The Wiccan name for the autumnal equinox is Mabon. This name derives from Welsh mythology, specifically from the figure Mabon ap Modron. Mabon is seen as the child of the Earth Mother, Modron, and is associated with youth, vitality, and the harvest. In Wiccan tradition, Mabon is celebrated as a time of balance and gratitude, as it marks the halfway point between the summer and winter solstices. During this season, Wiccans give thanks for the abundance of the harvest and prepare for the coming winter months. Rituals and celebrations often involve feasting, giving thanks to the Earth, and connecting with nature.
Rituals and celebrations often involve feasting, giving thanks to the Earth, and connecting with nature. Mabon is a time to honor the cycles of nature and the importance of balance in our lives..
The 8000gp Wand of Magic Missiles
TLDR at bottom, and thanks for indulging me and reading my short story.
So I just started DMing for a group of 3 players, 2 of which have never played before (now a sorcerer and a druid). After a short two-shot (The Eldritch Farm, which was great, thanks to u/phonz1851) I have decided to run Waterdeep: Dragon Heist for this group.
First session of DH, and I am explaining to these brand new players about how Waterdeep is huge, unlike the small village they just helped out, and that there would be opportunities to buy magic items and such. The sorceress asks what kind of magic items are available that would be good for her (I was very proud of this question, they grow up so fast). So I told her that there would be wands that would allow her to cast certain spells, like magic missile (which is one of her known spells), without using a spell slot. She seemed intrigued and asked some passerby NPCs about where she would be able to find a wand shop.
So they guided her to a shop. She enters and asks about buying a Wand of Magic Missiles. I did a quick google to find out the price (I hadn't anticipated this before the session) and the very first hit says that it would be 8000gp. I felt like an idiot telling her that because she had done such a good job of role-playing to that point, only to be told that it was 80x the amount of gold she currently has. I felt like this also made me look like a tool. "Oh yeah, use some time to go buy some cool stuff! Sike! You won't have that much gold for a long time." So, she settled on a broken Wand of Magic Missiles (which the shopkeep just so happened to have) that has 6 charges, but won't regain charges ever, for 70gp.
I did more research later and found out that this price was off of a list that was a "community made" list. The following is a link to a PDF with magic item prices etc. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8XAiXpOfz9cMWt1RTBicmpmUDg/view?usp=sharing
The DM guide on page 135 has the "Magic Item Rarity" table, and it says that uncommon magic items should/can be given to players who are higher than level 1 (which my players are) and should cost between 101-500gp.
So, why in the world would a Wand of Magic Missiles cost so much? I understand that this is an amazing resource for a sorcerer, given how few spells they can learn, and is great for spell slot management. Is it a good magic item for a 2nd level sorcerer? Definitely. Is it 8000gp good? I don't feel like it is. It's not like she is going to be running around one-shotting everything they come across with a 9th level magic missile, and it is a great opportunity to have an enemy spellcaster use shield against her.
I fully understand that there is nothing forcing me use this PDF for magic item prices, and I will likely retcon the whole scenario, I just wanted to gather some ideas as to why such a relatively lowly magic item would cost so much. I would put it closer to the 500gp range.
tldr: why would a Wand of Magic Missiles cost 8000gp (as decided by "the community," which includes this sub), when the DM guide says magic items of that rarity/power should cost between 101-500gp?
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Reviews for "Choosing a Wiccan Name for the Autumnal Equinox: A Journey of Self-Discovery"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Wiccan name for autumnal equinox" as I am interested in Wiccan traditions and rituals. However, I found this book to be disappointing. The author provided very little explanation or context for the rituals and ceremonies mentioned. As a beginner, I was hoping for a more detailed guide on how to celebrate autumnal equinox in a Wiccan context, but this book fell short. Additionally, the writing style seemed disorganized and lacked coherence. Overall, I cannot recommend this book to others looking for a comprehensive and well-written guide on the topic.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Wiccan name for autumnal equinox" was a major letdown for me. I was expecting to find interesting insights into the significance of the autumnal equinox in Wiccan belief systems. However, the content was shallow and lacked substance. The book was filled with vague information and seemed more like a collection of random thoughts than a well-researched guide. I was also disappointed by the poor editing, as the numerous typos and grammatical errors made it difficult to read. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a thoughtful exploration of the Wiccan practices related to the autumnal equinox.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was intrigued by the title of "Wiccan name for autumnal equinox" and was hoping to learn more about this topic. Unfortunately, the book didn't provide the in-depth information I was expecting. The content was repetitive and lacking in detail. It felt more like a blog post than a comprehensive guide. I would have liked to see more historical and cultural context, as well as practical tips for incorporating Wiccan traditions into the autumnal equinox celebrations. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
4. David - 1 star - "Wiccan name for autumnal equinox" failed to live up to my expectations. The book was poorly written, with convoluted sentences and a lack of coherence. The information provided was basic and often repetitive. I was hoping for a deeper exploration of the Wiccan practices related to the autumnal equinox, but this book fell short. Additionally, the numerous spelling and grammatical errors were distracting and unprofessional. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and informative guide on the topic.