Things are not always what they seem...

[RndmNumGen]

I recently got the idea for having the BBEG to manipulate the PCs to go on a quest to retrieve a powerful magic sword. In reality, this sword isn't powerful, or even magic, or even a sword. Most likely it is a wooden stick. However, I want the PCs to think that it is a powerful weapon, perhaps even discarding or selling their current weapon to keep it. I was looking up the cursed item rules, but I don't think that Delusion will work, because it only affects the user of the item. I want the whole party to think it is a powerful weapon, though maybe have bystanders see the PCs making a fool of themselves. Any idea how I could go about doing this?

[hamishspence]

BoVD has rules for fiend-possessed items, and Fiendish Codex 1 updates them.

A fiend-possessed item could be of normal quality- not even masterwork- and yet, at the fiend's discretion- have considerable power (because it's the fiend's power).

Might work.

[Gabe the Bard]

When the wizard casts Identify and Legend Lore and comes up with nothing, you could have an NPC that the players trust, like a magic shop owner or an oracle (planted by the BBEG), tell them that it's actually a powerful artifact, so powerful that mortal divinations won't reveal it's properties.

[Shenanigans]

Depending on the level of the group when they get hold of the stick, perhaps some form of permanent illusion with a DC far beyond their reach?

[Duke of URL]

The Emperor's New +1 vorpal longsword, eh?

Well, for starters, a permanent magic aura (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/magicAura.htm) can make the item "ping" as magical. Creative use of programmed image (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/programmedImage.htm) can be used to make the PCs believe that the stick (or whatever the useless object is) is simply a glamered object of great power.

[Crossblade]

So it's the The Zephyr blade from Doraleous and Associates?

[obliged_salmon]

I'm not sure I see the appeal in this scenario, for the players, but here's how I'd do it:

A.) Handwave rules. The PC's think it's magical because of a spooooky enchantment.

B.) Tell your players what you're trying to accomplish with this, so they can get in on the fun to be had. "Hey guys, your characters don't realize that it's actually just a normal object, they think it's super awesome! Roll with it."

[RndmNumGen]

The Emperor's New +1 vorpal longsword, eh?

Well, for starters, a permanent magic aura (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/magicAura.htm) can make the item "ping" as magical. Creative use of programmed image (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/programmedImage.htm) can be used to make the PCs believe that the stick (or whatever the useless object is) is simply a glamered object of great power.

Nailed the concept right there. I like the programmed image idea, I might try and work something out with that...

As far as the appeal for the players, I'm planning on working it into an adventure hook, but it acts as a powerful distraction. They might figure it out when it doesn't act quite as they expected it to in combat, otherwise they will just go around waving a stick in the air.

[megabyter5]

So it's the The Zephyr blade from Doraleous and Associates?

Don't be silly, Crossblade. The real Zephyr Blade is a rabbit.