View source for ArtifactCreationTelgar

= Artifact Creation = 
* by [[Telgar]]

I write a lot of [[Artifacts]] but each and every system created by White Wolf for creating them has failed spectacularly in my opinion. They base their systems for creation of [[Artifacts]] upon a point-value system where each dot of [[Artifact]] equates into a certain number of points to be spread amongst a variety of choices such as Game Impact or Power Level or Stats. I think that's fine for weapons and armor when writing the basic stat line. But the actual powers of the [[Artifacts]] as I feel simply don't work out well when reduced to point values and dots. 

It's been my experience that using point-based [[Artifact]] creation systems simply encourages people using them to tack Charms onto their items, or Hearthstone powers or Spells or anything else with a set value, in other words: things that already exist. It involves no actual creation, simply arranging already existing powers in a new way. Mix-n-match [[Artifacts]], which is not what I think is the way Artifacts should be made.

I won't set out here to tell people how to create their own [[Artifacts]] step by step, but I will give an overview of the process I use to create [[Artifacts/Telgar|my own Artifacts]] and the general way that I evaluate the power and impact of an item on your average game as well as how I go about creating new powers for [[Artifacts]]

== Creating Artifacts == 

When creating Artifacts it's important to think of it a lot like creating a character. The Artifact must have an underlying concept. It doesn't need a detailed history or appearance, though that will help make it fuller and more fleshy. However an Artifact does need a personality and a life of its own. No, they're not as cool as characters, but they're not toys either. Well. They might BE toys but they shouldn't be treated like them. Artifacts are created for a specific purpose. To do something or to help someone be better at what they do. To answer some need. As an Artifact Writer you have to address that. Decide what the need is, what the concept is. What are you trying to write here?

Without addressing the literary merits or flaws of the following sources, lets look at some really great examples of Artifacts from various media. 

From Robin McKinley's '''The Blue Sword''' and '''The Hero and the Crown''' comes the Blue Sword, Gonturan. She wasn't intelligent, exactly, but she could give visions of the future to her wearer. She enhanced their own natural magical ability to great levels. She could cut through spells and enchantments and destroy objects touched by dark magic. She would even refuse to be worn by a full-grown man, betraying him if he tried to use her. She's probably either a level 5 or a level N/A weapon because she's a plot device, but she has a lot of character. She reads, without taking anything away from the main characters of the book, like a person. She's memorable. 

A more low-key Artifact comes from a variety of Japanese anime but most specifically to my mind, Ronin Warriors or Inuyasha. The six-ringed monk's staff that jingles to drive away evil spirits. A weapon with a statline, but also the ability to warn about evil and to drive it away or harm it. This is a far simpler Artifact then Gonturan, probably rating between 3 and 4 depending on how strong its anti-spirit powers are designed to be. Miroku's staff is probably a 3 where as the Ancient One's staff is likely a 4. Neither has significant plot impact, but they're both useful tools.

It doesn't really matter if your Artifact is a level 1 trinket or a level 5 world-smasher. It has to have a concept, a solid idea behind it and a reason for being. When creating an item's appearance and powers you have to be able to say "what does it need to accomplish its purpose? What suits this thing? Would that be out of place or just add to the functionality in a new way?" That takes personality. Think hard before ever writing down a single power or stat. Do some brainstorming. Create a story in which the Artifact could be used. Summon up a vision of it in action in your mind.

=== Determining Artifact Levels ===

=== Creating Artifact Powers ===


== Comments ==

I just want to say that I look forward to seeing how this turns out. It will be intresting. - [[Azurelight]] 

Same here, although I often think Telgar's artifacts are slightly above the canon powerscale (not necessarily a bad thing, considering how naff the corebook puts artifact 1 at.) <Br> -- [[Darloth]]

I Like the intro a lot. Especially the first part. All in it has merits Even though we have slightly diffrent approaches, having point based system is not mutually exclusive. I humbly admitt that my need for it comes from my in ability to approach anything in a non-scietific fashion.

About the cannon artefacts. I susprct a bit of their problems comes from the fact that some people treat the artefact rating as a linear scale, which it is not. However, studies have proven that thinking non-linear when scaling is counter intuitive to most westerners at leaste...so...yeah. I think telgars power level is Just on the spot.   - [[Azurelight]]