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Bag of Holding

Bag Of Holding
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Uncommon

This bag has an interior space considerably larger than its outside dimensions-roughly 2 feet square and 4 feet deep on the inside. The bag can hold up to 500 pounds, not exceeding a volume of 64 cubic feet. The bag weighs 5 pounds, regardless of its contents. Retrieving an item from the bag requires a Utilize action.

If the bag is overloaded, pierced, or torn, it is destroyed, and its contents are scattered in the Astral Plane. If the bag is turned inside out, its contents spill forth unharmed, but the bag must be put right before it can be used again. The bag holds enough air for 10 minutes of breathing, divided by the number of breathing creatures inside.

Placing a Bag of Holding inside an extradimensional space created by a Handy Haversack, Portable Hole, or similar item instantly destroys both items and opens a gate to the Astral Plane. The gate originates where the one item was placed inside the other. Any creature within a 10 -foot-radius Sphere centered on the gate is sucked through it to a random location on the Astral Plane. The gate then closes. The gate is one-way and can't be reopened.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Provides massive storage capacity without encumbrance penalties. Enables carrying extensive equipment, supplies, and loot without affecting mobility or combat effectiveness.

Class Synergies:

  • All Classes: Universal utility that benefits every character type equally
  • Equipment-Heavy Builds: Essential for characters who rely on multiple weapons, tools, or specialized gear
  • Support Characters: Allows carrying extensive medical supplies, crafting materials, and utility items

Build Considerations: Fundamentally changes resource management and equipment strategies. The action cost for retrieval prevents mid-combat equipment swapping.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires rare materials, extradimensional magic expertise, and precise enchantment work. Typically costs 1,500-3,000 gp in materials.

Common Sources:

  • Magical item shops in major cities
  • Rewards from successful adventuring expeditions
  • Inheritance from veteran adventurers
  • Commission from enchanters specializing in extradimensional magic

Alternative Acquisition: Some adventuring guilds provide bags of holding as part of membership benefits or loan them for specific missions.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 3,000-5,000 gp, making it one of the most cost-effective magical items relative to its utility.

Trade Considerations: Universally desired by adventurers, merchants, and anyone dealing with portable goods. High resale value and consistent demand.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Possession indicates successful adventuring or access to magical resources. May attract attention from thieves or desperate individuals.

Character Concepts:

  • Professional adventurer with proper equipment management
  • Merchant dealing in valuable or bulky goods
  • Collector who requires portable storage for acquisitions
  • Practical individual who values efficiency and preparedness

Adventure Hooks​

The Astral Accident: A bag of holding has been destroyed, scattering important items across the Astral Plane, requiring a rescue mission to recover them.

The Smuggling Operation: Criminals are using bags of holding to transport illegal goods, and the party must investigate the supply chain.

The Overloaded Bag: A bag of holding is approaching its weight limit with unknown contents, creating tension about what might be inside and whether it's safe.

The Counterfeit Crisis: Fake bags of holding are flooding the market, some of which are actually bags of devouring in disguise.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Bag of Holding (Rare): Increased capacity (1,000 pounds, 128 cubic feet) and reduced retrieval time (bonus action instead of action).

Specialized Holding Bag (Uncommon): Designed for specific item types (weapons, spell components, etc.) with organizational features.

Secure Holding Bag (Rare): Includes locks, alarms, or identification restrictions to prevent theft or unauthorized access.

Specialized Variants:

  • Living Bag of Holding: Has basic intelligence and can organize contents or warn of dangers
  • Elemental Holding Bag: Provides environmental protection for stored items
  • Linked Holding Bag: Multiple bags share the same extradimensional space

Lore & History​

Origins: Developed by ancient mages seeking practical solutions to equipment transport. The techniques have been refined over centuries.

Historical Significance: Revolutionary impact on trade, exploration, and military logistics. Enabled expeditions that would have been impossible otherwise.

Cultural Impact: In magical societies, bags of holding are as common as backpacks in mundane cultures, representing basic adventuring equipment.

Economic Influence: Has transformed commerce by enabling merchants to transport much larger inventories without proportional increases in shipping costs.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Can be introduced at any level but provides maximum benefit to parties that acquire significant equipment and treasure.

Campaign Impact: Fundamentally alters resource management and enables more ambitious expeditions. Reduces the need for frequent trips to sell or store loot.

Limitation Balance: The action cost for retrieval and weight/volume limits prevent the bag from trivializing all logistics challenges.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Situations where equipment variety matters more than quick access
  • Extended expeditions where supply management is crucial
  • Scenarios involving valuable or bulky treasure that needs secure transport
  • Encounters that test the party's organization and preparation

Tactical Adjustments: Enemies may target the bag to scatter the party's equipment or attempt to steal it for its contents.

Extradimensional Storage: Other items that provide expanded storage capacity through magical means.

Practical Equipment:

  • Portable holes (higher capacity but different risks)
  • Handy haversacks (easier access but lower capacity)
  • Efficient quivers (specialized for ammunition)

Complementary Equipment: Items that help organize, secure, or enhance the utility of the bag's storage capacity.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Resource Management: Decisions about what to carry and how to organize the bag become ongoing character management elements.

Group Dynamics: The bag often becomes communal property, requiring negotiation about access and organization among party members.

Economic Opportunities: The bag enables participation in larger-scale economic activities like merchant expeditions or treasure hunting operations.