A cool ability, need input.

[DerianCypher]

Alrighty,

First off, this ability is going on a weapon for an epic campaign.

The ability is going on a weapon that my PC has had since level 1 so I think it is justified, and this PC Is one of the best RPers in the group.

The PC wants an ability on his weapon that is called "true ownership" (it's from some book series I never read). Basically, the weapon only works for him, because when in the possesion of another person it tries to get back to him (a la one ring, but not evil).

So, I think this is a good ability but it needs a drawback.. that's where you guys come in

This is a mostly RP ability so please make the draw back mostly RP related

Thanks

DC

 

[Epametheus]

Why does that need a drawback? The weapon is worthless to everyone else on the planet, let alone the party.

Okay, I guess a Paladin could cast Holy Sword on it and get some use out of it, but otherwise...

Actually, is the weapon sentient? That could be cool. It'd get upset with the PC whenever he tried to used a different weapon.

 

[F5]

A simple solution: it works both ways. As the weapon tries to get back to its' True Master, the master likewise is obsessed with getting his weapon back.

You could rule the effects to work like the Geas spell, where the weapon master takes progressive penalties for each day that goes by where he doesn't have his weapon. That might be harsh, you may want to tone down the actual penalty from where that would put it, but lesser geas could work as a guide.

Just the first thought that popped into my head.

 

[DerianCypher]

It needs a drawback, because it's a really good ability that he's getting for minimal cost. The weapon is an incredibly good one he'll probably never need to get rid of.

DC

 

[shouit]

The samurai's daisho in OA and Rokogan have a similar ability, they dont function as a magical weapon to anyone save them. To everyone else they are a masterwork weapon.. Check it out...

 

[Epametheus]

It needs a drawback, because it's a really good ability that he's getting for minimal cost. The weapon is an incredibly good one he'll probably never need to get rid of.

DC

Really good? It'll never even come up unless you have some some guy steal the thing...

 

[MerakSpielman]

I think he means that it's really good in some other ways... This is only one power of many.

 

[mehrkat]

Source and disadvantages.

Hi,

I think the source of this ability comes from the Misenchanted Sword by Lawrence Watt Evan.

In this one the sword had all kinds of cool other abilities.

If you felt you needed a drawback how about this. The sword uses whatever is necessary to get back to the character. If the sword is more than say 20 feet from him it starts trying to come back.

In the series it put a suggestion in the mind of an army man to sneak into his things pull out the sword and bring it to him while he was in a meeting with the general of the army. There were constant fears on the part of the main character to ever get too far from the darn thing for fear of what might happen to get it back to him. How many social situations can the character not go into because the sword has to be kept. He feared earthquakes and volcanos bringing the sword to him.

In my current campaign one of my pcs has a magic sword that finds a "worthy owner" and only works for that worthy owner the disadvantage is that the character must remain "worthy" and doesn't even really know the criteria that was used to select him.

If it needs a disadvantage either of those two could be used.

Mehrkat

 

[wolff96]

I agree with Mehrkat. Both as to the most likely source and as to the drawbacks.

The longer the sword is away from its owner, the more the power of the Geas builds up. If he dumps it in a river, the river will eventually flood itself to return the sword to him.

If someone takes it, it is a masterwork weapon in their hands. Although I would give a Rogue a chance to "Use Magic Device" and spoof the sword. But that's just me.

It doesn't really need a mechanical drawback, as long as you give it a roleplaying drawback.

-------------------------

If you really HAVE to have a mechanical drawback, make the sword intelligent. Then, if he uses any other weapon while it's gone, the sword will sulk -- not work for him either -- until such time as the character convinces it to forgive him.

 

[megamania]

Without knowing more....

if a natural 1 is ever rolled....

it breaks?
or
summons a demon of equal power (former owner?)?
or
forces him to do the monkey dance......I'm really sure what you are looking for. Is it even Fantasy or Sci-Fi or Modern?????