title → such as the heart of azeroth, artifacts, etc.
Basically, assuming that they are even acknowledged by the rp community as being a thing IC, what level of involvement in one’s field should someone have to be able to identify one?
I know artifact base models are off limits as rp weapons/items ofc, but thats as far as ive thought of this.
Examples of things that i am unsure of using IC:
- Other models for artifact weapons
—> expensive/decorated staff for a mage etc.
Are they too flashy for even that? I mean even the most powerful staff (dont quote me i dont know the lore) atiesh is, at the end of it, a wooden stick.
- Heart of a Champion -toy
—> basically any jewelry, should i indicate with /e that this is a different item when casting it?
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Personally, I always assume that these items are in the hands of (unspecified) lore characters. We know some of these rare artifacts are in fact in possession of said lore character, such as Shalamayne being Anduin Wrynn’s, and Atiesh being Khadgar’s.
I personally use some of these flashy items such as [Pillar of Ferocity], which looks like a giant blossoming flower with a pink crystal floating in the center. As a druid, I switch staves from simple sticks to that that one, RPing out the staff “going through seasons”. Then again, I’d use them exclusively on characters who’s overal looks match the used item. In this case, my plant-looking-druid needs a plant-looking-staff.
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The base assumption is that the artifact weapons aren’t that, but we did have a “shadowmourne weilder” a while back setting precedent for community-wide cringe.
These world famous weapons are in the hands of Azeroth’s legendary Heroes and even Blizzard forgot shadowmourne even existed. Or that questline is just non-canon, I guess…
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Really not the case aside from super iconic ones like f.ex Ashbringer (and even then you could say it’s a replica made in honor of the Ashbringer by a mildly overzealous fan). End of the day it’s whatever as long as you don’t go around saying it’s the OG one.
As long as you make it clear enough that the item/toy you’re using isn’t the original article, it’s fine really.
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I like player made items that become infamous on their own. Not sure if all of them used to be weapons or even powerful, but they were/are cool sll the same.
Edit: Skabb for example had a Tricorne hat that I think she got from Perroy and after she got killed, that hat went to Blazepast. If I remember correct.
It’s not a powerful artifact but it’s a cool item that you can recognize from miles away.
Faadhm also used to (and maybe to this date) make cool items that would drop off of big event bosses and such that you loot. My character for example had a Nathrezim Ring that allowed him to do blood magic, for example.
Then there are also player initiatives like ye old Infinite dark and the cosmic crown of terror that also had/have items that can do different things, both positive and negative.
All of these naturally require player consent in the group you are using them, but I think that that is kind of the wholesome part about them: Use them long enough in a tasteful manner and people will react to them and accept them as a regular part of rp.
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Yeah, make your own legends and legendaries to go along with it. My gal’s looted satyr staff has been through a lot.
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Can only echo the very well-put comments above; so long as you’re clear about not being the actual wielder of the Ashbringer or whathaveyou, you’re good.
I roleplay a grizzled witch hunter sometimes, with whom I use the HD, rogue-specific version of Thunderfury as “just” an enchanted two-hander; similarly, my forsaken mages family heirloom spear’s gained more IC significance just by happenstance!
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I’ve always set the marker that all artifacts, legendary, or “super” items are considered for a minimal group of people that is hardly ever seen, and what most people wield are just replicas sold by some greedy Gnome/Goblin, or Shady Ethereal - or me, there are items for sale.
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Oh no you’d be surprised that MANY people (Myself included) will use the base artefact appearance, or some variant of it if you can make it work.
I have yet to see anyone claim they IC wield THE Ashbringer, anyone who flat out ignores you for simply using a higher res sword because it’s the baseline artefact appearance is just simply being weird and incredibly nit-picky for no real reason.
It is still a crime we never heard anything of it anymore during the rest of WoW. A weapon forged in the image of Frostmourne, to be the Death Knight’s counterpart to the Ashbringer… instead during Legion we got discount Frostmourne split in two, and a mace and sword that was pulled out of nowhere’s 
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I agree with all the folks above. Though I will add that I wonder what a would-be legendary item would add to RP, unless it would be used to facilitate more roleplay.
People often want their character to feel powerful and kick-. After all, if we roll some ancient elf wizard or some grizzled orc warboi, we want them to shine in what they do best. Although some powerful (read: cursed items, they make for best rp) bits and bobs would allow for some interesting character development or even events, a blazing sword that rips open a portal into the Firelands whenever you draw it would rather diminish any would-be challenge ahead.
My advice? The same I would give to any involvements of lore-established characters: Apply it only in the background or let them serve as an inspiration, and give it your own unique twist. It’s fine to say that your undead ex-Scarlet witnessed how the Ashbringer was used by Alexandros to lop son’s head off as a reason for changing his/her views, but it’s a no-no to say your big pally hunk fished it up for Nat Pagle and became the sole reason Naxxramas moved to Northrend.
This.
Thas’dorah in particular looks generic enough that I’ve seen many hunters use it, as until recently it was the only way to have a bow with a quiver. I’ve used the Thas’dorah model to represent a Sentinel bow.
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I loved the Resto Druid Artefact so much looks-wise I just had my character create a personal Staff that used the model. It’s also not really a ‘famous’ artefact so that wasn’t a problem, so others doing the same I don’t really mind.
In-character powerful items however are very dangerous to the quality of the roleplay. If you have an item that wins you any engagement, there is suddenly no point in roleplaying with you. Roleplaying is not a one-way street. Oh, you have the Heart of Azeroth? Yeah, I do too!
How would some unknown random character get a powerful artefact anyway, especially when those were only worn by the Fabled Adventurer? Why would your character have such an item?
In fairness, druids using a glowy magic branch as a staff isn’t out of the ordinary, or for that matter having a draenei with a naaru shaped staff with how excessive they are with the iconography.
Things get a lot more dramatic when someone weilds what looks like The Ashbringer and caveats get a lot more relevant.
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I am repeating other people in the same thread, but I’d like to just say that magical items have been a staple of fantasy games ever since the first fantasy TTRPG game was played in the 80s.
Flashy magical items in a setting such as Warcraft’s are completely fine. The only ones I would recommend against is using the Ashbringer and the Doomhammer’s default skin.
Not because you wouldn’t be able to justify it as “it’s just a replica made by a superfan of the weapon”, but because I think there is more enjoyment to be had with giving your character a cool as hell magical weapon of your own choosing that isn’t just a Tesco knock-off 1/1 copy of an iconic weapon.
Another thing I would recommend is to never acknowledge with an emote comment that ‘your weapon looks like but definitely isn’t ’, and just emote what you intended.
When it comes to just how powerful you should make a weapon like this for roleplay, mileage may vary depending on the weapon and what you’re looking for. A magical weapon can range from a staff that basically turns your mage into an artillery cannon, or a sword that lights itself on fire whenever you unsheathe it.
Me personally? I prefer to keep it low-key at first. I find it a lot more fun (and generally, a lot more accepted) when a powerful magical weapon has been crafted / upgraded / earned over time, rather than just having it available from minute one of the character’s creation.
I’m generally more willing to make exceptions for this one than for the ashbringer because the game should have way more (not anciently crusty) maces with the doomhammer’s general silhouette and style. A good ol’ meaty zug zug loktar hammer.
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I’ve done this for years and have yet to hear anyone complain about it. So long as you don’t claim that it is the actual Artifact itself, I really do not see the issue in most cases.
Artifacts that are long-term recognizable lore items (mainly thinking of the Ashbringer and Doomhammer here) might ruffle some feathers however, as that demands an extra bit of suspension of disbelief from others.
The beautiful thing about WoW is its Punk-Fantasy vibe. You can be as flashy or mundane looking as you please, and still easily fit within the frames of the setting. Atiesh is certainly mundane looking, but have you seen Aluneth? Both belonged to renowned mages, and yet stylistically they are miles apart.
I would probably clarify something through either /e or /s, yes.
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Now this certainly is an inspirational post. So far I have avoided having my ”character power” tied to an item, but after reading this I’m itching to create a character who is generally bad at what he does, but due to a mere coincidence he has got his hand on a ”super item” that puts him on par with the high fantasy heroes (aka other player characters).
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So a doublestack glock and the 2nd amendment?
No but for real go for it. It is even cooler if you get it through some event with others.