From: ilpopa@hydra.unm.edu (Archbishop of Rome)
Subject: Re: Sowrds of Sharpness and Incredible Constitution
Date: Fri, 02 Oct 92 21:12:41 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

In article <COVIN.92Oct1134356@despair.cs.uchicago.edu>, covin@tartarus.uchicago.edu (David Covin) writes:
> In article <6578@blue.cis.pitt.edu.UUCP> seawasp@vm2.cis.pitt.edu (Sea
> Wasp) writes:
> 
>    [ Re: giving powerful swords evil alignments ]
> 
> 	   Why do you place the weapon there at all then? No PC in their
>    right mind will use a weapon that is that nastily aligned, and that 
>    hurts them. Every PC in my campaigns that I can remember -- whether
>    one I was playing in or one I was running -- automatically tossed 
>    away or destroyed anything like that.
> 
> Actually, this is one of the things I *don't* like about (A)D&D.  In
> fantasy stories, it's common for heroes of all sorts to find powerful
> weapons which are either outright evil or at least unpleasant, but to
> use them anyway because they need a powerful weapon.  This is why
> Elric carried Stormbringer; why the Sword of Chaos was summoned on 
> Darkover, etc.  IMHO, it rarely makes sense for an intelligent sword
> to have a *good* alignment-- it's made to be a weapon, and that should
> affect its outlook.  At the very least, it's going to be a bit
> bloodthirsty.  Amoral or outright evil swords do make sense-- but why
> should such a weapon care who wields it, then, so long as it gets to
> kill?
> 
> I wouldn't have evil swords harm their wielders when they're *used*,
> unless the wielder is a paladin (maybe), or the sword is being used against
> its creator (maybe).  *Not* using an evil sword often enough might get
> you into trouble... And, of course, the damned thing will probably do
> its best to encourage fights.
> 
> Evil swords just lead to too many interesting roleplaying situations
> to banish them from PCs hands.  PCs should be subtly *encouraged* to
> use them.
> 
>    "The giants appear to have you surrounded."
>    "Damn.  Do you think they'll accept a surrender?"
>    "Souldrinker speaks in your head: 'Draw me.  I can take care of
> them...'"
>    "The last time I drew you, you tried to kill the rest of the party,
> as well!"
>    "'*Chuckle*.  Can I help it if I am... enthusiastic?  And-- do you
> have any other choice?  The giants will kill you otherwise.  If you're
> going to die anyway, at least let *me* have some fun...'"
> 
> --
> David Covin                           covin@despair.uchicago.edu


In my current campaign one of my players carries an intelligent Dagger +1, Luckblade with powers of flight, wizard eye, and Claws of the Umber Hulk.  It is
also NE and dedicated to killing Gnomes(the Umber Hulk Claws help penetrate 
those hard to get at Gnome Warrens).  The wielder is CN.  The main reason that
he hasn't destroyed the blade is that he is AFRAID of it.  He has some blood-
thirsty moments, but they pale in comparison  to GnomesBlood's.  It has been
very useful at times, but demands terrible mutilations to use any of the powers.
There is also the fact that Magic Items are very difficullt to destroy in my
world.

In any case, (was I ramblinng AGAIN?) evil blades are fun for a DM to play, much
more so than any altruistic or holy blade.  If a character is annoyed at an
intelligent sword, it can be fun, but the character just patronizes it and it ends.  If a character is terrified of the blade, but keeps it for fear of what it would do in the hands of a weaker will, this is enjoyable.  The character is
a mid-powered half-elf wild mage/priest of Zagyg stranded in Ravenloft with a
genocidal Luckblade.  Yes he borders on munchkin, and yes I watched him roll it, but you've not known joy until you have watched a munchkin go visibly pale in fear of his own overpowered blade.

later.
Il Popa
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