Red Destiny sword in Strange Aeons

[Echowood]

My party found this named sword in the 1st book of this adventure. Could someone tell me everything about it? Thanks

[Drahliana Moonrunner]

Are you running the adventure? If so you have the answers you need. If you're a player, no spoilers.

[captain yesterday]

It's a sword.

I would stab things with it and see where that takes you. :-)

[Echowood]

yes I'm running the adventure but of the 4 books I have it is only mentioned that one time. there is no sidebar and it isn't listed in any other section of the book.

[captain yesterday]

Awesome! Then you know what we know. :-)

I'll flag it to be moved to the AP boards so the masterminds behind it can chime in if there's more details to be aware of. :-)

[Lanitril]

The Book wrote:

The weapon is a +2 short sword.

That's it.

Anaki J. wrote:

Does anyone else find it odd that the PCs can acquire a +2 short sword in the admin area of the asylum when they are 2nd level? This seems like a pretty strong find for a regular AP let alone a horror themed one.

Firstbourne wrote:

I noticed that as well. I wondered if it was like a video game where you find a random rocket launcher and realize you're gonna need it, because "it's about to get real". I think the sword is like that.

Adam Daigle wrote:

It can also be useful to sell in order to afford to bring some characters back to life should anyone die.

Source: In Search of Sanity (GM Reference).

Not trying to snark or anything. Sorry if it comes across that way. Oh. Also Adam Daigle holds a special place of importance in the Strange Aeon threads, being I'm pretty sure one of the main guys who did the book.

They start to talk about it on page 2 of the thread. Some people I think elsewhere were talking about making it more special, but honestly it probably is already pretty special.

I might run this game with Automatic Bonus Progression on... In which case, maybe it's a Keen Scimitar in my game? I'm unsure of what else to do with it. Maybe just Keen Scimitar. Or Keen Rapier.

[captain yesterday]

I didn't think it did. Excellent job!

[M1k31]

Weird... it almost sounds like it was supposed to be cursed or something but the creators never did anything with it.

I'd probably play with its backstory and create a curse effect. Like make it cast a geas on the weilder to stab something with it once a day(including themselves and friendly NPC's), then if they fail(a save) let it play out until that PC dies or goes unconscious... then reveal that everything after the check was a hallucination, no-one else knows about(as far as you know) but the blade now looks to visibly glisten and leak blood to everyone for the next 24 hours.

[Mark Carlson 255]

If you think like a developer or author and want to keep surprises then I can see you leaving info out about a possible incredible magic item till the end.
Sort of the ultimate fate item, if if the party keeps the sword and it is present at point X of the story arch then it can aid them in Y way. But if the weapon is not there then fate has decided things will go another way.

The point above that it was a story element that was in a original version of the game and was decide to be cut is also a valid line of thought as we all know there is not just one style of GMing, players and playing and writing adventures.

Or it could simply be a writers take on a interesting name for an item or such things as part of the backstory of their PC when play testing the AP, and old PC's or NPC's favorite item, etc.

MDC

[Vatras]

I believe it was a more involved item that was cut from the content (maybe it was too complicated or convoluted?) and left in as solid magic weapon instead.

[Melkiador]

Isn't that module based on paranioa. I'd expect the DM to just have fun making the sword sound suspicious. "This item almost seems too good to be true..."

[Echowood]

thank you everyone for the input and to Lanitril for providing me a link for GM'ing this adventure. My group is enjoying playing it.

[Adam Daigle]

Red Destiny was placed in the adventure with little details about it in order for individual GMs to develop it to their party's taste and allow them to tell a fun side story if they wish. Sometimes all you need is a flavorful description and a player will really connect with an item... doesn't hurt if the item's especially powerful for their level. ;)

[benthic]

This seems like the place to discuss it, but I need to devise a mondo cool destiny for Red Destiny. Why? Well, one of my players, a first timer who I know hasn't glanced at the book before, has named her gritty ranger character "Red". Red (assuming he lives long enough), will find Red Destiny. It is literally Red's destiny to find Red Destiny.

I'm considering leveled progression so it can build with her character. You don't think it's too gauche to reskin the sword to something less obvious or should I see it as fate and give Red his sword back?

[gustavo iglesias]

I'm going to reskin Red Destiny to something that suits one of my players (so a rapier, scimitar or bastard sword, probably). It's too cool of a name to become money to spend in wands of CLW. Also I'm restricting crafting and magic shopping (I want the players to feel les,superheroe-esque), so a few items targetted to their needs will not hurt. I'd also retire random chucks of gold f r on the rewards and add items that players would like to buy

[shadowkras]

Personally, im all for naming every +X item that shows on games that arent simply WBL loot from moonks and minions.
It's something iv been doing for a few years and players love a little backstory.

[John Compton]

benthic wrote:

This seems like the place to discuss it, but I need to devise a mondo cool destiny for Red Destiny. Why? Well, one of my players, a first timer who I know hasn't glanced at the book before, has named her gritty ranger character "Red". Red (assuming he lives long enough), will find Red Destiny. It is literally Red's destiny to find Red Destiny.

I'm considering leveled progression so it can build with her character. You don't think it's too gauche to reskin the sword to something less obvious or should I see it as fate and give Red his sword back?

My answer, with minor campaign spoilers:

Whatever destiny you choose, I strongly recommend imparting some of that destiny/prophecy to the PC during the dream travels of Pathfinder #111. You can deepen the player's curiosity when he begins finding derro writings at the beginning of #112 that speak of Wielder In Red (almost like a terrible analogue to the King in Yellow), a figure spoken of in vague notions that are chillingly similar to the PC's physical description. In #113 there are [[humanoids not yet revealed because the book isn't out yet]] as well as [[sundry figures in a big settlement]], all of which could have inscribed really creepy depictions of the PC. If confronted about where the creatures saw this figure, they become hauntingly silent and fearful—especially if Red is within sight.

Basically, build up the notion that there is a terrifying prophecy tied to the sword (and now the PC) that he will fulfill. Have the player sweat every time that he finds another hint. Have him wriggle in his chair when he fearfully throws away the sword only to find it among his belongings a hour later. Scatter a few cryptic clues over the next couple volumes hinting at what the prophecy might be. As a GM, then, never reveal the truth until the prophecy's execution is imminent. Here are a few possibilities:

The PC is destined to kill a powerful mythos creature from #113 or #114. The city from #113 has two Very Bad Threats that could both be tied to this prophecy, so the PC is destined to shut down one of them in a dramatic way. You might even give one of these creatures DR XX/Red Destiny, require that Red Destiny provide the killing blow, or spontaneously give Red Destiny the bane ability during that fight.

The sword's destiny is to be returned to its owner in a time of greatest need. What's not immediately apparent is that it's destined to be returned violently when the PC stabs said NPC. The greatest need is tied to the Terrible Outcome that the PCs are trying to prevent in #113 and #114, and this bloody end is a key piece in the puzzle.

Ever since Aroden's death, prophecy has rarely worked properly. Red Destiny used to be tied to a really important prophecy, but that whole thread of fate is ruined now. What is Red Destiny? It's a wound in the nature of reality, and only by carving out his own destiny can Red make things Right.

[benthic]

John Compton wrote:

(snip)

** spoiler omitted **...

That is a better answer than I could possibly have hoped for. Thank you very much! This whole thing is sure to make her first campaign very memorable over the year (or likely more). The only thing I'm changing is swapping the short sword to a composite shortbow, to fit with the Archery combat style she has selected.

[Ulrich-Alexander Schmidt]

It ist a sword with a name, not more, not less, just flavour in my opinion.
The name "Red Destiny" could be interpreted like "If I hit you with this sword it is your destiny to bleed red."