Machine of Lum the Mad

ChaosImp · Post by **ChaosImp** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 12:10 pm

Hello

I was thinking of placing this artifact in my next module, but since there are so many combinations I was wondering if any of you had done some work on it so I can steal the ideas ( hey I'm honest). I am planning to spend a few days adding some powers myself its just it would save some time using some of your imput.

Cheers guys

IMP

Traveller · Post by **Traveller** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:26 pm

Why would you want to put a game breaking device into your game? While I do admit that the Machine of Lum the Mad is perhaps the best choice because you can simply have it totally break down after the adventure is done, the amount of abuse that players can heap upon your personage with an artifact is legendary.

Note, my question is simply a curiosity one, as I don't see the value of providing hyper-powerful equipment to players. It's not an attempt to belittle or cut down what anyone does, but should it be seen in that fashion, then I do apologize in advance, as that was not my intention.
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:42 pm

Traveller wrote:
Why would you want to put a game breaking device into your game? While I do admit that the Machine of Lum the Mad is perhaps the best choice because you can simply have it totally break down after the adventure is done, the amount of abuse that players can heap upon your personage with an artifact is legendary.

Note, my question is simply a curiosity one, as I don't see the value of providing hyper-powerful equipment to players. It's not an attempt to belittle or cut down what anyone does, but should it be seen in that fashion, then I do apologize in advance, as that was not my intention.

It depends on the game. Like mine has artifacts in it because they will be taking on demons, powerful high priests and mages, and possibly Unklar himself, a God. So they need that kind of power to have a fair chance to succeed.

Plus it gives me an excuse to run Lost Caverns of Tsojanth and have them use Duourd's Wondrous Lanthorn. Plus most of my "artifacts" arre home made, and not as powerful as say the Teeth of Del'ver Nar or the Invulnerable Coat of Arn'd. More like the Sword of Kas.

Plus the Machine is not easy to use, safely. So if he stresses that they won't use the machine unless they have to. Unless they like being disintegrated, turned into a toad, have their sex changed, etc... all irrevocably since its being done by an artifact.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:31 am

Nothing is irrevocable in a fantasy game. Just get your PC offed, and cast reincarnate on the flesh.

Post by **finarvyn** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:50 am

The only campaign where I actually saw the Machine of Lum the Mad used was a real "Monty Haul" style game, and the machine pretty much finished the campaign in a hurry. Too many potential goodies, not enough drawbacks (at least the way my GM ran it).

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:17 am

serleran wrote:
Nothing is irrevocable in a fantasy game. Just get your PC offed, and cast reincarnate on the flesh.

Yes, I have faced that reasoning before. Thats why in my campaigns deific type "curses" are on the soul, not the body.

So yeah, they reincarnate as a human, owl, leapard, whatever. Then the next moment they are back to being a toad or whatever. If they were cursed to be the opposite sex they reincarnate as that sex in the first place.
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Traveller · Post by **Traveller** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:27 am

Too much hassle, too much power, and adventures can be conducted without their presence. Therefore, artifacts have no place in my C&C game, and aren't even mentioned in my personal edition of the OD&D rules.
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:02 am

Traveller wrote:
Too much hassle, too much power, and adventures can be conducted without their presence. Therefore, artifacts have no place in my C&C game, and aren't even mentioned in my personal edition of the OD&D rules.

Thats cool. I like artifacts. So I use them. Its worth it to me.
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