Avert timing question

[DHood64]

after movement, caster lands Avert on a monster engaged with a player (or maybe engaged with the caster themselves).

The caster had higher adjDX than the monster.... so now its the monster's time act while Avert is on it...

When does the spell's "disengage" clause kick in... aka does the monster get to act (aka the disengage kicks in next rounds "movement phase") or must it disengage right now?

[Bill_in_IN]

ITL Page 18:

Avert (T): Defensive spell. When a wizard throws Avert on a
victim, the victim must end his movement at least 2 hexes farther from the wizard than he started, each turn the spell is on. A victim who cannot move away without running into something or falling into a river or chasm must make his saving roll (3 dice against adjDX) to avoid falling down. A figure which cannot move 2 hexes due to being engaged must move as far away as it can, even if it has to disengage. Costs 2 ST to cast, plus 1 each turn it is maintained.

First, per the text, whoever the spell is cast upon, they must move away from the wizard. You can use it make a foe move away from the friend unless that is the same as moving away from the wizard.

Here is how I have done it and I suspect someone will tell me if I'm not following the rules. If the spell is cast before the foe can have an action, they must disengage one hex. If the spell stays active, the foe has to end their move two more hexes away from the wizard. If the foe had high enough DX, they could act first and attack the wizard before they cast the Avert spell. In that case, the affected foe will have to disengage the next turn as their action.

I have seen GMs make an engaged foe move back two hexes instead of one. I don't think that is correct but it didn't really change the affect of the avert all that much.

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by DHood64

after movement, caster lands Avert on a monster engaged with a player (or maybe engaged with the caster themselves).

The caster had higher adjDX than the monster.... so now its the monster's time act while Avert is on it...

When does the spell's "disengage" clause kick in... aka does the monster get to act (aka the disengage kicks in next rounds "movement phase") or must it disengage right now?

Let's say Avert is cast on Turn 1. On this turn, the subject gets to act normally, because the spell description states that they must end their movement phase at least two hexes further from the wizard. Avert was not in effect during movement of Turn 1, so the first movement phase for which Avert well be in effect will be on Turn 2. If, for any reason, they don't end movement at least two hexes further from the wizard, they must use their action to disengage (or possibly to attempt HTH) if that would let them move away from the wizard.

Some GMs will say that Avert kicks in on Turn 1 if the subject has not yet acted and if their movement did not end with them being two hexes further from the wizard, but I do not think this is correct, since it lets the spell have a retroactive effect.

Originally Posted by Bill_in_IN

I have seen GMs make an engaged foe move back two hexes instead of one. I don't think that is correct but it didn't really change the affect of the avert all that much.

You are right, Bill, moving two hexes in a Disengage is not correct.

[Axly Suregrip]

Since the Avert spell mentions disengaging, which can only happen during actions, I would say the monster must disengage on turn 1.

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by Axly Suregrip

Since the Avert spell mentions disengaging, which can only happen during actions, I would say the monster must disengage on turn 1.

The monster was not subject to Avert when Turn 1 movement ended.

[Axly Suregrip]

Originally Posted by Shostak

The monster was not subject to Avert when Turn 1 movement ended.

We are going to have to agree to disagree.

The spell write up also mentions disengaging which is never done during movement but actions. So, therefore the disengage in turn 1 still applies.

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by Axly Suregrip

We are going to have to agree to disagree.

The spell write up also mentions disengaging which is never done during movement but actions. So, therefore the disengage in turn 1 still applies.

Let's take a look some other situations with an eye toward consistency of application. In each situation (save the last), we will assume that Avert was cast in Turn 1, that Figure B did not end their Turn 1 movement at least 2 hexes farther from the wizard who cast Avert, and that Figure B has a lower adjDX than the person who cast Avert.

Situation 1: Figure B is disengaged, has moved no more than 1 hex, and has a ready bow weapon. Disengage is not an option. Since Figure B can't move again, he can act as normal and loose an arrow when their turn in the ajdDX order comes around despite the Avert spell.

Situation 2: Figure B is disengaged, has moved half-MA, and is carrying a spear. Disengage is not an option. Since Figure B can't move again, he can act as normal and throw or jab with the spear when their turn in the ajdDX order comes around despite the Avert spell.

Situation 3: Figure B is disengaged and has moved up to half-MA. Disengage is not an option. Since Figure B can't move again, they can dodge this turn despite the Avert spell.

Situation 4: Figure B is disengaged and has moved no more than 1 hex. Disengage is not an option. Since they cannot move again, he can cast a spell or disbelieve when their turn in the ajdDX order comes around despite the Avert spell.

Situation 5: Figure B is disengaged and has moved no more than 2 hexes. Disengage is not an option. Since they cannot move again, he can ready a weapon when their turn in the ajdDX order comes around despite the Avert spell.

Situation 6: Figure B was unengaged at the start of Turn 1, moved first and moved more than half-MA but less than full-MA, and then became engaged by enemy movement. Having moved too far, no action is allowed. Since they can't disengage, they remain in their hex despite both the AVert spell and having unspent MA.

Consistency with regard to the circumstances posed by the opening post and those I described is impossible with your interpretation of how to apply Avert on Turn 1 without invoking house rules for the latter six. My interpretation, however, results in a harmoniously consistent application of Avert in all situations.

[Axly Suregrip]

Or I like to think of turn 1 actions being consistent with turn 2+ actions. Your method treats the target creature inconsistently the first action phase while under the affects of Avert.

That is, for an engaged figure under this spell they are forced to disengage. No one that is engaged can move 2 hexes, so a engaged figure will always spend movement shifting 1 hex away unless already at the furthest hex and come action phase, they will disengage.

Side issue: I don't understand your situation 6. How is it the disengaged target moved their full movement and did no comply during movement to being under the affects of Avert? (Not important relevant to my point, just looked like a false scenario)

So, regarding engaged figures, my interpretation is the consistent way.

[Shostak]

Originally Posted by Axly Suregrip

Your method treats the target creature inconsistently the first action phase while under the affects of Avert.

How so? According to my interpretation, no subject of Avert is compelled to move instead of act on the turn the spell was cast. That's pretty consistent.

That is, for an engaged figure under this spell they are forced to disengage.

That is your interpretation for the way Avert works on the turn it was cast, not mine.

Side issue: I don't understand your situation 6. How is it the disengaged target moved their full movement and did no comply during movement to being under the affects of Avert? (Not important relevant to my point, just looked like a false scenario)

Because movement on Turn 1 ended before the Avert spell could be cast.

[Axly Suregrip]

Regarding disengaging, I wrote, "That is, for an engaged figure under this spell they are forced to disengage."

And you replied:

Originally Posted by Shostak

That is your interpretation for the way Avert works on the turn it was cast, not mine.

ITL on Avert says, "A figure which cannot move 2 hexes due to being engaged
must move as far away as it can, even if it has to disengage."