Should I, or should I not (you be the DM)

[weem]

They really do have this attitude, not because I give them what they want, they just "expect" things to work out their way no matter what they do. I don't know why they think like that, but they do. I don't want to encourage it by doing something cheesy. Putting the sword back in the game won't be cheesy even if it is done creatively like people have suggested?

Hmmm... you could always go the other way. They could find out what it is and try attempt to get it back... but someone else could be working against them. It could end up in the wrong hands and used against them.

The fact is, it's easier for us DM's if the players don't die... or do find again the item that was the focus of the plot - and many players know this. So, every once in a while you hear it outloud in various ways... I am guilty myself as a player of saying, "I'm not worried, it's impossible to die in 4e" (despite having found out earlier that it can quickly happen after leaving a dying player in liquid we assumed was harmless - we thought we would simply rez him after the fight... but there was nothing left).

Anyway, there are things you can do creatively to combat this such - for example as I mentioned, using the weapon against them instead. The more you can react to them instead of locking in on an idea and not wanting to change it the better - not that I am accusing you of this, it's just a general statement. If they make a mistake that you feel jeopardizes the plot, or would require you to 'cheese' something to 'fix' the situation, try and think about those answers as options you don't have and focus on working around it in a way they won't expect.

Player: "you mean... the sword... is gone?... the BBEG has it?... your joking right?"...
DM: "Oh, I'm sorry, did you want it? I mean, it WAS broken remember?"

 

[pawsplay]

One of my players destroyed the object of their mission, the world's most valuable sapphire, with a poorly placed spell. My response was to make jokes about for weeks afterward. And by weeks, I mean more than two years.

 

[weem]

One of my players destroyed the object of their mission, the world's most valuable sapphire, with a poorly placed spell. My response was to make jokes about for weeks afterward. And by weeks, I mean more than two years.

Nice

I think those kinds of things are great, especially as a player... you were sooo close to something big... makes you work a lot harder and you get more determined than ever to not let anything slip next time, hehe.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I voted no but what I would likly do is that at some future date they are researching the BEEG and find a reference to the sword of Orcus and then realise that, that is what they had and now have to get before the bad guy gets it.
When they search they find that the parts are scattered and some reforeged into other things, etc. Let the fun begin

 

[Rechan]

Plus, all I ever see here anymore is bickering about editions & gaming styles, so I'm doing this as something new. Maybe more people would like to do this sort of thing and let Enworlders make campaign world decision for DMs?

Well, I have two threads right now asking for help with 1) Fleshing out my campaign/meta plot, and 2) working on the structure of a unique little mini-game/session. So nyah.

 

[TarionzCousin]

I think those kinds of things are great, especially as a player... you were sooo close to something big... makes you work a lot harder and you get more determined than ever to not let anything slip next time, hehe.

Exactly. If you give players the chance to fail, they don't feel like you're being a "pushover."

Ultimately, I believe it makes the game more fun.

Oh, but you also have to give them the chance to succeed.

 

[delericho]

He puts 2 & 2 together and realizes that sword he broke was the Sword of Orcus. He made a side remark about wanting to find that broken sword when they go back through the drow temple.

So my question is, should I allow him to find that broken sword?

Yes, you should allow them to find it.

Reforged, powered-up, and in the hands of a powerful new enemy.

Remember: when in doubt, "say yes". But you don't have to be nice about it.

 

[Pbartender]

I'd let him find one small piece of it -- maybe just a sliver of the shattered blade -- but no more.

Then, if he really wants, let him hunt for the remaining pieces. Perhaps the piece he has, like a dousing rod, can vaguely lead the way to the other bits. By the time he finds them, they've all been incorporated into new magic items...

A jewel from the pommel now adorns a magical ring. The greater part of the blade has been reforged into the studs on a suit of enchanted studded leather armor. A handful of small shards have been threaded through as a magical necklace. The leather straps used to wrap the hilt are now the laces for a pair of magical boots. And so on...

So now that he's gone through all the trouble of finding the parts, he has a tough choice: Keep the collected remade magic items? Or destroy them to reforge the sword?

 

[wedgeski]

I voted Yes. You're going to be letting a major opportunity slip through your fingers if you don't.

 

[Engilbrand]

1. The Sword of Orcus, Demon Prince of Undeath, broke on the chest of a slave.
2. The slave was killed.
3. The pieces of the broken sword were put into a closet with the dead slave.

I'm going to throw out what I see as the obvious answer: The Sword's magical powers of Undeath reanimated the slave and gave him immense power. He's no longer what he was. Bring him back as a Revenant or some type of Undead and give him a bunch of cool powers. Maybe Orcus invaded his body and is taking a more active role in things. The player can get back the Sword when he takes it from the cold, dead hands of a Demonic/Undead ex-slave and his army.