2.2 Item Creation Expansion: Artifact Boogaloo

Normally, Artifact creation is not even remotely a choice for the player in Pathfinder worlds. This means that every Artifact in the world has to have been created by some unknowingly powerful crafter or deity, or be a relic of times past when more powerful magics were possible, etc. Simply waving this off as "the player characters won't ever be skilled or powerful enough to create items of such magnitude" is valid reasoning, to some extent, but also quite unimaginative.   As such, some guidelines regarding the creation of Artifacts are detailed below.  

Artifacts and Semi-Artifacts:

Artifacts made using this system are split into Artifacts, and Semi-Artifacts (or Lesser Artifacts). Artifacts follow the rules for Artifacts in the Pathfinder 2nd Edition rules (cannot be damaged by normal means, and cannot be modified by normal means) - this means that once you create an Artifact using this system, its form and abilities are set and its Destruction conditions need to be determined.   Semi-Artifacts are items which have been enhanced beyond the normal limitations of items, removing some of the ability to modify or customise them, but gaining extra abilities that otherwise would not be available. These do not follow the usual rules for Artifacts, but instead have their own rules, detailed below.  

Semi-Artifacts:

Semi-Artifacts are harder to destroy than standard items, and as such, gain one of the following abilities upon creation to represent their resilience. These abilities affect only the item, not the wielder.   Resilience Abilities:

• Immunity to nonmagical attacks
• Resistance to physical (except adamantine) equal to its item level
• Treat counteract checks against it as being one degree less successful

Transforming an item into a Semi-Artifact also prevents any later removal of Runes or abilities from the item, though existing Runes or abilities already inscribed on the item can be upgraded as normal, and additional Runes can be added to the item up to its limit.  

Semi-Artifact Creation:

Creating a Semi-Artifact follows the standard rules for inventing and upgrading an item, with the following exceptions:

• A Semi-Artifact must be adapted from an existing item, and each Semi-Artifact must be invented and crafted individually - the formula can only be used once
• All Semi-Artifacts have a rarity of Unique (and thus can only be invented by a character with Legendary proficiency in Crafting, and with the Inventor Feat)
• Semi-Artifacts increase their base invention cost, and total item creation costs by 50%. Include the value of Runes on the item in this cost calculation. Adding new Runes or abilities to the item (or upgrading existing ones) also costs this additional amount
• Turning an item into a Semi-Artifact takes one week of crafting time. For every additional week (not day) of crafting time, you may reduce the cost by an amount appropriate for your level and proficiency in the Income Earned table.
• Semi-Artifacts gain one unique ability, specific to that item, to be discussed with your GM.
• Add one of the Resilience Abilities listed above

  After initial creation, Semi-Artifacts can be amplified twice more. You do not need to invent a formula for these amplifications, simply spend the extra costs associated, and spend one week adding the amplification to the item. Each time you amplify a Semi-Artifact, it:

• Gains an additional Resilience Ability from the list above
• Gains an additional unique ability, specific to that item, to be discussed with your GM.
• Increases its total cost by 25% (for a total of 75% increased total cost after the first additional amplification, and 100% increased total cost after the second additional amplification). As detailed above, you may reduce the cost by an amount appropriate for your level and proficiency in the Income Earned table, for each additional week spent crafting.

 

Artifact Creation:

Fully amplified Semi-Artifacts can be transformed into full Artifacts. To do so:

• You must be 20th level.
• If the item has Fundamental Runes, or an item bonus to Perception or one or more skills, they must be +3 (Item bonus) and Major (Striking or Resilient) before the item can be transformed into an Artifact.
• The Artifact's total cost is equal to its fully-amplified cost x 2
• Spend one month of crafting time, the difference in costs between the Artifact and Semi-Artifact, and any special components deemed necessary by your GM, to perform the transformation. For every additional month of crafting time, you may reduce the cost by an amount appropriate for your level and proficiency in the Income Earned table.

After completing the above steps:

• Remove all Resilience Abilities from the item
• The item gains the Artifact trait, preventing further modifications to it.
• The item gains a Destruction condition (speak with your GM to determine an appropriate condition)
• Increase any Item Bonus provided by the item by 1
• Increase the effect of the item's Semi-Artifact unique abilites, to be discussed with your GM.