Crystal of Mercy [Augmentation Crystal]

[Angafirith]

I really liked the idea of augment crystals, so I was a bit disappointed when I found there were so few in the Magic Item Compendium. They were a large part of why I bought it.

I decided to try making a few of my own, starting with a way to convert lethal damage to non-lethal. Unfortunately, the book doesn't give any ideas on how to create a balanced crystal. Basically, I just jumped in and tried my best.

Crystal of Mercy
Price: 300 gp (least), 1000 gp (lesser), 4000 gp (greater)
Body Slot: -- (weapon crystal)
Caster Level: 5

This crystal emits a soft white glow that fills your heart with mercy.

A Crystal of Mercy gives a weapon the ability to deal non-lethal damage.

Least: All damage the weapon does is non-lethal and the effect can not be suppressed as long as the crystal is attached to the weapon.
Lesser: As least, except that the effect can be suppressed freely.
Greater: As lesser, and when under some effect that causes all weapon damage to be converted to non-lethal, the weapon deals 1d6 extra non-lethal damage. This bonus damage stacks with any from another source (such as the merciful effect)

Prerequisites:Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Cure Light Wounds
Cost to create: 150 gp, 12 xp, 1 day (least); 500 gp, 40 xp, 1 day (lesser); 2000 gp, 160 xp, 4 days (greater).

[Angafirith]

Huh. Does anyone have any ideas? Is it balanced?

[Starsinger]

I like it, not sure about balanced or not, but it doesn't seem that bad to me. Especially the least, since that means the weapon is ineffective against undead, constructs, etc.

[Aramil Liadon]

Before I comment, the wording on the greater confuses me. Also, can someone enlighten me on removing the crystals? I think 700 is too much if all you have to to is pop it out for the same benefit. I like it, but I have no idea if it's actually priced right, etc. (I say that too much. Maybe I should stay off the homebrew forum.)

[Angafirith]

Attaching or removing an augment crystal takes a move action. The benefit of the Lesser crystal is that you could still do a full attack or whatever on the same turn you decide to switch.

The greater crystal essentially works like the Merciful effect, except that it can stack with the Merciful effect. I forgot to add "As lesser" to it.

Edit: I forgot to mention that any feedback whatsoever is helpful to me in these cases. I don't know what I'm doing and there seems to be no precedent for this sort of thing.