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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ValhallaGH" data-source="post: 5265782" data-attributes="member: 41187">I prefer the Deadlands (Weird West / Hell on Earth / Lost Colony) explanation.  The (unstated but pervasive) explanation can be summed up as follows."The supernatural is real and mysterious.  Sometimes, objects that have been exposed to too much of the supernatural will begin manifesting their own unique powers; this is especially common with weapons, but can happen to any item that's been near a number of supernatural events (or one really supernatural event).  Sometimes, objects will absorb a part of their owner's power and manifest unique abilities thematically similar; these can augment, replace, or compliment the original owner's existing powers and the benefits are usually transferred to subsequent owners, though not always at full strength.  And sometimes an object will manifest powers for no discernible reason, beyond the fact that it is cool."What is universal is that each magical item is unique, with its own history, story, and (probably) its own destiny.  And the more powerful those powers, the more intricate those three qualities are."So, magic items happen at the Game Master's discretion, and work as the GM dictates.  They can be as common or as rare as the GM desires and the campaign's tone necessitates.  While +X items are generally the most powerful, they are the most boring and should be avoided.  Much better are items that are as cool to use as is the item's backstory.The players want a magic gun that is more accurate and damaging?  Huh.  Well, maybe, but that's kind of bland.  Even with a good story (jammed it into a fire demon's mouth, and now it shoot flaming bullets), it's dull.How about that Teddy Bear the little girl (the one that survived the horrible magic-massacre) has can turn into an actual bear and wreck face?  Or when hugged for a night's sleep acts as a D&D Heal spell (CL 15)?  Or protects anyone that carries it from mental assault (fearless, +20 to Will saves)?What about the Shoulder Holster of Undercover?  Which makes the holstered piece undetectable, and gives the wearer a re-roll on Disguise checks, but makes all criminals immediately hostile (unreasonable, intense, hatred for no discernible reason) to his actual identity.Good luck.</blockquote>

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