That is precisely what I was thinking. I could even give them an ooc note that says 'we're depending on you keeping that item there, so dont be a dork and go deleting it'. In a kinder tone.
Indeed. It can certainly be set up on a single map, such as your lovely difficulty slider, and it might be possible to do a misdirect. The user is not likely to destroy the optional inventory items they carry, so I could simply fuss at them if they do so and ask them to make the decision again. That would only affect a few…
I bet I'm echoing other people here... 1. OR operations 2. Quest-wide flags or values 3. Authorship sharing, or the ability to let someone specific visit/play my unfinished work like a friend 4. Bosses!!!! Those 4 things and I will be able to live indefinitely without scripting, even though I'd love that too ;)