Random Magic Items for Knave 2e



I threw together a little subsystem for making random magic items using the tables in Knave 2e. The page numbers referenced are from the final version pushed out on Kickstarter on February 8, 2024. If an updated version is published and the page numbers change, I'll try to remember to come back and update them. In instances where the user is called to reference the Spell Formulae table, the intent is to go through the spell generation process outlined on p. 27 using whichever result is rolled on the Spell Formulae table.

Edit 5/17/24: I've removed staves from the table as they are essentially the same as spell books but you can hit someone with them, which basically just makes them a magic weapon. To replace that entry, Spellbook and Chaos spellbook have been broken into separate entries.

Edit 8/22/24: I've reverted chaos spellbooks to allow a choice for whether to use Spell Formulae or Spells as is written in the Knave 2E manual. A chaos spellbook appeared in the game I'm currently running, and it became quickly apparent after a few high rolls on the d6 that a bespoke spell every day is not really viable for a well paced game session. Allowing the player to decide whether they want to invest the time for a randomly generated spell gives the player some more agency and allows for more expedient play when engaging in activities like traveling or downtime. I'm honestly not sure why I wanted to randomize this in the first place, most likely I was caught up in the flurry of randomizing everything on this table.

Magic Items

Roll 1d10


1. Magic Weapons

Roll on Weapons p. 43

Roll 1d6 on Magic Power Table. Do this X times, X equal to dungeon level


2. Magic Armor

Roll 1d6

  1. Helmet
  2. Gambeson
  3. Mail shirt
  4. Breast plate
  5. Arm plate
  6. Leg plate

Roll 1d6 on Magic Power Table. Do this X times, X equal to dungeon level


3. Magic Shields
Roll 1d6 on Magic Power Table. Do this X times, X equal to dungeon level

4. Wands
Roll 1d4 for number of charges
Roll 1d6, if 6 this is a Chaos Wand, each time a spell would be cast, roll on Spells p. 22. If 4 or 5, roll on Spell Formulae p. 27. If 1-3, roll on Spells p. 22

5. Potions
Roll 1d4+1 for number of potions found
Roll on Potions p. 35 for each potion found

6. Spellbooks
Roll 1d6. If 4-6, roll on Spell Formulae p. 27. If 1-3, roll on Spells p. 22

7. Chaos Spellbook
As explained on p. 21

8. Relics
Roll on Domains and Symbols p. 33

9. Clothing
Roll on Clothing p. 40 and Fabric p. 41
Roll 1d4 on Magic Power Table

10. Wondrous Items
Roll 1d6, if 5 or 6 roll on Treasures p. 42. If 3 or 4 roll on Miscellaneous Items p. 39. If 1 or 2 roll on Tools p. 39.
Roll on Materials p. 42
Roll 1d4 on Magic Power Table

Magic Power Table

1. Spells p. 22

2. Spell Formulae p. 27

3. Potions p. 35

4. Powers p. 65

5. Materials p. 42 and Treasure gets a +1 bonus

6. Elements p. 29 and Treasure gets a +1 bonus

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