Magic items with flavor

atmosphere, not just numbers

from Elemental Forums

I tried searching for this, but didnt see any recent posts about it, so thought it was time to talk a bit about flavor for magic items.

This is a game that should ooze character and atmosphere due to its spiritual predecessor, and one area where I think its kinda lacking right now, is the magic items. I would love it if we had some unique items for our heroes, with flavor text for instance, kinda like we already have for heroes. I imagine re-using the code for how heroes are represented could work well for some of the more powerfull magic items. This might also be used in generating quests and dungeon exploring, in that certain items came only from certain quests, and the description of the magic item reflects this.

An example:

Florents Blade - This blade was worn by the ancient hero Florent in his final days.

While the magic item may STILL be a sword of +2 damage, it suddenly has a purpose and place in history. Not that we know much about it, but its still something that makes a magic sword just a bit more interesting than just a sword of +2 you need to be able to kill the ogre with 46 in combat rating.

6,985 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Nice idea

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

This is an excellent idea that goes a long way to help remove the fourth wall by creating a more complete game world.

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

New type of victory, I wonder if you could make a campaign out of finding the missing pieces of a magic item?

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Dominions 3 does this very well.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Or do a 3-piece Quest.

(the Hilt) - carries an electrical charge that adds to the weapons damage when striking a foe),

(the Blade) - made of a tri-metal alloy that never dulls and slices through even the toughest of leather and medium steel armors with relative ease),

(the Handle) - a jewel encrusted piece of craftsmanship of the like never before seen since the Cataclysm, its worth alone, would rival that of a medium size Kingdom's.

Collect all 3 pieces to complete the Sword carried by Florent.

 

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

I'm pretty sure they'll make cool stuff like this. After all, I'm thinking they'll need more than "You found a rusty sword!" for the single-player campaign. :P

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Annatar11, reply 6
I'm pretty sure they'll make cool stuff like this. After all, I'm thinking they'll need more than "You found a rusty sword!" for the single-player campaign.
End of Annatar11's quote

maybe - I just havent heard anything about it, but then again, abilities wont be added until 4th beta I think..that could be the place for it