I'm prepping an adventure for a party of three 1st-level PCs, and all of the players are (mostly) new to the game. I know that magic items are definitely not common things to give players at 1st or 2nd level, but I had an idea for a fun one (it won't really affect combat in any way), mostly just to help stock a room in the dungeon the characters will be working towards.
Anyway, the item is just a simple book with blank pages, and a note tied to the book written by the creator explains that its original purpose was to transcribe the reader's thoughts onto the pages just by them willing it, but something went wrong in the enchanting process (he was drunk) and so the actual effects are not at all what intended. The recipient of the book thought it was funny so the wizard sent it anyway, but the note tells whoever finds it to "burn this embarrassing product of mine upon receiving it so as not to stain my reputation".
And whoever opens the book is subject to one random effect of eight, just harmless nonsense like "extremely powerful confetti blasts you to the ground" or "a hand slowly emerges from the pages, gently grabs your nose and won't let go". All of these effects wear off in a few minutes.
My players are really excited for their first adventure and I think it's something they'll will have fun with. But is it just stupid? I'm a semi-new DM so I'm not sure if "discovery of a useless, comical magic item that does nothing to advance the story" is taboo or not.
This is not stupid, it's playful. I think that's a good lesson to reinforce with mostly new players. It teaches them that magic can do all kinds of unexpected things and that not every item is useful. It sets a tone that you can continue with over the course of play. Totally fine!
Just be ready for them to take it and prank others :)
not a stupid idea at all, it sounds great. I created the Bag of Wondrous Randomization as a joke, with a few "inside jokes" to my current group I'm DMing and it's fantastic. I definitely have what would be considered game-breaking items in there for a party of level 3-4 characters, but also have no regrets in doing it. Remember it's your game, if someone who isn't in your game thinks it's dumb/stupid it's all good because they don't have to use it and it's not breaking their game/taking away their fun.
This sounds exciting, especially for low-level characters with players new to the game. It helps, as Agile_DM said, to reinforce that magic does not have to be serious and rigid. Have fun with it!
About Me: Godless monster in human form bent on extending their natural life to unnatural extremes /general of the goose horde /Moderator of Vinstreb School for the Gifted /holder of the evil storyteller badge of no honor /king of madness /The FBI/ The Archmage of I CAST...!
Alignment: Lawful Evil
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I'm prepping an adventure for a party of three 1st-level PCs, and all of the players are (mostly) new to the game. I know that magic items are definitely not common things to give players at 1st or 2nd level, but I had an idea for a fun one (it won't really affect combat in any way), mostly just to help stock a room in the dungeon the characters will be working towards.
Anyway, the item is just a simple book with blank pages, and a note tied to the book written by the creator explains that its original purpose was to transcribe the reader's thoughts onto the pages just by them willing it, but something went wrong in the enchanting process (he was drunk) and so the actual effects are not at all what intended. The recipient of the book thought it was funny so the wizard sent it anyway, but the note tells whoever finds it to "burn this embarrassing product of mine upon receiving it so as not to stain my reputation".
And whoever opens the book is subject to one random effect of eight, just harmless nonsense like "extremely powerful confetti blasts you to the ground" or "a hand slowly emerges from the pages, gently grabs your nose and won't let go". All of these effects wear off in a few minutes.
My players are really excited for their first adventure and I think it's something they'll will have fun with. But is it just stupid? I'm a semi-new DM so I'm not sure if "discovery of a useless, comical magic item that does nothing to advance the story" is taboo or not.
Thanks for any and all help/opinions!
This is not stupid, it's playful. I think that's a good lesson to reinforce with mostly new players. It teaches them that magic can do all kinds of unexpected things and that not every item is useful. It sets a tone that you can continue with over the course of play. Totally fine!
Just be ready for them to take it and prank others :)
not a stupid idea at all, it sounds great. I created the Bag of Wondrous Randomization as a joke, with a few "inside jokes" to my current group I'm DMing and it's fantastic. I definitely have what would be considered game-breaking items in there for a party of level 3-4 characters, but also have no regrets in doing it. Remember it's your game, if someone who isn't in your game thinks it's dumb/stupid it's all good because they don't have to use it and it's not breaking their game/taking away their fun.
How do you get a one-armed goblin out of a tree?
Wave!
This sounds exciting, especially for low-level characters with players new to the game. It helps, as Agile_DM said, to reinforce that magic does not have to be serious and rigid. Have fun with it!
this is a great idea
Pronouns: Any/All
About Me: Godless monster in human form bent on extending their natural life to unnatural extremes /general of the goose horde /Moderator of Vinstreb School for the Gifted /holder of the evil storyteller badge of no honor /king of madness /The FBI/ The Archmage of I CAST...!
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Fun Fact: i gain more power the more you post on my forum threads. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!