"Identifying" Artifacts

[Matrota]

The identify spell states it cannot discern the magical properties of an artifact. Is there any way to find those properties out otherwise? I introduced a custom major artifact weapon to my players and want to know how they can figure out how to wield it properly. 3.5e.

[finaldooms]

A bard or someone with knowledge ( whatever) could make a check to find the information..a long forgotten library? Or something like that..or just happen to give them the needed info to use it via a mental link with the artifact? ..tons of options as the dm lol

[Darrin]

Is there any way to find those properties out otherwise?

Casting legend lore usually does the trick. Otherwise, you'd use the Weapons of Legacy method, which is mostly how to make a bunch of Knowledge: History rolls as mind-numbingly tedious as possible.

[Âmesang]

My first thought, aside from the aforementioned legend lore, was to use detect magic or arcane sight to identify the magic school of the artifact's aura(s) and, by beating the Spellcraft DC by 10 or more*, identify its properties; however that would give it an effective Spellcraft DC of 25 + ½ caster level… and then I remembered that artifacts rarely have listed caster levels. :smalltongue:


*See Magic Item Compendium, p.217 or Rules Compendium, p.82.

[Telonius]

Use the scientific method. Hit the Barbarian with it and see what happens.

[J-H]

I think it should depend on the artifact.

Illumina, sword of light and foe of evil? It tells its user how to wield it, if the user meets the right qualifications.
Despayre, dagger of darkness? It tells its user how to wield it and what it does, if the user meets the right qualifications.
The Book of Knowledge? It probably tells whoever opens it what it does.
Bhaal's Reactivation Key, for coming back from the dead as a deity? Legend Lore or research. He doesn't want just anyone using it.
Moradin-blessed Armor of Invincibility? It's probably inscribed in glowing dwarven runes somewhere on the item.

[Gildedragon]

Gonna second it depends on the artifact.
In general an artifact's general powers ought be part of myth and lore. Kn (Relevant) DC 10
Excalibur is an unbeatable weapon,The Book of Vile Darkness is a tome containing unspeakable magics of utter evil, The Silver Arm is a tool essential for the creation of dragonlances, the philosopher's stone turns base metals to gold and restores the dead to life, the staff of the magii is the urtype of all magical staves...

Only certain artifacts shroud themselves with utter secrecy (stones of tharzidun, for example); and those should probably throw a false positive with Identify (luckstone in the case of the gems)
A deck of many things would be famous, part of all manner of folklore. But one would not know if the eerily magical deck of cards is that particular object.

Any artifact in particular you are thinking about?

[Matrota]

Gonna second it depends on the artifact.
In general an artifact's general powers ought be part of myth and lore. Kn (Relevant) DC 10
Excalibur is an unbeatable weapon,The Book of Vile Darkness is a tome containing unspeakable magics of utter evil, The Silver Arm is a tool essential for the creation of dragonlances, the philosopher's stone turns base metals to gold and restores the dead to life, the staff of the magii is the urtype of all magical staves...

Only certain artifacts shroud themselves with utter secrecy (stones of tharzidun, for example); and those should probably throw a false positive with Identify (luckstone in the case of the gems)
A deck of many things would be famous, part of all manner of folklore. But one would not know if the eerily magical deck of cards is that particular object.

Any artifact in particular you are thinking about?

It's a homebrew artifact, Eodar, the sword of light and truth. It was originally forged by a quasi-deity who had made it to slay an undead god. Since then, the deity has become a greater deity and has upgraded the weapon, but has also removed knowledge of himself from the world. It is one of the Seven Great Blades, a set of weapons from myths and stories. Each blade was originally forged to match its wielder. The legends tell of Eodar being the personal sword of the smith who crafted the Seven Great Blades, able to discern lies and destroy undead with ease.

Eodar is a longsword which turns undead on every strike (CL 10, charisma mod of 7), can critically strike undead, and deals double damage to undead. Evil and/or undead creatures must make saves to wield the sword or else they drop it, the sword attacking them in the process. Evil and/or undead creatures gain a negative level when wielding Eodar, which is regained after Eodar leaves their grip. The wielder is immune to mind-affecting effects while wielding it. When held to the throat of someone, they must make a will save of DC 30 or else they cannot lie. Eodar has a sense motive bonus of +30, and if it detects someone lying in its presence the sword will hum in the wielder's grip.

[Gildedragon]

Stories talk about its wielder vanquishing armies of undead, of knowing hidden truths... the mechanical effects are behind the screen stuffs