Breaking the Curse of the Descendants: Can It Be Done?

The curse of the descendants is a concept that suggests that the actions or behaviors of our ancestors can have lasting effects on future generations. It is based on the belief that past wrongdoings or unresolved issues can create negative energy or karma that continues to impact the lives of descendants. This idea is often found in folklore, myths, and religious beliefs of various cultures around the world. It is believed that if an ancestor committed a crime, caused harm to others, or lived a life of immorality, their descendants will be subject to the consequences of these actions. The curse of the descendants is not limited to just actions, but also includes emotions and unresolved traumas. It is believed that if an ancestor went through a particularly difficult and traumatic experience, their descendants may inherit the emotional burden, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, or other mental health problems.

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.

It is believed that if an ancestor went through a particularly difficult and traumatic experience, their descendants may inherit the emotional burden, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, or other mental health problems. One example of the curse of the descendants can be seen in the story of the Greek mythological figure, Oedipus. Due to his father's curse, Oedipus unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother, causing a chain of tragic events that affect not only himself but also his children and future generations.

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.

Another example is the concept of generational trauma, which suggests that trauma experienced by a previous generation can be passed down to subsequent generations. This can be seen in cases where the children or grandchildren of Holocaust survivors may experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) despite never directly experiencing the trauma themselves. However, it is important to note that the curse of the descendants is not universally accepted or proven. It is more of a cultural belief or interpretation of events and may vary from culture to culture. Additionally, there is a growing understanding in the field of psychology that individuals have the ability to break free from the patterns established by their ancestors and create their own path. While the idea of the curse of the descendants can be intriguing, it is essential to approach it with skepticism and critical thinking. It is important to remember that we have the power to shape our own lives and destinies, regardless of the actions of our ancestors. We should focus on healing ourselves and creating positive legacies for future generations rather than being weighed down by the perceived curses of the past..

Reviews for "The Enigmatic Curse of the Descendants: Forces Beyond Our Control"

1. Jennifer - 1/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'Curse of the Descendants'. The plot was weak and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional. I also found the pacing to be off, with some scenes dragging on unnecessarily while others were rushed. Overall, it just didn't live up to the hype for me."

2. Michael - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Curse of the Descendants' but unfortunately, it fell short. The story had potential, but it lacked depth and felt disjointed at times. The main characters were not well-developed, and their motivations seemed forced. The writing style also left a lot to be desired, with awkward dialogue and repetitive phrases. I was hoping for a thrilling paranormal mystery, but I was left feeling underwhelmed."

3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I found 'Curse of the Descendants' to be a bit cliché and unoriginal. The story felt like a mix of other young adult fantasy novels I've read before, and there were no fresh or surprising elements to keep me engaged. The romance subplot was particularly uninspiring, with little chemistry between the characters. It's a shame because the premise had potential, but the execution fell flat."

4. David - 3/5 stars - "While 'Curse of the Descendants' wasn't terrible, it wasn't great either. The plot felt predictable and lacked any real surprises. The dialogue was also quite cheesy at times, and I found it hard to connect with the characters. However, I did appreciate the world-building and some of the action scenes were fairly well-written. Overall, it's an okay read if you're looking for something light, but don't expect anything groundbreaking."

5. Emily - 2/5 stars - "I struggled to get through 'Curse of the Descendants'. The pacing was slow, and the story failed to capture my interest. The characters felt generic and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about their fates. The writing style was also lackluster and failed to evoke any emotions in me. I was really hoping for an exciting fantasy adventure, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver."

Unveiling the Curse of the Descendants: Ghosts from the Past