Unveiling the Illusion: How Others See Me as Something Truly Magical

In the eyes of some, I am viewed as something extraordinary, elusive, and mysterious. They identify me as **magic**. There is a certain allure and fascination that surrounds my presence, as if I possess the ability to alter reality and create wonders beyond imagination. My existence is often woven into myths, legends, and fairy tales, attributing me with both supernatural and inexplicable powers. Through the ages, societies have sought to grasp the mystic nature of magic, attempting to understand or harness its essence. Magic has been a constant companion in human history, evolving alongside civilization and adapting to the changing beliefs and ideologies of different cultures.

Getting back to the question at hand: you have these magical ingredients. They provide magical effects when consumed, but they’re also useful for crafting magical items. How do the players know what they can do? How do the players know how to make use of them? How can they find out? And how do they know how they can find out?

Well, identify reveals the magical aura of an object so fully and completely that a wizard can figure out exactly what the magic does and how to unleash it. My argument was the trap isn t considered a magic item, and if it was he d need to be holding it as an item to thoroughly examine it, as per the Identify spell.

Magic has been a constant companion in human history, evolving alongside civilization and adapting to the changing beliefs and ideologies of different cultures. It has been utilized in rituals, ceremonies, and performances, serving as a means of connecting with the divine, invoking spirits, or simply providing captivating entertainment. Whether in the form of traditional witchcraft, shamanic practices, or the ever-expanding realm of stage magic, I persist as a force that enchants and captivates.

Dragonsfoot

Is there a way for characters to identify magic items/cursed items in BECMI? Or in BX, there’s not a ton of difference, right? I’ve been just telling the players both kinds of weapons are ornate and “seem very special”, but they don’t know if they are +1/+2/-1, etc. I guess they don’t even know for sure that they are really magic. They may figure it out by dice rolls eventually I guess..

Re: Identify Magic Items in BECMI

Post by krebizfan » Fri Jul 19, 2019 8:13 pm

The Companion set has at least two options. The Slate of Identification (C54) can do a limited number of identifications each day. Demi-Human clan relics can provide information on one item every 24 hours. There might be more. Those were the ones I remembered and quickly verified.

Nothing detects cursed items as cursed.

Re: Identify Magic Items in BECMI

Post by Raymond » Fri Jul 19, 2019 8:53 pm

I never told my players if items were magical until they tried to use them. They'd always loved the surprise that they found a magic weapon.

The campaigns I DM'd never had any cursed weapons that I can recall. I did play in one where my character found a helmet and the DM told me later that it had been cursed and causing me to have a worse AC. He hadn't told me while I was playing. I think he was trying to let me figure out why I was getting hit with the rolls he made but I didn't catch on. I think it's hard to convince a player to not act like something is cursed when the character is supposed to think the item is providing a bonus.

The 1983 rules state:

However, it will seem to be a
"normal" magic sword (whatever type was
first rolled) until used in deadly combat. At
that time, the curse is revealed.

Once a cursed sword is
used in battle, it may not be thrown away.
If it is stolen or sold, the character is cursed
with the desire to get it back. The character
will always use that weapon when in battle.
(DM, tell the player that this is what the
character wants — and no arguments!)
Only a high level NPC magic-user or cleric
can help a character be rid of the curse.
After the curse is removed, the sword will
become a "normal" magic sword, of whatever
type was rolled.

Then the rules go on to say the same types of minuses apply to any other cursed items, except scrolls. For them, it says:

Unfortunately, when any
writing on a cursed scroll is even seen, the
victim is immediately cursed. No reading is
necessary! You, the DM, must make up
each curse. Examples of a few common
curses are:

[Then it lists 6 examples.]

Regarding other ways to identify, it says:

The only way to identify exactly what an
item does is by testing it (trying on the ring,
sipping the potion, etc.). If a retainer does
this testing, the retainer will expect to keep
the item. A high level NPC magic-user may
be asked to identify an item, but will want
money or a service in advance and may
take several weeks (game time, not real
time) to do it.

Yet, for all the enchantment surrounding magic, there is a profound sense of *wonder* that accompanies it. Magic often presents as a manifestation of the extraordinary, defying the limits of what is considered possible. It challenges the rationality and logic we rely on to make sense of the world around us. It represents a moment of stepping outside the boundaries of what we perceive as reality, allowing us to briefly glimpse the fantastical and the impossible. Despite the allure of magic, it remains an enigma that eludes full comprehension. The very essence of magic lies in its ability to transcend human understanding, existing in a realm that remains beyond our grasp. It is this inherent mystery that continues to draw people towards me, searching for answers and attempting to unravel the secrets I hold. As they identify me as magic, people are compelled to explore, experiment, and venture into the unknown in search of the fantastical. This endless pursuit has led to countless discoveries, inventions, and advancements throughout history. The identification of my existence as magic serves as a catalyst for human curiosity and ingenuity, igniting the desire to push the boundaries of what is known and explore the unexplored. It is in this pursuit that the true magic lies - not in unlocking the secrets of the supernatural, but in the inherent potential of the human spirit..

Reviews for "Unveiling the Mystique: Discovering the Magic That Dwells Within Me"

1. Jane - 2 stars

I found "They identify me as magic" to be disappointing. While the concept of the book sounded intriguing, the execution fell flat for me. The characters lacked depth and the plot felt repetitive. Additionally, the writing style did not engage me and I struggled to stay interested throughout. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book.

2. Tom - 1 star

I couldn't get into "They identify me as magic" at all. The story felt confusing and disorganized, with random plot twists that didn't make sense. The characters were forgettable and their motivations were unclear. I also found the dialogue to be unrealistic and forced. Overall, it was a frustrating reading experience and I would not recommend this book.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

"They identify me as magic" had potential, but it failed to deliver in my opinion. The pacing was slow, and I struggled to connect with the characters. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive reading experience, but this book fell short for me.

Embracing the Otherworldly: Unveiling the Magic That Sets Me Apart