Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site busch.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!ihnp4!mgnetp!we53!busch!mte From: mte@busch.UUCP (Moshe Eliovson) Newsgroups: net.games.frp Subject: Re: Inanimate ego/intelligence Message-ID: <452@busch.UUCP> Date: Thu, 11-Jul-85 11:32:40 EDT Article-I.D.: busch.452 Posted: Thu Jul 11 11:32:40 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 13-Jul-85 08:15:31 EDT References: <122@uts.am.reading.UUCP> Organization: Anheuser-Busch Companies - St. Louis Missouri Lines: 79 Summary: Possible Solutions and Remarks > I have long been amused by the rather foolish sword ego rules in > AD&D, but have recently been unfortunate enuff to play under a DM > who takes them seriously. Here is my plea for help! While I can certainly understand your frustration, giving swords attributes goes right along with their magical abilities. You can't say well I want the good stuff alone, and if the sword's alignment is the same as your own you're in great shape if the DM is creative enough to play it like the friend it is. This can become quite an asset if you're both of the same alignment, since the sword will: a) if it's ego is weaker - it will worship you b) if it's stronger it will of course berate you for your weakness but might possibly carry you to higher levels (if it's magical properties are strong enough). > The question: > > Obviously I would like to believe that ego items can only influence > their "owners" if actually on the person of the victim. Thus, the > means of control is the threat of 19 points of damage per segment! Is this correct? The shock is supposed to be the DIFFERENCE between both your egos. > This implies that even telepathic items cannot read minds (but use > mental "radio waves" to contact others) and so the item cannot know > (but could guess - it is intelligent after all) what the user is thinking. The sword is not psychic unless one of it's abilities is empathy, esp, or something... but it can certainly be aware of your actions. > But at least the user can attempt to overthrow the yoke of oppression, > just as a 'humble +1 sword can be a vocal martyr' (sword ego rules), > so the unfortunate character can try to oppose the item, making > insubordinate comments, attempting to walk into anti-magic shells etc. That might work but I wouldn't give your DM that option. That makes anti-magic shell very, very powerful. > > Would a Chaotic/Neutral sword (most seem to presume items are absolutely > faithful to their alignment) 'possess' another C/N when freedom from > abitrary restriction seems to be a fundamental axiom of the chaotic > nature? > A sword of the same alignment and goals should start off as a friend, unless the sword has a history (like being left rusting in a dungeon for years) and has its own ideas. The definition of chaotic allows the sword to possess you although I'm not sure I'd rule that way. From your character's history it sounds like your DM has been royally screwing you. I have two sample solutions. 1) Find a higher level chaotic and let the sword choose between you. If the sword doesn't like this one try another... 2) You are absolutely right. Tell the DM that your character being a true chaotic has now gone out of his mind. He is quite insane. Note that insanity precludes many psionic attacks and the like (mind control etc.). If the DM says that the sword now controls your body he's ripped. The sword will now leave you alone and try to find another wielder. If your party has any brains they will get you a Restoration spell. Note: don't let your DM get away with having the sword Heal your insanity!! Make sure you define your problem as very deep and connected with the sword. Having the sword Heal you, even if it worked, would cause an AUTOMATIC relapse! Some forms of Insanity can only be cured by Restoration so you do have something to found this on. Hope this is helpful, UltraChaos Forever - Moshe Eliovson {allegra, ihnp4}!we53!busch!mte