Hello all, I’m planning to run a 5e conversion of the old I6 module Ravenloft for Halloween. As I was reading through the text again today, it occurred to me that the Sunsword seems like it could be a point of contention between players. It’s pretty cool, after all, and seems likely to make the wielder the hero of the final battle with Strahd. Should I be worried about it?
Some background on my group: I have six players, four of whom are likely to build for the Sunsword. This will be a one-shot, played with characters made specially for it, and who will not be a part of our regular campaign. I have not had any significant problems with them arguing over possessions so far; they’re pretty good about compromising when necessary. I have one player who is relatively new, and I haven’t had a chance to see how fractious he is, though in his favor, he’s pretty thoughtful and gentle.
Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I hate disappointing my players, and obviously they can’t all have the artifact. It also doesn’t really seem fair to decide in advance who gets the awesome, legendary Sunsword, but I can’t think of any way to do it differently. Does anyone have advice?
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I live with several severe autoimmune conditions. If I don’t get back to you right away, it’s probably because I’m not feeling well.
When the time comes, let them talk it out. If all want the item and there is no compromise, make them roll for it. It's fair and you avoid being in the center of the discussion.
Let the characters come across it and decide in-character.
There's no reason for the DM to plan anything in advance.
Since it's a one-shot, they might even decide to fight each other to see who gets it.
I don't see any reason to "make them roll for it" - which is a player-mechanic, not a character-mechanic (unless one or more of the characters owns a set of dice).
When the time comes, let them talk it out. If all want the item and there is no compromise, make them roll for it. It's fair and you avoid being in the center of the discussion.
We got this item very early on in an Out of the Abyss game. At the time, all but one of the characters in the game could use the item (ranger, fighter, bladesinging wizard, and rogue), so we diced for it (the bladesinging wizard got it). It did annoy me somewhat, as I felt my fighter had a better claim on it (especially once level 5 and extra atack came along).
I think it is an immensely powerful item. We got it at level 3 and had someone still using that same item, and using it effectively, at level 15.
When the time comes, let them talk it out. If all want the item and there is no compromise, make them roll for it. It's fair and you avoid being in the center of the discussion.
We got this item very early on in an Out of the Abyss game. At the time, all but one of the characters in the game could use the item (ranger, fighter, bladesinging wizard, and rogue), so we diced for it (the bladesinging wizard got it). It did annoy me somewhat, as I felt my fighter had a better claim on it (especially once level 5 and extra atack came along).
I think it is an immensely powerful item. We got it at level 3 and had someone still using that same item, and using it effectively, at level 15.
I understand your frustration, but you guys weren't able to resolve in character. The DM should not have the burden of judge character/player disputes over in game items, rolling is just more reasonable altogether, because, although you felt like you had more claim, if the other characters did not felt as strongly towards the item as you, you would probably be able to resolve this in character.
Any choice that the DM takes, might put him/her on a uncomfortable spot that can hinder trust in the game - someone can think he/she is playing favorites and so on...
Perhaps reveal the sun blade has been broken into smaller pieces and made into other things. Each piece does part of what the blade does. Perhaps the cross guards have been used to make a hand crossbow with the ability that if you land a hit, the next attack on him has a +1 to hit and a +1 to damage.
The pommel could have been turned into a mace and if you have a successful hit, all melee attacks do an extra 1d4 - 1d4 damage.
Then blade could simply be +1 weapon.
The hilt could be a torch. It produces light but also allows the wielder to telepathically communicate with others.
You now have four weapons. I don't know how many players you have but you get the idea. When I hand out magical items, I like to make sure everyone gets one.
Since it is a one shot - I wouldn't worry about it. However, you should consider tossing in some other lesser magical weapons for the rest of the folks. If there is only one magical weapon of any kind then not only will the sunsword shine against vampires .. everyone else is doing 1/2 damage against some of the creatures since the creatures might have resistance to non-magical BPS damage.
Hello all, I’m planning to run a 5e conversion of the old I6 module Ravenloft for Halloween. As I was reading through the text again today, it occurred to me that the Sunsword seems like it could be a point of contention between players. It’s pretty cool, after all, and seems likely to make the wielder the hero of the final battle with Strahd. Should I be worried about it?
Some background on my group: I have six players, four of whom are likely to build for the Sunsword. This will be a one-shot, played with characters made specially for it, and who will not be a part of our regular campaign. I have not had any significant problems with them arguing over possessions so far; they’re pretty good about compromising when necessary. I have one player who is relatively new, and I haven’t had a chance to see how fractious he is, though in his favor, he’s pretty thoughtful and gentle.
Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I hate disappointing my players, and obviously they can’t all have the artifact. It also doesn’t really seem fair to decide in advance who gets the awesome, legendary Sunsword, but I can’t think of any way to do it differently. Does anyone have advice?
I live with several severe autoimmune conditions. If I don’t get back to you right away, it’s probably because I’m not feeling well.
When the time comes, let them talk it out. If all want the item and there is no compromise, make them roll for it. It's fair and you avoid being in the center of the discussion.
Let the characters come across it and decide in-character.
There's no reason for the DM to plan anything in advance.
Since it's a one-shot, they might even decide to fight each other to see who gets it.
I don't see any reason to "make them roll for it" - which is a player-mechanic, not a character-mechanic (unless one or more of the characters owns a set of dice).
We got this item very early on in an Out of the Abyss game. At the time, all but one of the characters in the game could use the item (ranger, fighter, bladesinging wizard, and rogue), so we diced for it (the bladesinging wizard got it). It did annoy me somewhat, as I felt my fighter had a better claim on it (especially once level 5 and extra atack came along).
I think it is an immensely powerful item. We got it at level 3 and had someone still using that same item, and using it effectively, at level 15.
I understand your frustration, but you guys weren't able to resolve in character. The DM should not have the burden of judge character/player disputes over in game items, rolling is just more reasonable altogether, because, although you felt like you had more claim, if the other characters did not felt as strongly towards the item as you, you would probably be able to resolve this in character.
Any choice that the DM takes, might put him/her on a uncomfortable spot that can hinder trust in the game - someone can think he/she is playing favorites and so on...
Perhaps reveal the sun blade has been broken into smaller pieces and made into other things. Each piece does part of what the blade does. Perhaps the cross guards have been used to make a hand crossbow with the ability that if you land a hit, the next attack on him has a +1 to hit and a +1 to damage.
The pommel could have been turned into a mace and if you have a successful hit, all melee attacks do an extra 1d4 - 1d4 damage.
Then blade could simply be +1 weapon.
The hilt could be a torch. It produces light but also allows the wielder to telepathically communicate with others.
You now have four weapons. I don't know how many players you have but you get the idea. When I hand out magical items, I like to make sure everyone gets one.
Lots of good points made. I have a lot to think about. Thanks everybody!
I live with several severe autoimmune conditions. If I don’t get back to you right away, it’s probably because I’m not feeling well.
Since it is a one shot - I wouldn't worry about it. However, you should consider tossing in some other lesser magical weapons for the rest of the folks. If there is only one magical weapon of any kind then not only will the sunsword shine against vampires .. everyone else is doing 1/2 damage against some of the creatures since the creatures might have resistance to non-magical BPS damage.