Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Garja Oct 14, 2013 0:25:57	I'm in a 4th edition campaign, where the DM has helped the players craft indiviual backstories and mysteries and quests revolving around those stories.  It's really pretty cool, but needless to say, while characters are work together, they don't necessarily trust each other as odd things have happened for which little explanation is given. My character's current dilemma is that he is being extorted to collect an item for a bad man.  I have acquired it, but need to safeguard it until it can be delivered. It's a nonmagical historical artifact, but we've had several of these previously that have gone missing while in the care of our warlock.   My character suspects that she is consuming or using them for some mysterious reason. I need this item. I need it safe. It's in my bag of holding, but my perception is abysmal and I'm afraid it will go missing in the night.   How can I protect this item? Can I make sure I'm the only one opening my bag of holding? Can I trap it or alarm it or do something more than just shoving it under my pillow when I sleep?   Much thanks.
#2 iserith Oct 14, 2013 7:17:35	The surest way to protect the item is to tell the other players and DM that you're not interested in having your characters' possessions stolen and that you'd like to be challenged some other way. If trust is an issue in the group and you don't like it that way (I know I sure don't), feel free to bring that up as well.
#3 Garja Oct 14, 2013 12:54:46	Oh, no... I absolutely *love* it.   I have always tried to play my character's motivations and find it frustrating when other players seem to have no consistent motivation other than storming dungeons.   It's brought a level of role play to the table that I haven't had before and... it brings a "freshness" to the game.
#4 iserith Oct 14, 2013 13:32:43	You can play your character's motivations and still not attack and steal from other player characters. There's a whole world of things out there don't care if you kill and steal from them. One wonders why that's not the focus. The game mechanics are not intended for resolving character conflict either. But if you enjoy it, more power to you and good luck.   I personally think it would be more interesting to "let" the warlock steal it and deal with the ensuing complications from the extortionist. That would make for a better movie in my view.
#5 Krusk Oct 14, 2013 16:37:53	4e doesn't have a lot to go on for this sort of thing. Just eat the item and let the DM know when you "pass it on". Wash it off, and good as new.
#6 iserith Oct 14, 2013 18:31:53	4e does have something for this. It's called the Self-Holding Bag ritual. Hopefully you're a ritual caster.
#7 Garja Oct 15, 2013 9:35:07	Oh man, a Self-Holding Bag is excellent and I am a ritual caster. The only problem is my DM is a bit, uh, alergic to Dragon Magizine. It will take some convincing and I'll need to find someone to teach me. Any other alternatives in case I can't make the sale? Doesn't have to be magical.
#8 iserith Oct 15, 2013 9:44:51	You could keister it. Which is what I'd tell the DM to do if he gave me a hard time about acquiring and using such an innocuous ritual.
#9 Rartemass Oct 15, 2013 22:11:35	In the next town you come across find an artesan. Have him or her create an identical looking item (secretly from the warlock character). Protect this duplicate as if it was the actual item. Stow the actual item someplace common like the bottom of your sleeping bag. If the warlock consumes the fake then it was worth the price of creation. You could also add a magical paint packet that explodes when the item is consumed, covering the consumer in vibrant blue.