| Communication | Recorded Sound | 9 | - | 9
|
| Final Modifiers | Number | Size | Complex.
|
|---|
| Highest Complexity | 9 | 9 | 9
|
| Resizing | -- | -7 | +7
|
| Totals | 9 | 2 | 16
|
A collar for wizards' cats, to prevent them from eating other wizards'
familiars. Whenever the cat comes within 10 feet of smaller animal, the
oversized collar yells "Run away little birdie!" in gnomish.
Felincilities
| Type | Effect | Complex. | Modif. | Total
|
|---|
| Odor | Unstink | 5 | - | 5
|
| Final Modifiers | Number | Size | Complex.
|
|---|
| Highest Complexity | 5 | 5 | 5
|
| Resizing | -- | +1 | -1
|
| Totals | 5 | 6 | 4
|
An odorless litter box that actually works pretty well.
Groomatic
| Type | Effect | Complex. | Modif. | Total
|
|---|
| Alter Object | Cleans | 3 | - | 3
|
| Final Modifiers | Number | Size | Complex.
|
|---|
| Highest Complexity | 3 | 3 | 3
|
| Resizing | -- | - | -
|
| Totals | 3 | 3 | 3
|
A small machines that helps a cat groom itself. Also works well.
Automouse
| Type | Effect | Complex. | Modif. | Total
|
|---|
| Move Horiz. | 15"/round | 4 | - | 4
|
| Sound | squeaks | 2 | - | 2
|
| Temperature | +50 degrees | 6 | - | 6
|
| Final Modifiers | Number | Size | Complex.
|
|---|
| Highest Complexity | 6 | 6 | 6
|
| Additional Effects | 2 | -- | +2
|
| Resizing | -- | -5 | +5
|
| Totals | 8 | 1 | 13
|
A life-like wind-up mouse for cats to play with; even had body
temperature. Occasionally starts fires and steals cheese, won't stop
running unless caught.
