Sep. 1, 2010: Cursed Item Alteration

Not exactly sure when this combo-change will go in (since I'm still working on epic spell research code), but it's been on my list for quite some time.

Cursed Item Randomness:

Which items end up cursed will be much more random and unpredictible. Basically, instead of having several predetermined items that are cursed right in the toolset, the "cursed factor" will get added by script when the item is generated in creature loot. No longer will a certain sword always be cursed, or half of a certain crystal be a cursed version. Almost any item not specifically placed by me could end up cursed.

Cursed Item Rarity:

With this added unpredictability, I'll also be reducing the specific odds of getting a cursed item (from creature loot drops) to a 1 in 1000 chance. Normal and masterwork items will never be cursed. Not exactly sure of the odds before, but I know it's higher, especially with items from creatures that draw from certain treasure tables.

Cursed Item Removal:

Since it seems my previous alteration to the remove curse spell was not saved somehow (probably during a toolset crash), I'll be adding the ability soon for the spell to remove one normally-identified-but-not-yet-triggered/bonded cursed item from a targeted creature's inventory. This particular change will be going live in the next day or so.

* By "normally-identified", I mean the item has been identified and you could equip it normally...not that the cursed nature of the item has been identified.

This should prove interesting, but I wonder the actual reasonability of 1 in 1000.... I'd think that a 1 in even 250 chance is more than reasonable, as that's not an easy sort of roll to make. Not to mention that it really would only apply to items that someone would actually use, which isn't always that often.

One other thing; how far does 'almost any item' extend?

My 2 cents: 1 in 1000 is too frequent, but I'll settle for it if there is a way to detect cursed items before they screw you.

One other question - will the Remove Curse spell's Caster Level have an effect? I'd hope not, as that would allow Remove Curse scrolls to be a reasonable thing to carry around....

For the remove curse spell, the caster level has no effect on removing a "curse effect" (of which I don't even really know of any in Aenea right now). The caster level also will make no difference when destroying cursed (but not yet bonded) items from the target's inventory...one casting of the spell will be able to destroy one cursed item...which means remove curse scrolls could be very useful for those with Use Magic Device or Scribe Scroll.

This does mean that the spell will effectively become a "detect and clear cursed item" spell, so long as it's used to remove said items before they are equipped (at which point the curse is triggered and the spell will have no further effect).

Best strategy: Gather your loot in your inventory, do a mass-ID at an altar to Kalas (unless you have enough ranks in Lore), then have someone cast remove curse on you (repeat this if a cursed item is removed, just in case there is more than one).

So the target of the spell is a person and not an item? That certainly does make things simpler.

evilkittenofdoom wrote:So the target of the spell is a person and not an item? That certainly does make things simpler.

Yes.

Thats workable.

I can dig that.

But the Lysis priest in Macedone can still get rid of any curses/cursed items you get, right?

Mayhaps his mechanics will be changed, as well.

This change went live today. 20 different "types" of curses for those that like to investigate every item option they can find in Aenea.

And yes, the priest of Lysis in Macedone will still be able to remove any "activated/bonded" cursed items you may be stuck with. No need for a change to his mechanics...he's already able to tell if you have an activated cursed item and is able to remove it from your inventory or equipped slots.

Rock! I can't wait to see this one in action - as long as it's on a PC that's got a buttload of gold!

IMHO, this will bring cursed items up to a level with their PnP counterparts (well, as much as scripting and 's imagination will allow)