Dominate Person - Can you feel it?

[Centaur]

For a basic sense of completeness, I have included the write up of Dominate Person from the SRD below.

My Question is this: If Character A Casts Dominate Person onto Character B from hiding (ie. ambush), but does not give any sorts of orders or otherwise activly use the spell, would Character B relize that the spell is in place. In other words, could the spell be established one day, just in case its effects were required later?

Thoughts?

Dominate Person
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Brd 4, Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 round
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One humanoid
Duration: One day/level
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
You can control the actions of any humanoid creature through a telepathic link that you establish with the subject’s mind.
If you and the subject have a common language, you can generally force the subject to perform as you desire, within the limits of its abilities. If no common language exists, you can communicate only basic commands, such as “Come here,” “Go there,” “Fight,” and “Stand still.” You know what the subject is experiencing, but you do not receive direct sensory input from it, nor can it communicate with you telepathically.
Once you have given a dominated creature a command, it continues to attempt to carry out that command to the exclusion of all other activities except those necessary for day-to-day survival (such as sleeping, eating, and so forth). Because of this limited range of activity, a Sense Motive check against DC 15 (rather than DC 25) can determine that the subject’s behavior is being influenced by an enchantment effect (see the Sense Motive skill description).
Changing your instructions or giving a dominated creature a new command is the equivalent of redirecting a spell, so it is a move action.
By concentrating fully on the spell (a standard action), you can receive full sensory input as interpreted by the mind of the subject, though it still can’t communicate with you. You can’t actually see through the subject’s eyes, so it’s not as good as being there yourself, but you still get a good idea of what’s going on.
Subjects resist this control, and any subject forced to take actions against its nature receives a new saving throw with a +2 bonus. Obviously self-destructive orders are not carried out. Once control is established, the range at which it can be exercised is unlimited, as long as you and the subject are on the same plane. You need not see the subject to control it.
If you don’t spend at least 1 round concentrating on the spell each day, the subject receives a new saving throw to throw off the domination.
Protection from evil or a similar spell can prevent you from exercising control or using the telepathic link while the subject is so warded, but such an effect neither prevents the establishment of domination nor dispels it.

 

[Veril]

From the PHB
Spellcraft, DC25+Spell Level. After rolling a saving throw against a spell targeted on you. Determine what the spell wasNo action required, no retry

From the spell text, you have to use the spell for at least 1 round on each day or the subject gets a saving throw to throw the spell off (which you presumably want to avoid). When you are using Dominate Person, DC15 Sense Motive check by anyone around can be used to realise they are under an enchantment
Interestingly nothing in the rules stops you from using sense motive on yourself - probably subjects Sense Motive vs controllers Bluff skill would be more appropriate if you are trying to conceal the presence of the spell from the subject

 

[pvandyck]

Well, by my interpretation this DC 15 check only applies after you've given a command, reading the text.

The SRD has text that indicates that when a saving throw is successful, you get a hostile tingle. When it's failed, nothing about whether you notice or not is mentioned.

In my opinion, Character B, having failed the save versus the Dominate, would NOT know that anything was happening, but someone else could notice with a DC 25 sense motive (DC 15 when Character B is finally given a command) due to Character B's occasional glassy-eyed hesitation, as if he/she was momentarily "listening" for some instructions.

Of course, this interpretation means that Dominate Person is a great spying spell, what with all that "receiving full sensory input business".

pvandycki

 

[Dakkareth]

Mmhh, while we are at it: Can you use dominate to force someone to tell you the truth? Because that would make many interrogation spells a little superfluous ...

 

[Corsair]

Mmhh, while we are at it: Can you use dominate to force someone to tell you the truth? Because that would make many interrogation spells a little superfluous ...

Sure, but most of the spells you're refering to are lower level. Also Clerics get Zone of Truth but not Dominate.

 

[tunkas]

When receiving a new order from your 'Lord', in example to kill another of your friends, do you receive a new ST?? Does it happen every time you receive a new target among your friends??

 

[frankthedm]

The victim does not feel anything is the matter. Congrats on noticing how Dominate Person lets you make sleeper agents!

Also, I'd rule there is nothing to Notice with Sense Motive until the command is given since before then, Dominate does not alter the victim's behavior.

 

[tunkas]

Ufff, you misuderstood me here I think. I'm talking about the will ST (with a +2 modifier) you are allowed when you are asked to do something 'against your nature'. Our DM says that attacking your fellow adveturer is against your nature. So if your master commands you 'Kill your friends' you obviously get a Will ST. But than it decides to specify that command and says 'Kill the wizzard'. Does this second command also gives you a ST, considering the wording 'Subjects RESIST this control, and any subject forced to take ACTIONS against its nature receives a NEW saving throw with a +2 bonus.' ??