Use Magic Device and Libram of X Magic

[James McMurray]

The various Libram's in the Epic Level Handbook (artifacts) grant an inherent bonus to a stat and enough Xp to advance a level if read by an arcane spellcaster of the approriate alignment. They punish non-arcane readers and readers of the wrong alignments.

My question is this: could a rogue with Use Magic device emulate the proper alignment and arcane casting ability in order to gain the benefits of one of these tomes.

If not, I've got a secondary question: could an arcane caster of the wrong alignment use the skill to emulate the proper alignment, thus gining the benefits?

Any help is appreciated, and please explain your answers (rather than just giving a simple yes or no.

Thanks!

 

[Grendel303]

As far as the Alignment part of it goes, yes. Even the PHB mentions in it's example of Use Magic Device that the Iconic Rogue could handle a Book of Vile Darkness without loosing xp. As far as gaining the benefits of it... I'd personally have to say no. The main idea of the skill seems to be geared for using items that have an overall item function. I just seem to think that there is a difference between typical magic items and tomes in their overall function. So I'd say yes you can handle or read the book without penality, but you wouldn't be able to get the benefits of it. That would really overpower the skill. It's one thing as it is to have rogues running around with Time Stop, Wish, and True Ressurection Scrolls as it is.

 

[Dimwhit]

I would say yes. Two rolls would be required: one for Emulate Spell Ability (or something like that), and one for Emulate Alignment (which is the toughest DC). The whole purpose of UMD is to allow a Rogue to basically trick an item into thinking he's something he's not. In this case, a spell caster of a certain alignment. It's an excellent use. Keep in mind that if the book has to be read over a period of time, multiple Emulate Alignment rolls may be necessary. (I think I read somewhere that for ongoing items the roll has to be done every hour - not sure where I read this.)

The only reason I could think for not allowing a Rogue to do this is that it's an artifact and shouldn't be so easily fooled. I don't agree, but you could always either bump up the DC or give the artifact a Will save or something. But I would let the Rogue try it, personally.

 

[James McMurray]

So far that's one for and one against. Thanks guys! Anyone else care to chime in?

 

[Skinwalker]

I'd agree with the multiple checks needed due to the prolonged period of time it takes to read and use the book properly. This alone may cause a character it is designed to harm to put it down while they're ahead (e.g., haven't lost XP etc.)

If the checks are actually successful, yeah, IMO give 'em the benefits. The took the risk, they should get the reward. An arcane caster truly stands to benefit, as is appropriate for the item. A rogue may have mixed emotions, though. He gets a free level, yes, but it has to be in an arcane spellcasting class. This may cause future XP problems due to multiclassing, and in any case likely diverts the character from his planned level progression path.

 

[Trickstergod]

To a degree, a magic item has a few generic triggers, ways of activation, and, to a slight degree, methods of detection activated upon its users that let it know to benefit or penalize users of certain classes or alignments. These are semi-generic because the items are constructed using a similar methodology; while there may be a difference between Joe Wizards Bracers of Armor +4, and Jane Wizards Bracers of Armor +4, they're still essentially the same.

As such, a Rogue with Use Magic Device has something to work with, a certain degree of uniformity that allows them to make educated guesses while trying to get something to work for them.

That, however, is not the case with artifacts. They may not always be quite unique, but they're rare, and near impossible to replicate. There's really nothing generic about them, nothing that lets one "fake it" when trying to use them. They're not magic items in certain senses of the word, but are in a class of their own.

I might be willing to let a Rogue Use Magic Device to avoid any adverse effects from short-term contact with an artifact (and only short term), but any attempts other than that "Oh crap I'd best put this down while I still can!" would require the ability to fool a god. In other words, outside of Epic-level ranks in Use Magic Device, I wouldn't allow a Rogue to attempt using an artifact (if then).

Furthermore, I'd say anyone who successfully Uses Magic Device against an artifact should have a Mordenkainen's Disjunction-like effect happen, where an powerful entity tied to the artifact is going to show up, likely rather pissed, for the artifact having been fooled around with.

 

[green slime]

I agree with Dimwhit.

However, the description says that you may only benefit from reading this tome or similar, once ever. I take that to mean all the Librams of arcane spellcasting.

I'd modify the DC's so as not to be quite so easy, but still, pretty much of a cake walk for an Epic character.

Roll twice every hour, 8 hours a day, for a week.
1) DC 30 (20+artifact level item, just call it me being mean) to emulate spell ability.
2) DC 40 (30+ artifact level item, me being mean again) to avoid the 1d4+1 permanent Con drain. This isn't really a problem for any character.

DC30, is achievable by 20th level, 23 ranks, +5 stat mod, + an item of some sort.

 

[Sejs]

For.

Multiple checks required, as you're trying to emulate multiple criteria.