Character Enteraction with Intelligent Items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character Enteraction with Intelligent Items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Hey-Zeus
10-26-05, 08:26 PM In my campaign one of my players has possesion of an intelligent magic sword. It has a pretty high ego, but at the same time it is a very powerful weapon for their level. So what I need to do is make it somewhat dissagreable. If a character fails his will save, does the weapon totaly dominate as by the spell, or is it different? If it is different how so? The weapon and character are both the same alignment, so there is no real problem there. However, the item does have a specific agenda and I'm quite sure the player has no intention of helping it along with its task. The DMG is somewhat vague on the specifics so any help you other DMs can offer would be great. Thanks
Ogmug
10-26-05, 08:36 PM In my campaign one of my players has possesion of an intelligent magic sword. It has a pretty high ego, but at the same time it is a very powerful weapon for their level. So what I need to do is make it somewhat dissagreable. If a character fails his will save, does the weapon totaly dominate as by the spell, or is it different? If it is different how so? The weapon and character are both the same alignment, so there is no real problem there. However, the item does have a specific agenda and I'm quite sure the player has no intention of helping it along with its task. The DMG is somewhat vague on the specifics so any help you other DMs can offer would be great. Thanks
I don't think it is as per the spell Dominate, though you certainly could rule it as such. IT would definately affect the character.
I don't think it is that vague. Are you referring to page 271? Specifically the "harsher actions" could be exactly what you need. It might refuse to strike unless the player agrees or does what it wants, or even force the character to submit, etc.

I hope that helps /shrug
Templetroll
10-26-05, 08:52 PM It would depend on its agenda. What does it want to accomplish and can it be done without taking control? The sword isn't typically in a rush, whatever its agenda is, so it can work to convince the character that any idea towards action is his own, merely supported by the weapon.

Another way for the ego to work, without forcing control, is by being able to resist the will of the wielder. I have a ranger once get a sword with Heal 2x day. It was intelligent but never seemed to exihibit an attitude. Then one day, the ranger went out to train a worg pup with his wardog. He decided that destroying a strige nest was a good way to do this and he would get paid by the town for taking care of the pests.

He heads out to the woods and charges into the fray, then after a few rounds decides he needs to send the animals away to be sure they survive. They had killed a couple and he had killed a couple more clearing them. Then he continues the battle and after more damage taking him down to a third of his hits and more dead stirges he tells the sword, "Now would be a good time for that Heal." and confidently continues swinging. The sword replies, "No." The Ranger didn't falter in his fighting as his life was on the line by now but he asked, "Wh-what? why not?" The sword responded, "Because that wouldn't be Heroic." The player's jaw dropped about like what I expect the ranger's did. The character was injured enough that he could not force the Heal from it. Then he started rolling the d20, and the battle had a different mood to it. The player was determined to survive, if only to let him do something to that damnable sword! He survived, left my place with a smile and a vow to get rid of the sword. :)
Ogmug
10-26-05, 08:57 PM :cheer: :w00t: :dancin: :clap: :bow: :tiphat: :thumbsup: :heehee
Hey-Zeus
10-26-05, 10:28 PM basicaly it is extreamly nationalistic and wants to serve its home country. They had been chasing down the carrier of the weapon and this character has been dying to get the sword. they finaly defeated the guy and got the weapon. initialy the player faild his save and the sword started to try to kill off the rest of the party, because the sword inital reaction was anger at having its schemes twarted by the PCs. He talked the sword down and basicaly got it to realize that if it didn't co operate it would end up left where it was wating for the next slub to come along. So what I am wondering is how the sword will react when he is constantly having his agenda put off by the player, and how best to play it without compleatly taking control from the player.
Hey-Zeus
10-26-05, 10:29 PM sorry about hte terrible spelling and typos, I'm only half concious.
Templetroll
10-27-05, 07:42 AM basicaly it is extreamly nationalistic and wants to serve its home country. They had been chasing down the carrier of the weapon and this character has been dying to get the sword. they finaly defeated the guy and got the weapon. initialy the player faild his save and the sword started to try to kill off the rest of the party, because the sword inital reaction was anger at having its schemes twarted by the PCs. He talked the sword down and basicaly got it to realize that if it didn't co operate it would end up left where it was wating for the next slub to come along. So what I am wondering is how the sword will react when he is constantly having his agenda put off by the player, and how best to play it without compleatly taking control from the player.

Is the PC from the nation the sword supports? Have it start to insinuate the nationalism into the PC. Can it communicate telepathically? HAve the PC have dreams of glory as the hero of the nation. If not then have the sword come up with ideas on what the PC should lead his comrades to do next. Make it sound as worthwhile in wealth and prestige so that the players will want to go along with it.

Have the sword hold in disdain actions of the PC that do not fulfill its nationalistic fervor. "Oh, you killed the dragon? How nice. Now, if you slew that warband of goblins harassing the village, that would be heroic!"

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Hey-Zeus 10-26-05, 08:26 PM	In my campaign one of my players has possesion of an intelligent magic sword. It has a pretty high ego, but at the same time it is a very powerful weapon for their level. So what I need to do is make it somewhat dissagreable. If a character fails his will save, does the weapon totaly dominate as by the spell, or is it different? If it is different how so? The weapon and character are both the same alignment, so there is no real problem there. However, the item does have a specific agenda and I'm quite sure the player has no intention of helping it along with its task. The DMG is somewhat vague on the specifics so any help you other DMs can offer would be great. Thanks
Ogmug 10-26-05, 08:36 PM	In my campaign one of my players has possesion of an intelligent magic sword. It has a pretty high ego, but at the same time it is a very powerful weapon for their level. So what I need to do is make it somewhat dissagreable. If a character fails his will save, does the weapon totaly dominate as by the spell, or is it different? If it is different how so? The weapon and character are both the same alignment, so there is no real problem there. However, the item does have a specific agenda and I'm quite sure the player has no intention of helping it along with its task. The DMG is somewhat vague on the specifics so any help you other DMs can offer would be great. Thanks I don't think it is as per the spell Dominate, though you certainly could rule it as such. IT would definately affect the character. I don't think it is that vague. Are you referring to page 271? Specifically the "harsher actions" could be exactly what you need. It might refuse to strike unless the player agrees or does what it wants, or even force the character to submit, etc. I hope that helps /shrug
Templetroll 10-26-05, 08:52 PM	It would depend on its agenda. What does it want to accomplish and can it be done without taking control? The sword isn't typically in a rush, whatever its agenda is, so it can work to convince the character that any idea towards action is his own, merely supported by the weapon. Another way for the ego to work, without forcing control, is by being able to resist the will of the wielder. I have a ranger once get a sword with Heal 2x day. It was intelligent but never seemed to exihibit an attitude. Then one day, the ranger went out to train a worg pup with his wardog. He decided that destroying a strige nest was a good way to do this and he would get paid by the town for taking care of the pests. He heads out to the woods and charges into the fray, then after a few rounds decides he needs to send the animals away to be sure they survive. They had killed a couple and he had killed a couple more clearing them. Then he continues the battle and after more damage taking him down to a third of his hits and more dead stirges he tells the sword, "Now would be a good time for that Heal." and confidently continues swinging. The sword replies, "No." The Ranger didn't falter in his fighting as his life was on the line by now but he asked, "Wh-what? why not?" The sword responded, "Because that wouldn't be Heroic." The player's jaw dropped about like what I expect the ranger's did. The character was injured enough that he could not force the Heal from it. Then he started rolling the d20, and the battle had a different mood to it. The player was determined to survive, if only to let him do something to that damnable sword! He survived, left my place with a smile and a vow to get rid of the sword. :)
Ogmug 10-26-05, 08:57 PM	:cheer: :w00t: :dancin: :clap: :bow: :tiphat: :thumbsup: :heehee
Hey-Zeus 10-26-05, 10:28 PM	basicaly it is extreamly nationalistic and wants to serve its home country. They had been chasing down the carrier of the weapon and this character has been dying to get the sword. they finaly defeated the guy and got the weapon. initialy the player faild his save and the sword started to try to kill off the rest of the party, because the sword inital reaction was anger at having its schemes twarted by the PCs. He talked the sword down and basicaly got it to realize that if it didn't co operate it would end up left where it was wating for the next slub to come along. So what I am wondering is how the sword will react when he is constantly having his agenda put off by the player, and how best to play it without compleatly taking control from the player.
Hey-Zeus 10-26-05, 10:29 PM	sorry about hte terrible spelling and typos, I'm only half concious.
Templetroll 10-27-05, 07:42 AM	basicaly it is extreamly nationalistic and wants to serve its home country. They had been chasing down the carrier of the weapon and this character has been dying to get the sword. they finaly defeated the guy and got the weapon. initialy the player faild his save and the sword started to try to kill off the rest of the party, because the sword inital reaction was anger at having its schemes twarted by the PCs. He talked the sword down and basicaly got it to realize that if it didn't co operate it would end up left where it was wating for the next slub to come along. So what I am wondering is how the sword will react when he is constantly having his agenda put off by the player, and how best to play it without compleatly taking control from the player. Is the PC from the nation the sword supports? Have it start to insinuate the nationalism into the PC. Can it communicate telepathically? HAve the PC have dreams of glory as the hero of the nation. If not then have the sword come up with ideas on what the PC should lead his comrades to do next. Make it sound as worthwhile in wealth and prestige so that the players will want to go along with it. Have the sword hold in disdain actions of the PC that do not fulfill its nationalistic fervor. "Oh, you killed the dragon? How nice. Now, if you slew that warband of goblins harassing the village, that would be heroic!"