Breaking potentially dangerous magic items

[Quasqueton]

The PCs in my campaign have acquired (read: looted) some magic items. Among them is a necklace they suspect of having some bad mojo. [For my Players who may read this: this post neither confirms nor denies any powers of the necklace.]

The dwarf monk suggested smashing the necklace, and was about to do so. The other 3 PCs immediately left the room in a rush, and the halfling wizard leaned around the corner to say, "I don't know if that's a good idea."

The monk hesitated and reconsidered the act. In the end, the necklace was not smashed, but the whole scene was hilarious.

What are some interesting and/or humorous situations you've seen with using or breaking magic items?

Quasqueton

 

[Orm]

First, it might be dangerous to break magic stuff. Check the staff of power for it´s retributive strike. Beside of that you may want to check some fumble charts for some interesting side effects.

Orm

 

[Henry]

Two sessions ago, the PCs, roaming around an ancient Dungeon, came across the broken halves of a Staff of Power. After they finished giving me the "you Bastard!" dirty looks, they decided to keep them anyway, and put them back at their detective office as a conversation piece under glass.

 

[BOZ]

the paladin (no longer with the party, heh) decided to smash one of lolth's artifacts, against the recommendations of the rest of the party. now, when lolth showed up, "i told you so" just didn't seem strong enough.

 

[UltimaGabe]

Two sessions ago, the PCs, roaming around an ancient Dungeon, came across the broken halves of a Staff of Power. After they finished giving me the "you Bastard!" dirty looks, they decided to keep them anyway, and put them back at their detective office as a conversation piece under glass.

I was under the impression that a Staff of Power, considering it's at the epicenter of the retributive blast, gets consumed in the attack.

Besides- even if they have the pieces of it, it's still useful to them- now, if they wanted to make one, it'd only cost them half price.