(yet another) Vow of Poverty and Intelligent items

[Coredump]

(okay, IMO...)

There is nothing in the VoP that would not let you touch/pick up a item. Doesn't matter if it is a magic sword, a masterwork shield, or a gem encrusted necklace. You are not allowed to own any of these things, but they do not burn you ala cross/vampire. How else is one to get his share of the gold from where they are back to the town to help out the poor?

Now, it would not be wrong to carry the magic armor back, it would be wrong to wear the magic armor back.

Likewise, while it would be wrong to use the magic sword, it would not be wrong to pick it up, and even to draw it and look at it.

 

[James McMurray]

Note that the VoP says that you can never use a magic item. Going strictly by the rules, this mans tht you can never use a magic item. Even if that item is an intelligent item that is begging you to use it. If a character were magically forced to use an item, I would not even think about removing their vow benefits. But if a character tried to use an item and then say "but it asked me to use it" I would strip that feat in a heartbeat.

Likewise, of a character is using an item to benefit someone else, I'm fine with that, even though it violates the VoP as written.

Carrying things is fine, otherwise its pretty hard for the character to take their share of the treasure into town to give it to the poor.