Character Sheets for Magic Weapons

[brainszine]

Since all magic weapons are unique in DCC, a character sheet could be employed. Mine looks like this:

Name:
Plus/Type:
Intelligence:
Alignment:
Bane:
Communication:
Special Purpose:
Special Powers:
(Portrait)

I think it should be distributed blank, and the player can fill in the details of the weapon's magic as they are uncovered. This would add some suspense, rather than doing a 'data dump' on the player and ruining the mystery and fun of uncovering your magic sword's special powers.

Some characteristics can be learned immediately upon gripping a magic weapon by its handle, depending on its level of communication:

No Communication – Only the type of weapon is obvious. All other magical characteristics must be learned in-play.

Simple Urges – The weapon expresses its bane (but not the effect when battling bane) and special purpose to anyone who wields it.

Empathy – The weapon expresses its plus, alignment, bane (but not the effect when battling bane), special purpose, and the number and types of special powers it has (but no further details).

Speech and/or Telepathy – The weapon can express its name, plus, alignment, bane and effect when battling bane, special purpose, and all its special powers in full detail; But the weapon may choose to lie or say nothing at all if this furthers its special purpose or gives a strategic advantage against its bane. (For example, an angel-bane sword might try to lie to a Lawful cleric to avoid being destroyed.)

If a magic weapon doesn't or can't express its characteristics upon gripping it by the handle, the remaining must be discovered in-game. For example, you learn a weapon's plus upon first use in combat; A weapon's intelligence is learned upon the first ego check; If you wield a sword that grants the ability to speak Thieves' Cant, you learn this upon overhearing thieves speaking in that language. Thus, some special powers could be overlooked by careless players, and knowledge of a weapon's magic powers could become the goal of future quests.

Character sheets for magic weapons! Down with generic magic items!

[brainszine]

Bare-bones version:

[Fenris Ulfhamr]

That's a great idea- I'm on it!

[Ravenheart87]

Good idea, but you waste a lot of space for short values and lables. Plus & Type, Intelligence, Alignment can be easily put in a single row.

[brainszine]

Second draft:

[brainszine]

I don't really like the terminology "Plus & Type" but can't think of a better way to put it...

[Fenris Ulfhamr]

How about "dweomer", as per the old spell analyze dweomer? After all, with "plus and type" aren't we asking what type and degree of enchantment the weapon has?

[Ravenheart87]

Much better. Heck if you could make the two columns symmetric they could be two sides of a card.