Elric & Stormbringer
by Piotr Jablonski*
Sentient weapons and magic items should be like an annoying NPC
With great power comes a great lists of spurious demands. No matter if the object contains a true soul or is more similar to an arcane AI. Jennell Jaquays had great magic items like Tim the Fish Amulet with a great personality and several items in The Dark Tower, which had their own goals. And of course, Stormbringer is a character all its own in the Elric saga.
To me, a sentient weapon is not human. It understands its own purpose very well and desires to execute above all else, all the time. It finds it very hard to relate to its human welders. If for some reason it can relate, well most likely it was human at some point and that usually means a lot of baggage. I mean just look at vampires- they were once human too.
There can be positive benefits too. It might be that adorning the weapon or building a shrine could attract attention from other factions. Maybe knight errants come to kneel at an alter to the sword and offer a week of service. Maybe when traveling, the PC increases the disposition of neighboring towns towards the party as rumors of the sacred Mirror of Stars- perhaps even the queen seeks to know her baby's fortune.
Below are d20 such demands to be rolled during downtime periods. The request must be performed during the following downtime. If not, roll on the hireling negotiation table. Should they be ignored, a magic weapon will be just +1 and will refuse to perform any but innate functions. After all, the great Sword of the Sky is no mere rapier! Its not meant to just hang about your person like 50' of rope or that thuggish crowbar!
Demands of Sentient Weapons (& Perhaps Of Other Intelligent Objects)
I should be oiled or polished with expensive agents
Fancy display case or scabbard of rare materials
I wish to be paraded
I wish to be better known
I should be utilized 3 times next delve
I desire to walk around in your body, let me possess you
A change in scenery is needed; we should travel to the next town
You must carouse with me; excitement is needed
You should commission a poem about me
I should be housed for a week in a place of worship aligned to my purpose
Your skill is weak- practice with me 1d3 weeks (PC cannot adventure)
The king/lord must hear of my exploits, seek an audience and tell them
Three foes should be struck down by me
You should appreciate my other talents (only use innate or non-combat talents)
You should know my history and place in the centuries, find it!
You only need me and no other protection! (Wear no armor)
Announce me with vigor! (All to-hit attempts are prefaced by a player battle cry)
Your vestments should match my regalness and you should bear my icon.
Your flesh shall rot, I am eternal- designate who shall bear me when you die
You are an adequate bearer, nothing is needed…today.
Knock. Give it.
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