Q252 Can someone please explain how to use Elemental binding as a cost reducer. Preferably with sources listed. I've read about it, but I'm still pretty lost. If it matters, it's for an artificer build with elemental binding and magical artisan: elemental binding along with extraordinary artisan and legendary artisan. I'm still creating the character(lvl 20) so if it doesn't work, I'll just change the feats. Thanks
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1) Take the Bind Elemental feat (Eberron Campaign Setting 51); requires Craft Wondrous and CL 9
2) Acquire a Khyber dragonshard to imbed in the magic item being crafted; using a smaller dragonshard to bind a larger elemental increases the difficulty (see table on Magic of Eberron 13)
3) One crafter casts (or emulates as described in the Bind Elemental feat) Planar Binding (or Lesser or Greater depending on the HD of the elemental to be bound); a second crafter performs the actual binding, and makes the Charisma checks. This is similar to a normal Planar Binding, but the Charisma check represents "able to stuff the elemental into the shard" rather than a negotiation.
4) Reduce the base price by 5% for each size category of the bound elemental above Medium.
If you want a 10% price reduction, cast Greater Planar Binding to compel a Huge elemental of the appropriate type to enter a Khyber dragonshard. A 4" dragonshard is sufficient to use the given DC, while a smaller one increases the difficulty of the binding Charisma check.
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I've seen on the boards where it was said they do reduce it, but no one ever explained it. All I have found on them is what they do, ECS pg 265-267, and that you need the feat in order to use them for these items.
Most likely someone saw it in a Dragon mag or in one of those annoying side bars that aren't indexed or listed in one of the eberron books. So I'll second the want for seeing a good answer to this question.
The cost reduction part is in Magic of Eberron, starting on page 11. Seconding the wish that WotC were better at indexing their material. Players' Guide to Eberron, for instance, has a wealth of feats and prestige classes organized by region or affiliation instead of actually putting the game mechanics all in one place and labeling it.