Question about Encounter: Vox Unpopuli - Page 3

TippetsTX · 02-07-2019, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skarg

In any case, if you know it well enough to cast it without gestures or voice, there's nothing to observe.

Which also brings up that if you can cast it so that no one can perceive what you're doing (your make gestures that are out of sight to the observers, or incantations that are too soft for them to hear given the distance and other noises) - that could also impair or prevent detection.

Just to add another wrinkle... as I mentioned in another thread, I recall reading a fantasy story many years ago where magic could be identified by its effect on other senses; a taste in the air, the acrid smell of static discharge, or a subtle vibration in the fabric of reality. So there are potentially a variety of ways to identify spells when they are cast that don't rely on recognizing words or hand motions if you really wanted to justify a system like those described above.

Skarg · 02-07-2019, 10:09 AM

Yes. Of course as with many things, it comes down to what the GM wants their game to be like.

In practice, we only occasionally had wizards trying to read each others' spells. Usually that was done in non-combat situations, rather than in the middle of combat.

It occurs to me too that trying to identify a spell being cast might not be a free action, and/or there might be modifiers based on how much attention you can give it.

i.e. You might be able to pay attention to try to read what spell one wizard is casting, but that might require taking an action to do so.

Or, you could add modifiers to the attempt, such as:

+3 if you take an action to pay attention to what spell is being cast.

-2 if you intend to cast a spell this turn yourself

-1 for every nearby figure in combat or otherwise being distracting

-3 for every wizard you have already tried to read this turn

Again, though, this probably belongs in the House Rules sub-forum.

TippetsTX · 02-07-2019, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skarg

Again, though, this probably belongs in the House Rules sub-forum.

Yeah, it probably should've been moved after the 5th post.

02-07-2019, 10:09 AM	#22
Skarg Join Date: May 2015	Re: Question about Encounter: Vox Unpopuli Yes. Of course as with many things, it comes down to what the GM wants their game to be like. In practice, we only occasionally had wizards trying to read each others' spells. Usually that was done in non-combat situations, rather than in the middle of combat. It occurs to me too that trying to identify a spell being cast might not be a free action, and/or there might be modifiers based on how much attention you can give it. i.e. You might be able to pay attention to try to read what spell one wizard is casting, but that might require taking an action to do so. Or, you could add modifiers to the attempt, such as: +3 if you take an action to pay attention to what spell is being cast. -2 if you intend to cast a spell this turn yourself -1 for every nearby figure in combat or otherwise being distracting -3 for every wizard you have already tried to read this turn Again, though, this probably belongs in the House Rules sub-forum.

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