sjmiller said:
I have never understood the need of some DMs to twist a Wish spell into something harmful to the players. Why would someone take the spell if they know the DM is just going to mess with it? Like you said, it is a simple, unselfish wish.
There are two good reasons for the "twist" to the Wish spell:
1) It's thematically accurate. Tales of people who have had wishes granted (albeit, by reluctant powerful beings) usually end up with the wisher getting the shaft in some way. Sort of a "be careful what you ask for, because you may get it" idea. Since D&D is based primarly on these mytical tales and fictional stories, those themes carried over.
2) It keeps Wish from being an "I want it all" spell. If there were no danger to a Wish, why wouldn't every caster of 17th level or above be the Grand Imperial Ruler of the Universe? Without the balance feature, what would stop you from wishing for all the tea in China, or all the gold in the world to be yours? Wishing that everyone was your faithful friend, or that you were a god?
Also, in the older editions, it was a challenge to craft a perfectly worded Wish. I can remember working on my Wish for hours before casting it - usually while I should have been paying attention in class! Considering every possible angle, every eventuality. Granted, that's not everyone's idea of fun - but for those who enjoy a good mental challenge, it's right up there.
In the end, J has only his group to guide him. If he feels that they aren't using the Wish to "game the system" as it were, then he should feel perfecly content to grant their Wish. If he feels that they *are* trying to get something for nothing, then he should arrange a suitable punishment for their arrogance! Or, if he feels it would make an interesting segue to another story, or spice up an ongoing plot line, he should use the open-endedness of the Wish to power whatever devious plots he has in mind for his unsuspecting players!
Good luck J, and let us know how it comes out!