Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mvincent 11-16-05, 07:20 PM	Example: an Intelligent ring of Telekinesis. The description for intelligent items reads: "Unlike most magic items, intelligent items can activate their own powers without waiting for a command word from their owner. Intelligent items act during their owner’s turn in the initiative order." The description for a ring of Telekinesis reads: "This ring allows the caster to use the spell telekinesis on command." In battle, would an Intelligent ring of Telekinesis be able to use it's Telekinesis ability each round while the wearer uses his own actions to cast spells and such? (Edit: changed the thread title to address broader issue)
Wyrd Bearer 11-16-05, 08:08 PM	Hmm, well that depends. Is telekinesis a power of the ring by virtue of it being magical or is it specifically a power of the ring because it is intelligent? I'm going to assume the former since telekinesis isn't on the standard intelligent item power charts. That means the wielder would still have to activate the power every round as a standard action.
mvincent 11-16-05, 08:41 PM	Hmm, well that depends.Well, the wording of " intelligent items can activate their own powers" seemed ambiguous, so I changed the name of this thread to address that issue. So you believe that an intelligent flaming sword could not turn itself on?
Wyrd Bearer 11-16-05, 08:55 PM	Well, like I said before, telekinesis and flaming aren't standard intelligent item powers, so its vague as to whether or not an intelligent item could. However, I'm speaking purely from a "standard" rules interpretation, which is that anything that is less beneficial to the player is the correct way to rule it. I'm not against intelligent items activating themselves, its just that I've personally never played that way. Its the fault of ambiguous wordings. If I've erred, its been to the safer side of the rules.
mvincent 11-16-05, 09:55 PM	If I've erred, its been to the safer side of the rules.Seems like a good call (especially considering the abuses that would be possible in this case). I was just curious how other players read it.
the.real.elwood 11-16-05, 11:22 PM	I was under the assumption that in that instance, yes the ring could activate its telekinetic powers. If the intelligent item was going to be active in a particular fight, I would have it roll initiative like any other party member, with the bonus based on its Ego score or something of that nature. The kicker is, the player doesn't get to decide what the ring does. If the ring has a low Ego score, the player could probably convince the ring to do his bidding, but if the ring has a high Ego score, or if the ring doesn't like the player, well, then it could work against the player (teleport the player next to the BBEG). Intelligent items are very powerful, but are also much harder to use effectively.
tarkin 11-17-05, 09:10 AM	I would have it be up to the creator of the item, with the default being Yes, they can activate themselves. Note, if an intelligent ring activates Telekinesis, then the RING would control the spell, not the wearer.
mvincent 11-17-05, 11:35 AM	If the intelligent item was going to be active in a particular fight, I would have it roll initiative like any other party member,That would be a house rule, since the rules say: "Intelligent items act during their owner’s turn in the initiative order."
jasper 11-17-05, 03:41 PM	hmm intelligent ring of telekinesis with a high ego.. hmmm bing! Ring turns on. Ring "quit hitting yourself " smack Ring "quit hitting yourself" Smack Ring "quit hitting yourself" Smack :D
AviLazar 11-17-05, 04:17 PM	"Unlike most magic items, intelligent items can activate their own powers without waiting for a command word from their owner. Intelligent items act during their owner’s turn in the initiative order." I do not think this is ambiguous at all. It is not saying that a ring can activate intelligent magic item powers only (from the chart) it is saying it can activate its own powers. Since the intelligent ring of TK has the power of TK, imho it is it's own power. Whose power would it be? The rings? But not the intelligence of the ring? That doesn't make sense and I think it is reading too much into it by saying it couldn't activate the power.
warlockco 11-17-05, 06:08 PM	Example: an Intelligent ring of Telekinesis. The description for intelligent items reads: "Unlike most magic items, intelligent items can activate their own powers without waiting for a command word from their owner. Intelligent items act during their owner’s turn in the initiative order." The description for a ring of Telekinesis reads: "This ring allows the caster to use the spell telekinesis on command." In battle, would an Intelligent ring of Telekinesis be able to use it's Telekinesis ability each round while the wearer uses his own actions to cast spells and such? (Edit: changed the thread title to address broader issue) Remember the Ring as an Intelligent Item is under the Control of the DM as an NPC, not the Player.
mvincent 11-17-05, 06:43 PM	Remember the Ring as an Intelligent Item is under the Control of the DM as an NPC, not the Player.Sorta: "Unlike its other powers, an intelligent item can refuse to use its dedicated power even if the owner is dominant (see Items against Characters" DM's generally have the player control the item unless there is some particular reason not to.
yellowdingo 11-17-05, 06:47 PM	I'd have to say no. There is a real problem with intelligent swords. It failed to go with the idea that the intelligence in that sword was imprisoned there. Sentient life bound up in the awesome power of a magical item. unless they have specific access Kind of Like the Magic Mirror on the Wall. "Oh magic sword in the sheath, Who is the greatest Warrior in all the land?"
warlockco 11-17-05, 08:14 PM	In a campaign that I played in, one of Characters had a Sentient Staff of the Magi. This character was the DMs character from 2E, that has since made the progression to a major NPC in his campaign world. But one of the tactics the NPC would use, was to "plant" the staff next to her, letting it use its own discretion in what spells to use and what targets to hit. The pair made for some nasty spell hurling.
The WarOverlord 11-18-05, 03:02 AM	Example: an Intelligent ring of Telekinesis. The description for intelligent items reads: "Unlike most magic items, intelligent items can activate their own powers without waiting for a command word from their owner. Intelligent items act during their owner’s turn in the initiative order." The description for a ring of Telekinesis reads: "This ring allows the caster to use the spell telekinesis on command." In battle, would an Intelligent ring of Telekinesis be able to use it's Telekinesis ability each round while the wearer uses his own actions to cast spells and such? (Edit: changed the thread title to address broader issue) Sentinent Weapons aren't usually given additional word activated or mentally activated spell or abilities for the same reason that a Psionic Weapon isn't given magical abilities or more then one discipline,etc........There is a remote chance that a disgruntled intelligent weapon will turn all of the powers at it's disposal against it's wielder if only to get the upperhand in a domination contest :evillaugh Other then that just play nice with the weapon so it doesn't decide to use it's flame toungue ability or the like on you.
warlockco 11-18-05, 04:08 AM	Sentinent Weapons aren't usually given additional word activated or mentally activated spell or abilities for the same reason that a Psionic Weapon isn't given magical abilities or more then one discipline,etc........There is a remote chance that a disgruntled intelligent weapon will turn all of the powers at it's disposal against it's wielder if only to get the upperhand in a domination contest :evillaugh Other then that just play nice with the weapon so it doesn't decide to use it's flame toungue ability or the like on you. Quite Right, if you own a Dancing Weapon that is Sentient, don't **** it off :D
Kendrick 11-18-05, 05:34 AM	To answer the original question, I find the rule poorly worded - it seems fairly clear to me that the intent was only for the item to be able to use the powers it has as an intelligent item - things like Cure Moderate 3/Day and so on. The wording, however, seems to support that an item could activate any of its own magical properties, which could be particularly interesting with something like a Ring of Telekinesis. I can't think of a rules-lawyer way to show that this shouldn't be allowed - DM fiat looks like the only solution, though I could have missed something. As far as rebellious items - except for dedicated powers, it looks like a character could force the item to activate its powers even if it's ticked off. It seems wierd that they would be able to do so without taking an action, but when you combine the line about items being able to refuse to use their dedicated powers with the fact that the character can become "dominant" even if the item is angry, I don't see that the rules would require any special action.
mythSSK 11-18-05, 07:14 AM	hmm intelligent ring of telekinesis with a high ego.. hmmm bing! Ring turns on. Ring "quit hitting yourself " smack Ring "quit hitting yourself" Smack Ring "quit hitting yourself" Smack :D :rofl: :clap: :bow:
luckyskatr 11-18-05, 08:53 AM	I was wondering If an Iteligent item had an alignment? If so, that might make for some changes and would allow for some fun role playing.
theAlastorian 11-18-05, 11:07 AM	Yes, intelligent items do in fact have alignments. I once, on a whim, decided to make the most powerful character I could and gave it an intelligent sword. I first chose what powers the sword would have, then decided it'd be fun to roll everything up. The character was LG, the rolled sword was CE. *GRIN*