tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278070888694275259.post5729195857966660307..comments2024-02-26T17:14:37.218-05:00Comments on Echoes from the Geekcave: Intelligent Swords: A Dumb Idea?Bigharahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14232940345429292782noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278070888694275259.post-82245905688038060372012-03-08T12:52:06.243-05:002012-03-08T12:52:06.243-05:00That could be funny, but be ready for the potentia...That could be funny, but be ready for the potential player conflict levels to ratchet up!Bigharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14232940345429292782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278070888694275259.post-28301995796575877782012-03-08T12:32:52.361-05:002012-03-08T12:32:52.361-05:00I'd like to see a magic sword as PC. Maybe whe...I'd like to see a magic sword as PC. Maybe when someone new joins the group, the tank's flaming longsword suddenly starts talking.Mr. Joelhttp://fastermonkeycage.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278070888694275259.post-70675908767159143512012-03-08T08:29:18.756-05:002012-03-08T08:29:18.756-05:00"And personally, I like that they're anno...<i>"And personally, I like that they're annoying. It's the price a player accepts for the ability to detect gems at will or teleport three times per day or whatever."</i><br />Yes, magic with a price. I agree.Bigharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14232940345429292782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278070888694275259.post-31522981754447999752012-03-08T07:56:43.074-05:002012-03-08T07:56:43.074-05:00When I wrote up my Unique Magic Weapons document, ...When I wrote up my Unique Magic Weapons document, I included quite a few intelligent swords. I don't think there are exactly enough to meet the statistical odds, but close to that (so out of 100 swords, I think maybe 22 or 23 are intelligent). <br /><br />I rolled almost all of their intelligence powers randomly (a couple really iconic ones I fudged a bit), and aside from the fudged to match the source material ones, only got one that seems "overpowered" by the rolls. Coming up with personalities to fit the swords' Int, Will and powers, plus source inspiration, was pretty fun. I haven't gotten to introduce one through play yet, but I'm looking forward to it.<br /><br />And personally, I like that they're annoying. It's the price a player accepts for the ability to detect gems at will or teleport three times per day or whatever.Dennis Laffeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03053699552003336733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278070888694275259.post-36994758174239694872012-03-03T09:36:13.831-05:002012-03-03T09:36:13.831-05:00I used intelligent swords a lot way back when, and...I used intelligent swords a lot way back when, and yes, each and every one was damed annoying :)Simon Forsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01243845335993440168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278070888694275259.post-39015877819794822312012-03-03T06:24:47.617-05:002012-03-03T06:24:47.617-05:00To be sure they could become annoying, and even si...To be sure they could become annoying, and even silly. I do like the idea that magic swords (some at least) have some kind of spirit or will to them. While actual clashes of will should be rare, the idea that the sword "feels angry" is cool, IMO. <br /><br />and yes, like I said, some of the powers are a bit odd for a weapon.Bigharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14232940345429292782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7278070888694275259.post-69529576721332539512012-03-03T00:44:33.318-05:002012-03-03T00:44:33.318-05:00Clearly this comes down to taste... So, for my tas...Clearly this comes down to taste... So, for my taste, intelligent swords are annoying and distracting. The game should be about the players (and their characters), and having to deal with some dickhead sword which may or may not have some ulterior motive is just a pain. <br /><br />Nowadays if the sword even hinted at being anything other than polite and 100% cooperative I would wrap that bitch in asbestos and embark on a Frodo-style Lava-Quest.<br /><br />And who on earth would forge a magic friggin katana and then decide "I NEED THIS TO DETECT SLOPED PASSAGES!!11!1!"? Surely there is some kind of weaponisable effect you would prefer to spend that (no doubt considerable) time and effort imbuing your fine blade with? Ugh. I dislike a lot of D&D stuff though.<br /><br />Best case, have like... one (or two opposing) magic sword in the campaign and play it like an NPC... and an important NPC at that. Like the Big-Bad's archnemesis who was slain but semi-rescued and entombed in a blade or something. I don't know, I am skeptical of them in general.Trent_Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07027231462282970568noreply@blogger.com