D&D General Sandbox style: Rumors say a +1 sword is in a cave nearby. Go get it?

[Reynard]

What it is isn’t the hook. That it’s there is the hook.

Kids these days.

Oh, no, what it is matters a whole lot. You know you will need that magic weapon eventually and if you have a line on one out the gate, you go after it.

 

[Guest 85555]

I would probably want to learn more about some of the other potential sites before making a decision

 

[Umbran]

You are fresh level 1 characters. You are playing in a sandbox style game. You have many options to explore. Caves and temples and whatever. Riches and glory and treasure no matter where you go.

One rumor says a cave full of monsters has a magic (+1) sword hidden somewhere inside. Is it worth it to you to seek out this sword? You are level 1 and have no magic items. Plus, who knows what's in the other areas to explore. It's JUST a +1 sword after all.

Would it make a difference if it was AD&D/OSR/Shadowdark etc?

Basically: Is it worth going out of the parties way to get JUST a +1 sword?

My PC should not know what a "+1 sword" is, and should not be making decisions based on game-rule information like that.

It would depend on how the sword, and the hazard associated with it, is described in-game and what other options are available at the time.

 

[Guest 85555]

My PC should not know what a "+1 sword" is, and should not be making decisions based on game-rule information like that.

It would entirely depends on how the sword, and the hazard associated with it, is described in-game and what other options are available at the time.

This is a good point. I assumed the GM wasn't revealing this but using vague language like "an enchanted sword"

 

[Reynard]

My PC should not know what a "+1 sword" is, and should not be making decisions based on game-rule information like that.

I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility for a person who has decided to take up the adventuring life to know about magic weapons and their utility, and even that some are more powerful than others. "+1 sword" is just short hand.

 

[DarkCrisis]

My PC should not know what a "+1 sword" is, and should not be making decisions based on game-rule information like that.

It would depend on how the sword, and the hazard associated with it, is described in-game and what other options are available at the time.

But you could assume that “a magic sword” is probably low level to suit your low level PC.

 

[Umbran]

This is a good point. I assumed the GM wasn't revealing this but using vague language like "an enchanted sword"

I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility for a person who has decided to take up the adventuring life to know about magic weapons and their utility, and even that some are more powerful than others. "+1 sword" is just short hand.

And I'm saying that, in playing a role, I am not responding to shorthand. In that role-play, the details matter.

It isn't like a +1 sword generates performance remarkable in and of itself. It should not, on its own merit, be a particularly legendary blade, or something that generates rumors.

 

[J-H]

Depending on the game world's economy, that +1 sword might be worth several years earnings.
"Risk your life for treasure?" is a question that throughout history some people answer with "Yes."

 

[J-H]

And I'm saying that, in playing a role, I am not responding to shorthand. In that role-play, the details matter.

It isn't like a +1 sword generates performance remarkable in and of itself. It should not, on its own merit, be a particularly legendary blade, or something that generates rumors.

My grandpappy says that his brother Earl was an adventurer. He went off and fought in the Grell Wars, and came home with a magic sword. People kept trying to steal it, so grandpappy said Earl hid it in a cave. Earl died a decade ago and gramps kind of forgot about it for a while. An owlbear family moved in a couple of years ago, and he thinks we're old enough to know about it and make our own choices. Do we want to go see if my great-uncle Earl's sword is still there? If it is, we could sell it, or Fred Strongarm could use it. Don't tell my mother.

Good?

 

[Zardnaar]

Depends on DM sale pitch. Specif magic blades tier 1 I've seen them have an extra d4 or d6 damage going back to 3E.

RAW you can get a single rare item iir tier 1 I. 5.5 so a gets back to DM. +1 sword in 5E is fine but woukd be wantimg hat rare blade tbh.

Older editions who cares. +1 swords fairly common.