Identifying artifacts? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Identifying artifacts?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
shnik
Dec 08, 2004 11:31:46 Is there any way to identify an artifact? The spells identify and analyse dweomer say they can't be used for such a task, and to look in the DMG for more info on artifacts. But the DMG doesn't mention anything about identifying them. Is trial and error really the only way to go with artifacts? Some special abilities could potentially never be found if that were the case.
#2
Sysane
Dec 08, 2004 12:51:10 Bardic lore or an epic level spell or skill check?
#3
Mortepierre
Dec 08, 2004 16:46:56 Legend Lore would do the trick but you'll get hints or riddles at best. Guess no quick way around it. You have to pore over old books for days. Then again, it gives something to do to the wizard of the party :D

EDIT: Artifacts all having an history, it seems only logical that their appearance, powers, etc.. have been recorded somewhere. Finding those records is part of the fun of having one at your disposal.
#4
zombiegleemax
Dec 08, 2004 23:51:19
Legend Lore would do the trick but you'll get hints or riddles at best. Guess no quick way around it. You have to pore over old books for days. Then again, it gives something to do to the wizard of the party

Exactly! Just look at the Staff of Magius, wherever it may be at this point. Rasitlin had it for years and was never able to unlock all it's secrets. The DLCS or AoM says that it appears to lend each user certain abilities/powers. Maybe the artifact your PCs have will not demonstrate the same powers that it has in the past. That's the fun of artifacts, you never know exactly what you're getting.
#5
shakedown47
Dec 09, 2004 10:25:01 Ask a deity or an outsider, they might know.
#6
shnik
Dec 13, 2004 22:07:46 So... What about magical auras? No major artifact has an aura strength/type mentioned... What happens when a player casts detect magic on one of these?
#7
cam_banks
Dec 13, 2004 22:53:40
So... What about magical auras? No major artifact has an aura strength/type mentioned... What happens when a player casts detect magic on one of these?

Overwhelming.

Cheers,
Cam
#8
zombiegleemax
Dec 13, 2004 23:17:27 The way I've always played it was even those not sensitive to magic (wizards, sorcerers, clerics, etc.), like fighters, barbarians, rogues, commoners, etc. can "feel" the power contained within an artifact. So when someone sensitive to magic just holds one it's an almost orgasmic experience, let alone detecting magic or identifying the item. That's just a house rule that my group uses.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 shnik Dec 08, 2004 11:31:46	Is there any way to identify an artifact? The spells identify and analyse dweomer say they can't be used for such a task, and to look in the DMG for more info on artifacts. But the DMG doesn't mention anything about identifying them. Is trial and error really the only way to go with artifacts? Some special abilities could potentially never be found if that were the case.
#2 Sysane Dec 08, 2004 12:51:10	Bardic lore or an epic level spell or skill check?
#3 Mortepierre Dec 08, 2004 16:46:56	Legend Lore would do the trick but you'll get hints or riddles at best. Guess no quick way around it. You have to pore over old books for days. Then again, it gives something to do to the wizard of the party :D EDIT: Artifacts all having an history, it seems only logical that their appearance, powers, etc.. have been recorded somewhere. Finding those records is part of the fun of having one at your disposal.
#4 zombiegleemax Dec 08, 2004 23:51:19	Legend Lore would do the trick but you'll get hints or riddles at best. Guess no quick way around it. You have to pore over old books for days. Then again, it gives something to do to the wizard of the party Exactly! Just look at the Staff of Magius, wherever it may be at this point. Rasitlin had it for years and was never able to unlock all it's secrets. The DLCS or AoM says that it appears to lend each user certain abilities/powers. Maybe the artifact your PCs have will not demonstrate the same powers that it has in the past. That's the fun of artifacts, you never know exactly what you're getting.
#5 shakedown47 Dec 09, 2004 10:25:01	Ask a deity or an outsider, they might know.
#6 shnik Dec 13, 2004 22:07:46	So... What about magical auras? No major artifact has an aura strength/type mentioned... What happens when a player casts detect magic on one of these?
#7 cam_banks Dec 13, 2004 22:53:40	So... What about magical auras? No major artifact has an aura strength/type mentioned... What happens when a player casts detect magic on one of these? Overwhelming. Cheers, Cam
#8 zombiegleemax Dec 13, 2004 23:17:27	The way I've always played it was even those not sensitive to magic (wizards, sorcerers, clerics, etc.), like fighters, barbarians, rogues, commoners, etc. can "feel" the power contained within an artifact. So when someone sensitive to magic just holds one it's an almost orgasmic experience, let alone detecting magic or identifying the item. That's just a house rule that my group uses.