Magic-using Riot Cops?

[Harbinjer]

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!

[Refplace]

Wands of a minor body control spell like itch or retching could be useful. Alchemical powders for the equivalent f tear gas.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Harbinjer

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.

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.

[AlexanderHowl]

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).

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl

Mass Sleep is an obvious (if expensive) solution

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.

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by Anthony

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.

I find Rain makes a nice anti-rioter spell (for those larger riots).

[Culture20]

Originally Posted by Anthony

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.

At TL3, the rioters *are* your army. Few lords could pay a standing army, so it would be locals joining a battle either pressed or as mercenaries. If the locals are rioting, that's your army. Hopefully you didn't train them before the last skirmish.

[Harbinjer]

Originally Posted by Culture20

At TL3, the rioters *are* your army. Few lords could pay a standing army, so it would be locals joining a battle either pressed or as mercenaries. If the locals are rioting, that's your army. Hopefully you didn't train them before the last skirmish.

Except I'm not worried about foot-soldiers. The question is how does a city in that situation keep the peace when there are magic users throwing around fireballs (or worse). An ordinary town guard won't be prepared for that. Even a low-level adventuring party could be an unstopable force for mayhem if they put thier minds to it.
What is necessary to make the town guard prepared?

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by Harbinjer

Except I'm not worried about foot-soldiers. The question is how does a city in that situation keep the peace when there are magic users throwing around fireballs (or worse). An ordinary town guard won't be prepared for that. Even a low-level adventuring party could be an unstopable force for mayhem if they put thier minds to it.
What is necessary to make the town guard prepared?

In that situation, you get serious about retaliation. The same way you do when modern rioters bring guns. The guy with the hardware has a serious target painted on him.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Harbinjer

What is necessary to make the town guard prepared?

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.