Receiving Magic items that No one can use

[Beelzebub1111]

My DM is running (3.5 backconverted to 2nd) a module and we recently recovered an amulet that no one can use. We don't know what it is, but when we anybody puts it on it burns like hell until it's taken off. We were given the impression that it's class based (DM's Words) so what do we do with it. Our party consists of A Thief/Psionisist, Two Paladins, a Fighter, a cleric, and A Bard (me). What the heck do we do with this thing? I just don't know. I guess we could sell it...but I just don't know. It did 5d6 to us for wearing it, can it be afforded to fall into the wrong hands? It looks nice...but that's about it for us at this point.

Any similar stories from you guys?

[Greenish]

Try to trick your enemies into wearing it. :smallwink:

[Starbuck_II]

Use Magic Device (unless it is psionic). That will let you use it regardless if he allows that skill (I forget about 2nd edition).

[holywhippet]

Try to get hold of the identify spell. I know it's a pain to use in 2E but honestly I'd really recommend working out exactly what the item is before deciding what to do with it. It might be alignment based rather than class based.

[herrhauptmann]

Use Magic Device (unless it is psionic). That will let you use it regardless if he allows that skill (I forget about 2nd edition).

Did they have a nonweapon proficiency equivalent to the UMD skill back in AD&D days?

[Beelzebub1111]

Try to get hold of the identify spell. I know it's a pain to use in 2E but honestly I'd really recommend working out exactly what the item is before deciding what to do with it. It might be alignment based rather than class based.

I have suspicions that it's a Talisman of the Sphere. That's what all the hints point to anyways. (and the DM pretty much let it slip that it's class based)

[grarrrg]

Try to get hold of the identify spell. I know it's a pain to use in 2E but honestly I'd really recommend working out exactly what the item is before deciding what to do with it. It might be alignment based rather than class based.

Unless I'm more out of date with 2e than I thought...
You said most/all of you put it on, and it did 5d6 damage? I assume none of you died, so you all must have some decent levels.
You are a Bard.
Unless you have <8 in your Int and Wis, then you should have a fairly high "Bard Lore" score, and 'should' be able to identify most things with no trouble.
Option B. you are a Bard and should be able to learn the Identify spell.

If it is class based, then it must be for a Ranger, Druid, or Mage as those are the only core classes you are missing.

Once Identified, if it is still 'worthless' to you, then selling/trading it wouldn't be the worst option.

[Diarmuid]

Or a Talisman of Ultimate Evil (or whatever the opposite of a Talisman of Pure Good is).

Agreed on Identify to figure out what it is so you can properly decide what to do. If you do sell it, how do you properly set a for sale value if you have no idea what it is?

[holywhippet]

I don't believe there was a non-weapon proficiency of that sort. Rogues could gain the ability to cast from scrolls (well, they have a 75% chance of casting correctly). I seem to recall in Baldur's Gate 2 rogues could eventually learn to use any item no matter what the class restrictions were - no idea if that was from the core rules though.

[Winter_Wolf]

Alignment check, is your party all good characters? Sounded an awful lot like the Talisman of Ultimate Evil, like was previously said. Or maybe some DM homebrew variant on a Robe of the Archmagi.

[Quietus]

Alignment check, is your party all good characters? Sounded an awful lot like the Talisman of Ultimate Evil, like was previously said. Or maybe some DM homebrew variant on a Robe of the Archmagi.

That's what my first thought was - something [Evil], giving individuals negative levels for wearing it. Is everyone Good aligned?

[Beelzebub1111]

Alignment check, is your party all good characters? Sounded an awful lot like the Talisman of Ultimate Evil, like was previously said. Or maybe some DM homebrew variant on a Robe of the Archmagi.

That's what my first thought was - something [Evil], giving individuals negative levels for wearing it. Is everyone Good aligned?
A neutral put it on and it did the same damage, so I don't think that it's alignment based.


I don't believe there was a non-weapon proficiency of that sort. Rogues could gain the ability to cast from scrolls (well, they have a 75% chance of casting correctly). I seem to recall in Baldur's Gate 2 rogues could eventually learn to use any item no matter what the class restrictions were - no idea if that was from the core rules though.
Only Written items and wands

[oxybe]

i don't know about a specific module in particular, since i rarely use them, but when i do, i generally modify the treasure so that the rapier becomes a longsword i know someone will use.

alternatively, when creating a treasure horde, rather then leaving several thousand of GPs worth of loot, i'll put a crap item or two with a selling value equal to what i'm replacing (like a bracers of armor+1, even though i know the party has much better stuff already) fully knowing they're going to sell it, effectively acting like an alternative to gems, only magical and might actually find some use other then looking pretty.

the problem arises then the treasure itself is the crud item, rather then the crud item complimenting the actual treasure.

if the item is the focal point of the treasure, it should be usable/wanted by someone at least.

[herrhauptmann]

I don't believe there was a non-weapon proficiency of that sort. Rogues could gain the ability to cast from scrolls (well, they have a 75% chance of casting correctly). I seem to recall in Baldur's Gate 2 rogues could eventually learn to use any item no matter what the class restrictions were - no idea if that was from the core rules though.

That's why I asked, it's been a while since I've done anything but 3.5/4E. But "Use Magic Device" as it was stated, sounded more like the 3.X skill than an AD&D class feature.

[senrath]

Unless I (or your DM) are mistaken, it's not an Amulet of the Sphere, since I'm pretty sure that a Bard counts as an arcane caster. Then again, I might be wrong, since it's been a while since I've touched any 2e material.

[holywhippet]

I'd say they are arcane casters - they can only learn and cast wizard spells.

[Beelzebub1111]

if it IS an Talisman of the Sphere, then no one can use it. It specifically says "useless to nonwizards." I wouldn't want to use it that much anyways. I mean, who wants a magic item that has a 60% chance of turning on them and destroying their soul.

[senrath]

Ah. In 3.5 it can be used by any arcane caster, so I assumed it was the same in 2e.

[Yuki Akuma]

Dual-class into Mage and put it on.

[Jan Mattys]

EDITED
stupid ninjas.

[grarrrg]

Dual-class into Mage and put it on.

Whoa there, it's not anywhere near that easy.
First, MUST be human.
Second, must meet some fairly high stat requirements (17? int for base mage, 17? XXX in addition! for specialist mage)
Third, lose ALL current class features, until you gain a level HIGHER than you were (ok, lose MOST features, you keep HP at least...).

I admit I'm not familiar with the Talisman, but after a certain point, it isn't worth it to Dual-Class (if it's even possible).

[dsmiles]

if it IS an Talisman of the Sphere, then no one can use it. It specifically says "useless to nonwizards." I wouldn't want to use it that much anyways. I mean, who wants a magic item that has a 60% chance of turning on them and destroying their soul.

Exactly. '60% chance of soul obliteration' is a risk I would not be willing to take.

[Lysander]

If it's an artifact it's probably plot crucial that you have it. You'll regret selling it for 10gp when an enemy wizard is sending the orb flying towards your heads and your allied npc wizard can't do anything to help.

[Ravens_cry]

Sell it.
None of you can use it, so keeping it is metagaming unless you in-character know it is a needed item.

[Lapak]

I admit I'm not familiar with the Talisman, but after a certain point, it isn't worth it to Dual-Class (if it's even possible).Only after you hit name level, really, if you genuinely want the new class features. Up until then, the doubling routine for XP means that by the time the rest of the party gains one level you'll have caught up to being just one level back. Given how much more common level loss and differing experience scales are in pre-3 anyway, that's not such a handicap.

But the crazy stat requirements do make it somewhat unlikely.