Distort Value: Have I Got a Deal for You!
Usable By: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Spell Level: 1
School: Illusion
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Duration: 8 hours
Components: V
You cast this spell on an object no more than 1 foot on a side, doubling the object's perceived value by adding illusionary flourish or reducing its perceived value by half with the help of illusionary dents and scratches. Anyone examining the object must roll an Investigation check against your spell DC.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a higher spell slot, you increase the size of the object by 1 foot per spell slot over 1st.
Review by Sam West, Twitter:@CrierKobold
There is a serious lack of nifty illusion and enchantment magic out there that interact with the mundane. Distort Value is a perfect example of such an effect and while it’s pretty unimpressive, I’m so glad it exists.
Distort Value is the kind of spell that builds a character a reputation. When you come into town and are looking to sell off the pilfered swords and booty you’ve picked up adventuring, you might consider “Hey, what if we embellished them a bit, you know? Just up-sell these a little, make some extra coin!” You cast a Distort Value, pawn off the necklace for twice what it's worth, and scurry out of town without thinking twice about it. A month or two passes; without having been back, it would seem there aren't any consequences for your actions, but now you have to return to town. When you do, wouldn’t it be surprising to see posters with “Don’t deal with this man!” plastered on every sign post, townsfolk glaring and refusing to deal with you? Now it's up to you to figure out how to mend these relationships, and either swindle them again, or repair the trust you’ve broken.
That’s the kind of world Distort Value helps build. It is a clean little spell that offers players the tools to be conmen. This isn’t a spell that is going to warp combat, nor offer a robust amount of utility when exploring the world. But when it comes to defining what your character feels like to play, and how the world around them interacts, Distort Value is a homerun.
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