Dual Identity Magic Item or Magic Weapon

[kid america]

Dual Identity Magic Item or Magic Weapon

I have the idea for a magic item or magic weapon that some may think is cursed, and others might find a boon.

The idea is there is a secondary trigger/effect to a magic item or magic weapon. Say when the weapon rolls a critical hit, or the item uses a certain number of charges. At that moment the player using the item activates a secondary effect that causes them to switches places with another personality trapped inside the item/weapon. The other personality that is released could be an NPC, creature, or a 2nd PC the player gets to create and run.

So the gist of the idea is that at random moments the two personalities can possibly switch places in the middle of combat, a skill challenge, or role-playing encounter.

Eventually the magic item or magic weapon would lead to it's own adventure where the curse has to be broken to free the two personalities.

Has anyone come across a GM who has used this idea in a game? Or have you been a player who got caught in such a predicament? And if you have how did it turn out ingame?

Please let me know.

[zylphryx]

First thought, if it is not an alternate PC controlled by the player, then you will want to give the player a Willpower save or something similar. Also you would want your players (or at least the one) to have an alternate PC if it is an NPC personality that takes control. Either way, you will want to be sure the player is completely aware of this aspect of the item, especially if it is an alternate PC personality and if it is a campaign hook.

Additionally, what comes of the possessing spirit if it is in control of the body and the body is slain?

Interesting idea, but it has some very sticky possibilities.

[kid america]

Thanks for the feedback.

That was also what I was looking for. Things that might be sticking points, or possible problems that might come up.

I would most definitely discuss it with the player who would be using the item.

[kid america]

Here is how I thought the dual identity magic item would work in and out of game.

Out of game I asked the whole group/party if they would have a problem with a dual identity magic item, which would cause one of the PCs in the party to unleash a second PC personality. I told the group the second personality would appear somewhat randomly when the PC with the item either rolled a critical hit, used a random number of charges or uses of the magic item known only to me.

The party agreed this would be an interesting item and foundation for a good adventure.

Part of the idea of the item is to take the party to a far flung exotic corner of Golarion and to one of the less known and used countries/kingdoms.

I next asked each player IN PRIVATE if they would be interested in being the PC who found the dual identity magic item, which would cause them to unleash a second PC personality. I gave the group 5 days to think about it. Then I said whoever got back to me first on day 6, or whoever came up with the best second PC idea, would be the PC to find the item and WORK WITH ME in crafting the second PC personality as well as part of the adventure.

Currently I am working with the PC who got back to me first about the item. We are working together to come up with where the PC is from on Golarion. Why the second PC is imprisoned in the magic item. Who imprisoned the PC in the magic item, but not how to break the imprisonment.

We have agreed the second PC must fit the personality of the party and not be completely opposite the other PCs. The goal is not to wreck havoc and destroy the party, which could be another way to go with the dual identity magic item in someone else's campaign. The idea is to create an interesting second personality and adventure for the party with the possibility of a bit of chaos around each corner.

As GM I will be coming up with how the magic imprisonment in broken and the second PC freed, as well as the lair and stat block for the villain behind the imprisonment.

The dual identity magic item will be found in the middle of the next adventure and will carry through that adventure and into the adventure about the second PC and the magic item.

The player and myself are discussing what would happen if their current PC or the second PC were to be killed. The thought was if one of the two were reduced to 0 hit points, or took massive damage, that would be one of the triggers for the two PCs to switch places.

[kid america]

The two PCs are different physical beings. There is no personality change, though that is one way to handle the idea.

I was going with the two PCs physically switch places. The second PC comes out of their suspended stasis within the magic item, with the first PC no going into stasis.

That's not to say the second location could not also be a physical location on Glorarion, or on another plane. Also, good hooks for the second PC and the adventure.