[RPG] What happens when multiple Wish spells conflict

dnd-5espellswish

Let's assume a paranoid Lich casts Wish, wishing that his most valuable magic artifact XYZ can never be removed from his side.

PC party member Gandalf later wishes for this item to appear next to him, without its owner.

What happens? And would the result be different if Gandalf had explicitly included a phrase like "override any contradicting Wishes", if that's valid to include?

Assume that the GM permits both Wishes; quote from the spell description:

  • [examples]

You might be able to achieve something beyond the scope of the above examples. State your wish to the DM as precisely as possible. The DM has great latitude in ruling what occurs in such an instance; […]

Best Answer

You have to ask your GM

The effect of custom wishes is entirely in the purview of the GM. We get this quote from the spell description:

This spell might simply fail, the effect you desire might only be partly achieved, or you might suffer some unforeseen consequence as a result of how you worded the wish.

Any of these possibilities and so many more could be an option in this circumstance.

Some things for the GM to consider

  • The wording of the wishes. Wish has traditionally been a spell heavily influenced by wording so perhaps wishing the item to appear at your side teleports the lich with the item since the lich is not the rightful owner (perhaps the artifact was stolen). I'd be careful when abusing wording as the player can sometimes feel cheated or duped.
  • Unforeseen consequences. This is usually my favorite approach for "game-breaking" wishes. If the lich having the artifact is integral to the plot, perhaps the item divides into two parts. I've used this method before and it leads to lots of interesting developments, especially if the artifact gains the desire to be united adjusting its usefulness for both the PC and the NPC.
  • It might just fail. While this is often dissatisfying for the player, when properly described it can lead to a deal of gravitas with the situation. I've said things like "a great reality-fixing magic holds the artifact to the lich and your words of power are unable to separate the entities. The wish fails." (with different context of course). This shows the players the vast power of the lich and encourages more precaution when preparing to combat the creature.
  • What's more fun? What it mostly boils down to is what is best for the game so that everyone has a good time. This will depend on the table and the players involved (including the GM). Wish is a very fun spell when used properly and can lead to many shenanigans that spice up the story. Treating custom wishes like a plot steer-er rather than a set-in-stone mechanical option is the best approach from my experience.
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