Gnomish Inventions for SPELLJAMMER ® 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 committee 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 vacuum 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), collapsible 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 holds 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.