New spells/items/classes, how do you introduce?

[garhkal]

Many of us throughout the years have made new spells, classes, magic items etc..
When you DO, how do you go about introducing them into game>??

Have a new class be used by an NPC (whether foe or friend)?
Have a player make a new pc up (when his or her prior pc dies) in said new class to give it a test out?

What of spells and items? Have them appear in enemy hands being used against the party, and if they win out are therefore rewards?

[Halaster-Blackcloak]

Can't think of a time I've created a new class - unless witch/warlock counts - and then I based it heavily on the material from Dragon Magazine. The witch was introduced as an NPC and the warlock was introduced as a PC. To me it doesn't matter either way on that issue, especially since it's so rare to have new classes.

With magic items, I really like to give out new magic items (things I've created) to the PCs. I sometimes give new items to NPCs (almost always major enemies), but I'd say most of the creative stuff ends up going to the PCs (usually found as treasure or quested for).

With spells, I love giving enemies new spells, things the PCs are not familiar with. They usually have at least some chance of procuring the source of the new spells, but it may not be easy. I do like putting new spells on scrolls to be found as well, though I don't do it that often. I prefer to let the PCs create their own spells. Adds fun, takes some work off my shoulders, and they get the sort of spell they really want.

[garhkal]

but I'd say most of the creative stuff ends up going to the PCs (usually found as treasure or quested for).

If its something new, how can they know about it to quest for it?

[Halaster-Blackcloak]

Well, let's say the PCs hear of a magical sword or a ring or some other item of great power. Maybe there is a reference to it on a treasure map or something, or they hear rumors in a bar, etc. They may not know what it is, or they may have a good idea of what is it (a sword, staff, etc). So they start researching mythology, legends, obscure books, sages, and so on. Eventually they track down the item. And that item would be the new magical item I invented.

This happened once with a PC who was a cavalier (quite modified from UA though), and he heard rumors of a lance that belonged to a knight of high honor and great power, blah, blah, blah. Eventually they learned enough about it and found enough clues to track it down. It was a new magic item I invented from scratch.

[Stik]

In my game items come into the game in the hands of foes, or possibly on loan from a friendly NPC.

I haven't really brought in many custom spells, but they'd be brought into the game in a similar fashion. Perhaps by the players hearing stories about the spell and seeking out its creator, or by finding them in a "found" spellbook.

Classes would come in with a new player or new PC for a player rolling up a new character.