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SYSTEM REFERENCE DOCUMENT 3.5

 
SPECIAL PURPOSE ITEMS

Intelligent Item Purpose

d%

Purpose

01–20

Defeat/slay diametrically opposed alignment*

21–30

Defeat/slay arcane spellcasters (including spellcasting monsters and those that use spell-like abilities)

31–40

Defeat/slay divine spellcasters (including divine entities and servitors)

41–50

Defeat/slay nonspellcasters

51–55

Defeat/slay a particular creature type (see the bane special ability for choices)

56–60

Defeat/slay a particular race or kind of creature

61–70

Defend a particular race or kind of creature

71–80

Defeat/slay the servants of a specific deity

81–90

Defend the servants and interests of a specific deity

91–95

Defeat/slay all (other than the item and the wielder)

96–100

Choose one

* The purpose of the neutral (N) version of this item is to preserve the balance by defeating/slaying powerful beings of the extreme alignments (LG, LE, CG, CE).

 

Purpose

An item’s purpose must suit the type and alignment of the item and should always be treated reasonably. A purpose of “defeat/slay arcane spellcasters” doesn’t mean that the sword forces the wielder to kill every wizard she sees. Nor does it mean that the sword believes it is possible to kill every wizard, sorcerer, and bard in the world. It does mean that the item hates arcane spellcasters and wants to bring the local wizard’s cabal to ruin, as well as end the rule of a sorceress-queen in a nearby land. Likewise, a purpose of “defend elves” doesn’t mean that if the wielder is an elf, he only wants to help himself. It means that the item wants to be used in furthering the cause of elves, stamping out their enemies and aiding their leaders. A purpose of “defeat/slay all” isn’t just a matter of self-preservation. It means that the item won’t rest (or let its wielder rest) until it places itself above all others.

 

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