D&D 3E/3.5 [3.5] Redeeming an Intelligent Weapon

[andargor]

We would like to use the BoED Redemption rules to change the alignment of a powerful intelligent sword (NE to LE or LN). The DM has given his approval for the procedure.

The problem is that the redemption is a series of opposed Diplomacy checks vs 1d20 + sword's "level".

We are wondering what the "level" of the sword should be. Are there rules for determining approximate intelligent item level equivalencies?

These are the sword's statistics:

• +3 keen longsword of life stealing
• AL NE; Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 16; Ego 17
• Bestows one negative level on a critical hit; wielder gains 1d6 temporary HP
• Spoken languages: Abyssal, Infernal, Common
• Wielder granted Evasion
• Wielder can see invisibility at will
• Heal 1/day
• 400 years old, forged in the underworld
• Consumed its forger, which gave it its intelligence
• Cannot be duplicated (no caster level or prerequisites)
• 108,000 gp value

If no rules exist, opinions also welcome.

Andargor

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

I believe the level of the sword is its caster level.

All magic items have a caster level, so "Cannot be duplicated (no caster level or prerequisites)" is in fact incorrect.

 

[andargor]

Ok, let's see if this is correct.

Caster Level for Weapons: The caster level of a weapon with a special ability is given in the item description. For an item with only an enhancement bonus and no other abilities, the caster level is three times the enhancement bonus. If an item has both an enhancement bonus and a special ability, the higher of the two caster level requirements must be met.

Since there's no caster level specified, these would be the factors to consider:

• +3 means caster level 9th minimum
• Keen is 10th
• The Sword of Life Stealing has a CL of 17th, which seems to correspond to the sword's basic ability
• Intelligent items require a CL of 15th or higher
• There is no indication on the caster level required for each special ability of the sword. The highest level spell the sword can cast is heal (9th level caster required), but granting the Evasion feat does not equate with anything.

So, I would say the minimum this sword can be is 17th, as a normal sword of Life-Stealing, with no idea if any other adjustments are required. At 108,000 gp cost, I do not believe it to be epic, so it's probably not higher than 20th.

Andargor

 

[jodyjohnson]

The CL could be anything 17+.

I'd go with 20th just because of the value.

 

[Someone]

Not long ago there was a post about a 3rd level bard with a Diplomacy modifier of +23. He could reddem that sword quite easily

 

[RuminDange]

I don't know of a rule to help with this, so I offer my opinion and probably what I would do. More than likely I will have to decide this at some point as one player (my wife) loves to redeem evil, she just hasn't thought about intelligent items yet.

So personally I'd probably add something to the "level" based on the other enchantments like Keen, primary and extrordinary powers, special purposes etc to reflect the fact the sword is more powerful and unigue than a typical sword of life stealing.

Probably somewhere around 20th like JodyJohnson stated but I figured it more like +1 level per enchantment bonus, +1 Level for every 2 primary powers ), and +1 level for each Extrordinary, Special Purpose, and probably +2 level for the epic powers if you use the epic level handbook to create intelligent items.

Since a +3 Sword of Life Stealing is already at Level 17, I'd say the +3 is already counted.
then I'd 1 for Keen, 1 for evasion and See Invis, 1 for Heal, for a final level of 20.

or as a thought just as I was about to post,

I might just use the Ego calculations to determine the overall level of the weapon as well. Probably work out about the same, give or take.

RD

 

[Hypersmurf]

I might just use the Ego calculations to determine the overall level of the weapon as well. Probably work out about the same, give or take.

"Use Ego" was my first thought... and sdince its Ego is 17, that works out the same as minimum caster level (in this case)

-Hyp.