01-13-2020, 07:29 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Sep 2018
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Magic-using Riot Cops?
I hadn't plan to start a thread for this, but the Honey, I summoned a Demon thread, comes close to an issue I'm struggling with in my campaign.
How does a low-tech/high magic society prepare for (in my case) crowd control and riot control? Even one magic user could cause a lot of havoc if there's not a plan to deal with him. My initial thinking is that the "beat cops" all have some sort of signal that they can use in emergencies to summon a crew of 5-6 mages who surround the area, shut down all magic nearby, and then possibly put everyone to sleep. Or something. Everyone wakes up in a jail cell (lined with mana-blocking materials) and the judge sorts it out after-the-fact. I'm looking for better ideas, please! |
01-13-2020, 08:46 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Yukon, OK
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Re: Magic-using Riot Cops?
Wands of a minor body control spell like itch or retching could be useful. Alchemical powders for the equivalent f tear gas.
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01-13-2020, 08:59 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Magic-using Riot Cops?
Depends how advanced their rule of law is. At TL 3, calling out the army and killing rioters until they flee isn't that exotic. Magic has less lethal options; the Smoke spell is pretty good as lower tech tear gas, Fear is probably good at getting them to disperse. Or just summon a creature with Terror.
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01-13-2020, 10:03 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Re: Magic-using Riot Cops?
Mass Sleep is an obvious (if expensive) solution, especially if the people who catch them get a percentage of their fines (or sale price if slavery is allowed and a legal punishment for rioting).
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01-13-2020, 10:21 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Magic-using Riot Cops?
Cost and casting time make it pretty limited. A ten hex smoke can be cast in one turn for ten fatigue and will disperse a mob nicely; a ten hex mass sleep takes 30s and 30fp.
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01-14-2020, 04:19 AM | #6 |
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: 100 hurricane swamp
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Re: Magic-using Riot Cops?
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01-14-2020, 09:33 AM | #7 | |
Join Date: Feb 2014
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Re: Magic-using Riot Cops?
Quote:
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01-14-2020, 03:32 PM | #8 | |
Join Date: Sep 2018
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Re: Magic-using Riot Cops?
Quote:
What is necessary to make the town guard prepared? |
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01-14-2020, 03:42 PM | #9 | |
Hero of Democracy
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: far from the ocean
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Re: Magic-using Riot Cops?
Quote:
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01-14-2020, 04:24 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Magic-using Riot Cops?
There's a good chance they aren't prepared, and preparation may still be lethal force. Use of nonlethal force is generally a luxury for those who have access to overwhelming superiority.
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