The Goblins Fan Forum

SccrD25 wrote:I have a lot of theories about that mad wizard

brnforce wrote:I think that wizard will be a goblin.

gamecreator wrote:I think that wizard is multispecies hydrid.

As long as that wizard isn't a thinly-disguised author avatar, I'll be happy....

There's also the Kilkken, which apparently come from a different dimension, and a whole lot of bizarre and pointlessly powerful artifacts and items, such as the Shield of Wonder, the self-loading crossbow, the exploding leash, the Jade Teapot, Oblivious, color-changing armor, treasure plants, Anymugs, Yumyuck moss...what have I missed?

All of these have in common that they would be tremendously hard to make AND that if you could make them, you'd probably have the skills to make something similar but much more practical. Think how much more useful the Shield would be if it randomly one useful thing instead of what it actually does.

I hope not ALL of those things have the same origin though, it'd be way too contrived.

ForgetsOldName wrote:There's also the Kilkken, which apparently come from a different dimension, and a whole lot of bizarre and pointlessly powerful artifacts and items, such as the Shield of Wonder, the self-loading crossbow, the exploding leash, the Jade Teapot, Oblivious, color-changing armor, treasure plants, Anymugs, Yumyuck moss...what have I missed?

Self-loading crossbow? Where was that?

Midara wrote:Self-loading crossbow? Where was that?

http://www.goblinscomic.com/05312009/

I think that's effect of magical quiver, not crossbow.

gamecreator wrote:I think that's effect of magical quiver, not crossbow.

Inclined to agree!

ForgetsOldName wrote: All of these have in common that they would be tremendously hard to make AND that if you could make them, you'd probably have the skills to make something similar but much more practical. Think how much more useful the Shield would be if it randomly one useful thing instead of what it actually does.

You're assuming that the Shield was designed this way intentionally. Just because someone makes a very powerful item, that doesn't mean they have full control over the process. It's possible that an inexperienced but enthusiastic enchanter tried to cram one too many effects into an enchanted shield and wound up botching all of them in the process. As a result, the shield is extremely powerful, but almost useless.

Although, this is all conjecture because we haven't seen a single magical item being created, if I remember correctly. It's possible that there's an element of balance to the whole process: the more positive effects you imbue an object with, the more negative ones are added as well. The more skillful the enchanter is, or the more reagents he expends, the fewer negative effects are incurred. A +1 word requires a few hundred gold worth of materials to be expended, which is why they're so much more expensive than regular swords...etc.

That's all guessing, though. I don't know much about nothin'.

Liesmith wrote:

ForgetsOldName wrote: All of these have in common that they would be tremendously hard to make AND that if you could make them, you'd probably have the skills to make something similar but much more practical. Think how much more useful the Shield would be if it randomly one useful thing instead of what it actually does.

You're assuming that the Shield was designed this way intentionally. Just because someone makes a very powerful item, that doesn't mean they have full control over the process. It's possible that an inexperienced but enthusiastic enchanter tried to cram one too many effects into an enchanted shield and wound up botching all of them in the process. As a result, the shield is extremely powerful, but almost useless.

Although, this is all conjecture because we haven't seen a single magical item being created, if I remember correctly. It's possible that there's an element of balance to the whole process: the more positive effects you imbue an object with, the more negative ones are added as well. The more skillful the enchanter is, or the more reagents he expends, the fewer negative effects are incurred. A +1 word requires a few hundred gold worth of materials to be expended, which is why they're so much more expensive than regular swords...etc.

That's all guessing, though. I don't know much about nothin'.

I agree with your second hypothesis. For example, the Axe of Prissan (An incredibly powerful weapon) has the balancing factor of a demon being sealed inside, requiring the wielder to do good acts. Otherwise.......boom.

And the regenerating bolts have the balancing factor of said bolts regenerating slowly and being rather fragile, according to Kin, here: http://www.goblinscomic.com/05312009/

so.....yeah, there are definitely balancing factors in place for most of the magical weapons.