[WoeTheSinner]

OK here is how I see this item.

Lute Cost 100gp
Competence Bonus +5 = (5^2)*100= 2500gp
Command word lvl 0 (therefore 1/2)x caster level 1 x 1,800 gp = 900gp * 1.5 = 1350 gp

Total Price 3,950gp 158xp to create. So 3,950+(158x5)=4740gp to buy.

I know the rule Srri is talking about when you have multiple effects on an item. (I believe you multiply the lower ability prices by 1.5 each though, at least acording to the srd. I will have to go home and check though because the *2 sounds more like what I remember but right now all I have to go by is the srd) And technicaly speaking he is correct. The item is doing 2 things.

1) Its playing itself

2) Its giving you a +5 bonus


Though it is over 4000gp to buy I was ambiguous on whether the 4000gp limit was to create or to buy and it was a useful item regardless, so I still award the prize to construct.

BTW this kind of discussion is exactly what these contests are suposed to nurture. Now we all learn something, even the people just reading Lets just keep it civil and all will be well

[Rintaran]

Well, going by 3.0 rules (if anyone wants to send me the new 3.5 PHB, I'll gladly accept the donation ), this is my calculation.

The Item Description:

Quote

Lute of Dancing Strings, minor wonderous item

On command word, this well-tuned magical lute plays by itself. It randomly plays one of four songs (supposedly the only songs its creator knew) at requested volume and tempo. Any of the four songs can be suitably applied to accompany a number of other Performances, including (but not limited to) dance, drums, poetry, storytelling, song, weapon drill, and other musical instrutments. When used in this manner the Lute of Dancing Strings adds a +5 competence bonus to the user's Perform check.

These are the powers of the item:

Prestidigitation
+5 competance bonus to Perform


Now, looking at prices:

Masterwork Lute 100 gp
Skill Bonus (not ability bonus) Bonus squared * 20 gp = 25*20= 500 gp
Command Word (used to activate spell) Spell level x caster level x 1800 = (1 x (caster level) x 1800)/2
No Space Limitation Base Price x 2

Now, taking into account the need for craft wondrous item, which has a lvl 3 prereq. We get:

(100 (mstwk lute) + 500 (skill bonus) + 2700 (command word) )x 2 = 6600 gp

Here's a copy of the appropriate lines from the 3.0 PHB, Table 8-40, pg 242.

Effect                             Base Price                        Example

Skill bonus                 Bonus Squared * 20 gp                    Ring of Climbing
Command Word       Spell level x caster level x 1800 gp              Cape of the mountebank

Effect                         Base Price Adjustment                 Example

No space limitation*     Multiply entire cost by 2                   Ioun Stone

Spell Level:  A 0-level spell is half the value of a 1st level spell for determining price.
*See Limit on Magic Items Worn, page 176. Basically, an item that does not take up one of these limited spaces costs double

[WoeTheSinner]

Quote

No Space Limitation Base Price x 2

Bah can't believe I forgot that. You dont play the lute....you can put it down!

in 3.5 its (skill bonus^2) * 100
3.5 SRD Item Creation Page

Now my question is this. If you are a lvl 3 caster can you create an item but only use the lvl 1 caster version of a spell? I think you can. What do you guys think?

[Rintaran]

No. You can't. All spells are cast at your caster level. That's the whole point. And you'll note that the price is actually the minimum. If the enchanter of the lute were a higher level, then the price would increase.

Actually, scratch that. All spells whose effects increase as you gain levels (in range, damage, etc) is automatically cast at your caster level. Spells that aren't, can be considered either a) the required minimum caster level for casting the spell; or the level at which the caster obtained the appropriate craft magic item feat, whichever is higher. I think this sounds like a reasonable rule.

I could look and see if there's any documentation on it, but I just don't have the time at the moment. Busy busy busy.

---

So the price of this lute then skyrockets up into:

(100 (mstwk lute) + (25*100=2500) (skill bonus) + 2700 (command word) )x 2 = 10600 gp? Wow. I think that doesn't fit the requirements for the contest at all.

[Ssri-Tel-Quessir Hitokiri]

Actually, I always thought that when creating an item, you always cast the spell as if it were at its lowest caster level unless you specifically increase it.