Questions from a player:
1] Can you use UMD to emulate an alignment to use an otherwise non-matching intelligent magic item?
2] Can a PC own, use, and equip multiple intelligent magic items at the same time?
I believe UMD specifically can emulate other alignments for use of items, but how often they'd have to make checks to avoid penalties is up to the DM. I think a single check when you initially wield the item, and subsequent checks when your item disagrees with your actions, would make sense.
I think that's also up to DM fiat, but IIRC due to their ego they forbid the use of other weapons in favor of themselves(though that might have been just black blades). I don't know if a sentiment cloak of resistance will be opposed to a sentient warhammer since their different types, but It'd be pretty funny to have a heroes gear constantly bickering imo.
1] Yes. But the item is liable to catch on, and be royally miffed about it: Alignment and "special purposes" are the two all-overriding motivations of Intelligent Items.
2] Yes. Just pray they don't get into a bickering contest. Or worse: team up.
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SRD UMD
"Emulate an Alignment: Some magic items have positive or negative effects based on the user's alignment. Use Magic Device lets you use these items as if you were of an alignment of your choice. You can emulate only one alignment at a time." DC 30.
"If you are using the check to emulate an alignment or some other quality in an ongoing manner, you need to make the relevant Use Magic Device check once per hour."
SRD Int. Items
"All magic items with personalities desire to play an important role in whatever activity is under way, particularly combat. Such items are natural rivals, even with others of the same alignment. No intelligent item wants to share its wielder with others. An intelligent item is aware of the presence of any other intelligent item within 60 feet, and most intelligent items try their best to mislead or distract their host so that she ignores or destroys the rival. Of course, alignment might change this sort of behavior."
Multiple intelligent items are OK, but probably have RP conflict of some type. Even if on other party members.
/cevah
Follow up questions.
3] If the PC successfully uses UMD to emulate an alignment of an intelligent item, does he still get the negative level penalty? (Seems like it should not, but I'm not sure.)
4] If the PC has a high enough will save to never fail the rather easy will vs. ego check, does it matter if one intelligent magic item wants him to get rid of the other intelligent magic item?
"Don't listen to that stupid warhammer, he's a jerk. Listen to me, your ring, I only want what is best for you. He just wants to hit things, and will likely wind up hurting someone because of it."
"Don't listen to that stupid warhammer, he's a jerk. Listen to me, your ring, I only want what is best for you. He just wants to hit things, and will likely wind up hurting someone because of it."
That is kinda what he is going for. He thinks it will be amusing, but not if it makes him end up throwing away a valuable item.
An old proverb:
One sentient magic item is lonely;
Two sentient magic items will bicker and cannot be happy;
Three sentient magic items, two will take sides against one;
Four sentient magic items, two will be friends and the other 2 will be bickering;
Five sentient magic items is tranquility.
1] Sure, but it's like using Bluff to convince another PC you're not evil, then you run around eating orphans and kicking kittens and pretty soon the other PC figures it out. It might work for a short time, but not for very long at all. You'll be checking once per hour so how long will it last before you blow a check?
2] Yes, see my proverb.
3] Yes, you lose the level. It's very clear. It happens the instant you pick it up, remains as long as the item is in hand, and cannot be overcome in any way. Your UMD check is to just fool the intelligent item that you have a compatible alignment. Heck, I might even require you to make a bluff check too, to make it think you didn't lose that level.
4] It's a WILL [b]Saving Throw[/i], those always fail on a natural 1 no matter how easy they are. Which means if the item asks you to throw away some other item, it only has to ask about 20 times before you fail your WILL Save and throw away the other item.
Whoops! Yep we misread that. He definitely won't want to take multiples with the one that says he will throw away others. He is still considering the one that would give a negative level, but I don't think he will go for it.
Thanks all.