During DtoA the cleric in the party briefly wielded the Sword of Zariel. In the swords description, it says "Neither magic nor divine intervention can reverse this transformation."
The party went on to redeem Zariel, and complete the adventure. My question is, does that cleric retain all the traits, even though he no longer has the sword?
I don't think it is intended to be that way. The transformation is part of the attunement. If the sword is gone, the attunement finishes and all the effects and benefits stop as well.
Since it explicitly states that not even divine intervention can reverse the effect and the adventure foreshadows that whoever wields the sword will cease to exist...
I'm treating it as permanent. It's certainly written that way.
I think the onus is on the player to really adhere to the personality traits the Sword assigns them. If they do, I'd even go so far as to see if the affected characters would want to multi-class into hexblade warlock with the Sword as their patron.
If they don't adhere to their new personality, they lose the candy.
An argue that since you have to sacrifice yourself, it should be permanent, if it wouldnt be permanent i wouldnt call it sacrifice.
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Physics tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. They hate us, we hate them, they hate us back. And so, here we are, victims of mathematics!
"Neither magic nor divine intervention can reverse this transformation." That's pretty definite. Not exactly a lot of wiggle room for "what about" scenarios.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
During DtoA the cleric in the party briefly wielded the Sword of Zariel. In the swords description, it says "Neither magic nor divine intervention can reverse this transformation."
The party went on to redeem Zariel, and complete the adventure. My question is, does that cleric retain all the traits, even though he no longer has the sword?
I don't think it is intended to be that way. The transformation is part of the attunement. If the sword is gone, the attunement finishes and all the effects and benefits stop as well.
No, I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be permanent, so the new quality traits should remain even after you lose the sword.
Since it explicitly states that not even divine intervention can reverse the effect and the adventure foreshadows that whoever wields the sword will cease to exist...
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/bgdia/sword-of-zariel#ClaimingtheSword
I'd say it's permanent. Even if the sword was destroyed imho the changes would remain.
I'm treating it as permanent. It's certainly written that way.
I think the onus is on the player to really adhere to the personality traits the Sword assigns them. If they do, I'd even go so far as to see if the affected characters would want to multi-class into hexblade warlock with the Sword as their patron.
If they don't adhere to their new personality, they lose the candy.
I can see both sides, but I think it would be permanent.
Depending on who gets her sword, it could be a lot of fun storywise for their complete change.
An argue that since you have to sacrifice yourself, it should be permanent, if it wouldnt be permanent i wouldnt call it sacrifice.
Physics tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. They hate us, we hate them, they hate us back. And so, here we are, victims of mathematics!
- Londo Mollari
So my question on the topic is, what happens when a player becomes unworthy after having the sword?
"Neither magic nor divine intervention can reverse this transformation." That's pretty definite. Not exactly a lot of wiggle room for "what about" scenarios.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Arguably, that whole adventure is the answer to that very question.
In my campaign a minotaur PC attuned to the sword, making him a holy cow!