The True Vorpal Weapon

[Rackhir]

100% agreed!

I think that might be the hook that I'm looking for to be able to bring that character back into play. I need to develop the backstory and have the intent of the sword's existence start to become known... I think this is going to be a long term campaign project. I don't want to rush this.

Is The Swordbearer part of The Black Company stories? If so, I've been wanting to read some of them and that might be the book I start with.

No the Swordbearer is not part of the Black Company series, but it is a very, very good book. One of my favorites by Mr. Cook. The Black Company books are also excellent for the most part (some of the later books of the south drag a bit though), but the first 5 books (The Black Company, Shadows Linger, The White Rose, Shadow Games, Dreams of Steel) are some of the best fantasy novels ever written. They are also reprinting the Garret Books which are terrific as well.

 

[Mistwell]

There is also a newish type of items that falls between magic items and artifacts, called relics. Relics are very rare but there can be more than one, and they only function in a "special" way when wielded by someone who worships the deity the relic is devoted to and is of the appropriate level, or someone who has a special feat.

There are a good number of relics in the Magic Item Compendium.

I think a normal vorpal sword that functions without the crit confirm would be fine as a relic. The cost of a feat to gain the "no crit confirm" power is probably OK, for this unique situation.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

No the Swordbearer is not part of the Black Company series, but it is a very, very good book. One of my favorites by Mr. Cook. The Black Company books are also excellent for the most part (some of the later books of the south drag a bit though), but the first 5 books (The Black Company, Shadows Linger, The White Rose, Shadow Games, Dreams of Steel) are some of the best fantasy novels ever written. They are also reprinting the Garret Books which are terrific as well.

Thanks for this information. When I get a chance to read some novels, these will likely be on my list.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

There is also a newish type of items that falls between magic items and artifacts, called relics. Relics are very rare but there can be more than one, and they only function in a "special" way when wielded by someone who worships the deity the relic is devoted to and is of the appropriate level, or someone who has a special feat.

There are a good number of relics in the Magic Item Compendium.

I think a normal vorpal sword that functions without the crit confirm would be fine as a relic. The cost of a feat to gain the "no crit confirm" power is probably OK, for this unique situation.

Thanks. I don't have the Magic Item Compendium, yet. It's on the list, too.

As to the requirement that the relic has regarding worship... That won't work for this fighter. That character was never really devoted to any god. Rather, he was allied with the side of good but didn't revere any god above another.

I looked at the epic feats in the SRD, last night. There's not even an epic feat to automatically confirm a critical (at least none that I found). Such a feat would be much higher level than this fighter could qualify for. In AD&D, he was 18th level and I'm not sure where that fits in in the 3.5 levelling system.

 

[thegreyman]

Here's the Item you need to find...
Flesh Ring of Scorn. It's in both the Magic Item Compendium and the Book of Vile Darkness. The MIC one is more balanced, but both are awesome for this. Both are relatively cheap too.

 

[Drowbane]

You're the DM? Just hand wave it "Vorpal works like...".

 

[Storme]

Just get a regular vorpal sword and get an item made that casts a melee version of Hunter's Mercy.

HUNTER’S MERCY
Transmutation
Level: Ranger 1
Components: S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round
Your eyes glow red, but you see the world as
normal except when you look at your target.
A small glowing dot reveals the creature’s
weakest point.
This transmutation makes a bow
strike true. Your first hit with a bow
(not including crossbows) in the next
round is automatically a critical hit. If
you don’t hit in the round following
the casting of this spell, the effect is
wasted.

Get with your DM and ask him if it's allowable. It will be entirely up to him.

 

[Thurbane]

Permanent True Strike that only counts towards confirming criticials perhaps?

There is one spell that allows you to auto confirm a critical - Wish!

PS - I always get a quiet chuckle at the "check with your DM" answers, as often the OP has not stated that he is a player, and not the DM himself.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

Here's the Item you need to find...
Flesh Ring of Scorn. It's in both the Magic Item Compendium and the Book of Vile Darkness. The MIC one is more balanced, but both are awesome for this. Both are relatively cheap too.

Thank you. I have the BOVD. I'll check it out, this week.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

You're the DM? Just hand wave it "Vorpal works like...".

Yes. I'm the DM and I could hand-wave it, but I was looking for a way to do it without changing the rules (too much).

One thought (along the lines of hand-waving) was that I could create a "Greater Vorpal" or "True Vorpal" weapon quality that was a step up from the regular vorpal weapon. Though, I'd still want to come up with a "recipe" that a character could use to build/craft/make one.

Thankfully, it looks like the idea of the return of this fighter w/the AD&D Vorpal Weapon has been delayed long enough to consider many options.