Secrets of the Moon Letter Runes...

I need some ideas and imput. My PC's have just found ancient manuscripts for forging high quality Dwarvish and Elvish Arms and Armor. Now our Craftsman has instructional lore to smith high quality works at her next opportunity.

Whats great about these manuscripts is that they contain secret Moon Letters that will be revealed. When the Moon Letters are revealed they will give instructional lore on how to craft certain "magical" or more powerful items. Lastly, when additional Moon Letters are revealed, they will contain information on how to forge Lesser Rings of Power, ( not as powerful as the 7,9, or 3).

What I'm asking for is suggestions and ideas for what the magical or more powerful items could be and how to balance out their properties. Our craftsman is only at advancement 1 but will probably be at 4 or 5 by the time the Moon Letters are revealed. Does anybody have experience with crafting magical items while keeping it feeling like Tolkien? Any feedback would be welcome!:)

Remember that 'magical' does not mean uber-powerfull end-all solution. And that Tolkien-style usually means that each magical item is custom-made and unique.

If the Moon Letter runes are of Elvish nature, then the powers will most likely be of 'preserving' or 'enhancement' of natural or simple items. 'Destructive' items or abilities are an 'un-Elvish' motive (as far as I can recall, I don't ever remember the Elves making a 'destructive' item (not withstanding Orc Bane swords, etc.))

If the runes are of Dwarvish nature, then you would be more open in their design. Dwarves, as a general rule, are more pragmatic and direct than Elves. Their items would serve to better their works, quicken their works, strenghten their works, etc. Dwarves have never (in Tolkien) gone for overly 'magical' items (except the Toys of Dale, mentioned in FOTR Chap 1.).

Also remember: Lesser Rings of Power untainted by Sauron (like the 9 and 7) would not confer invisibility, but would most certainly prolong life (they were all designed to preserve the world). Their powers would not be D&D style, but more subtle, and creative.

Hrm....could even do the Moon Letters with the phase of the Moon or with different Lat/Long or Alignment of stars & planets so that X, Y, and Z Moon Letters/Instructions are revealed at different times and still be plausible ("Well, I could read the first set of instructions, why couldn't I read the other bit?!")

As for making magical items. I've had a Mage for ~10 years now who makes magical items along with another "rival". Each time that we make an item, it is specifically for Character X, Y, or Z. Lower level gear could be for everyone, but normally the Epic Level or near Epic Level gear is all "personalized".

I normally put it a "twist". "All the power in the universe, itty bitty living space!" Sure, they now have a +8/+8 Scimitar forged by Vulcan, but outside of Olympus it's "only" +3/+3 (my original DM put that into effect, I carried over the tradition). My Plate de Tarasque (spelling?) armor will drive non-Chaotic Evil characters insane - stuff like that.

But, if you're just going for subtle effects, I think that a personalized touch would be a very nice touch indeed. Perhaps she could forge gauntlets that boost Armed Combat by +1, but reduce Ranged combat by +1 (ever try to draw a bow with a gauntlet on?!). Bracelet of Grace (Nimbleness in LotR/Dex in DnD) of +1 to Nimbleness checks when not in combat (for a Rouge/Ranger type character set). Just some stuff that I would put out there to characters if I were the DM.

Good luck - I like the idea!!!