Rammifications of this entering my game.

[TheDood]

I'm about to give one of my PCs what basically amounts to a longsword of wounding (Full details below). This is a fifth-level game and I'm wondering what the rammifications of this entering my game would be.

Also, with all the penalties is it still attractive to a fifth-level character, what I mean is from a mechanical standpoint would your character wield such a weapon.

I'm also interested in any possible ways for a player to abuse the powers of this weapon, if anybody can think of any.


The Wailing Blade
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A razor-sharp obsidian blade of Drow construction. It is said that when the wielder looks into the blade that he can see the trapped souls of the foes the blade has taken. Worse still, is the blade is never satisfied with the amount of blood it drinks and constantly emits a piercing scream, demanding more.

Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Communication: Empathy
Intelligence: Low 9
Wisdom: Med 13
Charisma: High 15
Ego: 7

The Wailing Blade 1d8 19-20/X2 4 lb. (S)

Bloodthirst
The Wailing blade must be coated in blood every day, or its bonus fades away (until the blade is coated again). The character using this weapon must make a Will save (DC 13) everyday it is within his or her possession or become Chaotic Evil.

Wounding
A weapon of wounding deals damage to a creature such that a wound it inflicts bleeds for 1 point of damage per round thereafter in addition to the normal damage the weapon deals. Multiple wounds from the weapon result in cumulative bleeding. The bleeding can only be stopped by a successful Heal check (DC 15) or the application of any cure spell or other healing spell.

Negative Level:
Non-Chaotic Evil Wielders of the Wailing Blade recieve a negative level. (-1 competence penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, ability checks, and effective level (for determining the power, duration, DC, and other details of spells or special abilities). Additionally, a spellcaster loses one spell or spell slot from her highest available level.)

Wailing:
The Wailing Blade forces all allies and enemies within 30 feet of the wielder to succeed at a Will save (DC 14) or become shaken. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.

 

[Alchemist]

Is the wielder CE? If not, he will be. The fighter dosen't have the best will save, and a daily save means that within 5 days (give or take, depending on the dice and his bonuses), he's going to be evil. If the party is down with that, it's all good. If not, they're going to lock it in their treasure vault for safe keeping.

"...and constantly emits a piercing scream, demanding more."

That wouldn't get irritating very fast at all. Have you spent time with young children? Try it for a couple of days, and then decide if the party wants to pack around one in CE slicing form. Maybe cut the screaming back to when it actually draws blood or something, but have it murmuring in the wielder's mind. The rogue will thank you.

 

[TheDood]

I going for a whole tempted by power thing with the sword, so being turned to chaotic evil by the sword isn't a big deal with me and it fits my campaign theme. In regards to the other players I don't believe they would have a problem with it either.


I was thinking of only having the wailing effect "turn on" when the sword is drawn but your suggestion about the drawing blood requirement has me thinking.

Also, the empathy effect is there so I can taint my responses (with an evil undertone) to the wielder when ever they make sense motive checks, for example.

 

[Geoff Watson]

If you're not CE already, the sword isn't worth taking. The negative level clearly outweighs the swords advantages, not to mention the risk of becoming CE.

The Wailing ability; is that every round? If so that's going to become very annoying to DM. You'll have to keep track of whether each opponent has failed yet, and what their modified bonuses are etc. How long are they shaken for, anyway?
At a second glance I note that it effects allies too. They won't be allies for long.

The sword is a piece of junk. Only a low-level loner CE character would bother with it, especially since it doesn't have an enhancement bonus.

If you want to tempt them with power, try offering something powerful.

Geoff.

 

[SylverFlame]

I like the role-playing aspect of the sword. Very cool. However, as many have mentioned, it is very low on in-game bonuses. If you're playing a "Theatre" style game, go with it. However, in a hack-and-slash game, I wouldn't even bother carrying it to sell.

If you add an enhancement bonus make it around +2 or so, tempting for a level 5 char if they're carrying around a lower power weapon.

Also, what if it incited frenzy (as a Barbarian) after having so much blood, as if it is drunk on the sensation. An immediate will save would be required to stop this and then the character would have to fight to bring themself out of it.

I'd nix the negative level and it should balance out there.

If the party insists on "vaulting" it then just have a drow or other powerful NPC come looking for it. New recurring villain is not a bad thing. Also, from a DM point of view, this could turn into an adventure hook on a massive scale. People coming out of the wood-work for the sword (which could be an artifact with 'amnesia') and the PC's just trying to destroy/get rid of it. Kind of cliche, but sometimes those are the best quests.

 

[TheDood]

Would adding a +1 or +2 modifier and having the bloodthirst property only affect that, so that the wounding property is always in effect. Would this make a more balanced weapon for a 5th level campaign with no magical items so far?

 

[SylverFlame]

I'd go with the +2 and limit bloodthirsty to it (like you said Dood). Again, I'd also get rid of the negative level.

Also, do you want this item around for a while? If so, then give it a level progression (for instance, when the wielder gets to level X then ability Y is added). Also, make it bond with its wielder. THis can be done in a number of ways. It could be purely role-playing:

SWORD: Of course I'm not an evil weapon intent on bathing the world in a floe of blood, gore, and all-around nastiness.

PC: Okie-doo!

Or it could be a mechanic where the PC is affected as if by a version of the Geas spell and must keep within a certain distance of the weapon. If you use this variant then I would DEFINITELY make the sword progress in power as the PC levels-up. If you check out the new Dragon (it has a succubus on the cover), there are interesting rules on temptation and redemption. This could be a great situation to use them (or a modified version as they are kind of clunky).

This should be an interesting story arch if you do use the sword. Good luck.