Can a creature be neither an enemy nor an ally?

[UltimaGabe]

So, a big battle in our game tonight involved a former-ally-turned-death-knight turning against our enemy (his new master) and fighting on our side. The Paladin used Hallowed Circle, which has different effects for enemies and allies in the area. The Paladin didn't really want the former ally to be considered an enemy (and thus take damage), but he didn't want him to be considerd an ally (and thus gain a bonus to defenses) in case he turned out to be an enemy after all.

Can he be considered neither?

 

[On Puget Sound]

I would say it's the paladin's call as to who is whom. After all, if the party were infiltrated by a spy or a doppelganger who planned to betray them, but this plan was still secret when the paladin cast the circle, would the spy be treated as an ally? He has to; otherwise....

you've given the party a 100% accurate Plot Detector. A party in an intrigue-heavy campaign could just gather together and cast this or a similar spell at every short rest, and see who winces in pain. The person using the power defines allies and enemies, when there is any question. And of course he can say 'I'm not sure about that one...leave him out."

 

[UltimaGabe]

I would say it's the paladin's call as to who is whom. After all, if the party were infiltrated by a spy or a doppelganger who planned to betray them, but this plan was still secret when the paladin cast the circle, would the spy be treated as an ally? He has to; otherwise....

you've given the party a 100% accurate Plot Detector. A party in an intrigue-heavy campaign could just gather together and cast this or a similar spell at every short rest, and see who winces in pain.

No, you misunderstand.

The Paladin, of course, decides who's an ally and who's an enemy. I'm asking, can he choose to neither hurt nor help someone? Whether he's an ally or not isn't in question- if the Paladin considers him an ally, he's an ally (even if he's an enemy in disguise). But if he considers him an enemy, he's an enemy (even if he is in fact an ally). But can he choose to consider him neither?

 

[On Puget Sound]

The power hits "enemies" in the area, and has an effect on "allies" in the area. Whether there exists a third category in D&D (bystanders? noncombatants? neutrals? UN observers?) is not, to my knowledge, addressed in the rules. If you want to get technical and literal, there are likely to be cockroaches, mice, sparrows and other beings on the battlefield that are never modeled in play, so we never pay attention to what happens to them.

 

[Flipguarder]

Flipguarder's rule #132:

Why the hell not?

 

[Bumbles]

I would say that if the Death Knight turned against the PC's, in particular the Paladin, it'd become an enemy and lose all the benefits automatically.

Assuming it's not some god of treachery involved, or the god didn't favor the DK's cause.

 

[Oompa]

Rule wise there is no between in Ally/Enemie..

I as a DM have had a different situation where the party captured a kobold and took it with them, one half of the party saw him as an ally and the other half as an enemy.

Although some persons did not want to chose between ally/enemie i made them chose cause rules wise it would be easier..

 

[On Puget Sound]

I'd like to see a rules citation on that. Where is it stated that everyone must be either an ally or an enemy?

 

[Oompa]

Okay so someone who is not willing can be an ally.. and is not perse an enemy.

My bad.

 

[Mirtek]

I'd like to see a rules citation on that. Where is it stated that everyone must be either an ally or an enemy?

PHB I, page 57: . “Enemy” or “enemies” means a creature or creatures that aren’t your allies (whether those creatures are hostile toward you or not).

Okay so someone who is not willing can be an ally.. and is not perse an enemy.

No, if he's unwilling he's not your ally (PHB I, page 57: willing targets).

Ally is a choice made by both, enemy is a choice made by one of them