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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Unwise" data-source="post: 6792241" data-attributes="member: 98008">I love intelligent items, I just think that using them as a domination thing is lazy and not very fun in most circumstances. There are lots of cool things you can do with an intelligent weapon or item that does not remove control of the PC from the player.- The item can activate and deactivate its abilities whenever it wants.- Change the way you as the DM describe scenes and people to reflect the items influence. I have used many paranoid item. I describe people reaching inside their jacket towards a dagger shaped bulge etc and the PCs cut down people just reaching for a cigar case. I describe how shifty the inn keeper seems and the PC stays awake guarding all night.- Let the PCs know that the item likes and dislikes their actions. Appear to be keeping some sort of tally. This influences PC behavior significantly.- Open up new abilities when the item likes the PCs more, but the item now expects more of them and will shut off the abilities if they don't behave. Carrot and stick approach.- Describe simply how the item makes the PC feel. You often don't need to do more than that to discourage a PC using an evil item in my experience.- Temptation, do this action and I'll give you X power.IMC the Paladin has a Holy Avenger. The sword is literally the embodiment of his god wrath. That is all it is, it truly is an instrument of vengeance. The PC was shocked to find that the Holy Avenger was not a loving caring compassionate sword, it was the material manifestation of righteous rage, it just wants to smite and kill (righteously of course). He actually has to fight to keep it in check. He has learned that the last wielders of the item all did terrible things in their gods name. The Holy Avenger is the wrath of a god, without the wisdom of a god. It just wants to smite the bad guys, not stop and think. His Oath of Devotion gives him immunity to charm, so if he keeps his principles, he can maintain control of the rage. This has been far more interesting for all concerned than simply having an item that marries up exactly with the personality and principles of the PC.</blockquote>

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