When do Artifact effects apply?

[Wormwood]

The party found an artifact, but they don't trust it---so rather than use it, one of the PCs just stuffed it in the bottom of his backpack until they can pass it on to its rightful owner. Nobody has used the item.

My question is, since nobody is 'using' the artifact, should its Concordance effects (positive or negative) apply to anyone?

I ask because *if* I were tracking Concordance, the PC carrying the item is about to bring the artifact from its default Normal into Unsatisfied, which would impose some penalties.

Thanks

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

It is entirely up to you, but artifacts are pretty powerful and I would say in general rather "egotistical". I don't think the artifact will LIKE being ignored. Even if it can't affect a PC while its just being carted around there are things it may well be able to do. Just at a basic level it could scream bloody murder and make such a pain of itself that it might be less trouble to wield it rather than cart it around.

I'd also think that the powers of the artifact should be tempting enough that someone is going to start coveting it and want to use it. Perhaps it can even mentally influence one of the PCs and encourage them (through RP) to give it a try. It may even be able to do something like force a PC to wield it.

On the other hand it could be capable of betraying the party if they ignore it. Wouldn't it be a shame if the thing decided to teleport into the hands of some nasty opponent?

Remember, artifacts are about BREAKING the rules (or at least bending them). They have story power and don't have to be bound by any of the normal rules.

 

[On Puget Sound]

If a merchant had found it and tossed it in a wagon full of miscellaneous junk, I would treat it as "not found" even though it was carted around by the merchant. But these are adventurers; the artifact should be calling to them or bending reality to find its way into their hands... or if they are unsuitable (as shown by their cowardice), arranging to be stolen or lost so that it can find someone appropriate.

However, if the rightful owner IS where the artifact wants to go, it should be willing to behave while they transport it back... but it should at least have a conversation with them about it.

 

[DracoSuave]

The party found an artifact, but they don't trust it---so rather than use it, one of the PCs just stuffed it in the bottom of his backpack until they can pass it on to its rightful owner. Nobody has used the item.

My question is, since nobody is 'using' the artifact, should its Concordance effects (positive or negative) apply to anyone?

I ask because *if* I were tracking Concordance, the PC carrying the item is about to bring the artifact from its default Normal into Unsatisfied, which would impose some penalties.

Thanks

Absolutely Concordance applies. It's an -Artifact- not just a sword +1. This thing is a gorram plot device, and clearly more important than a mere MacGuffin. Ignoring an Artifact has its penalties. Now, if the party goes 'Well, we don't want to use it, it's EeeeeEEEeeeevil' then penalties are -appropriate- to apply, as it seeks out the one who it will choose as its user.

Not only should penalties apply, but there could even be encounters that exist -only to show the object is attracting its owner by the threads of fate.-

Eventually, some street thief will steal it, the party won't be able to stop it (Stop a dissatisfied artifact from leaving? The DC for that is set for whatever tier is after epic, I'd wager.) and then it'll get used against them by the eventual big bad.

If you'd meant for it as an artifact for good, well, if they don't want it, you can't really force them to use it, apply concordance, but have the party -choose- the next bearer, agents of the item's fate.


As for figuring out what an artifact is for, it really shouldn't be hard. Artifacts exist to do something, and that purpose is the stuff of legends. Figuring out legends isn't too tough.