casting in public?
- Thread starter alsih2o
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Crothian
First Post
It depends on the culture and their attitude for magic but yes the public will have some sort of reaction. There are places were people will gawk in amazingment or react in fear. It also matters with the spell that is being cast.
If a Wizard wants to disguise his attempt he'd need the meta magic feats like Silent spell and still spell.
If a Wizard wants to disguise his attempt he'd need the meta magic feats like Silent spell and still spell.
Skade
Explorer
Depends on the campaign for me. I tend to be a little more lenient in FR or other more "high fantasy" settings, but in my own, Rokugan, or even Iron Kingdoms there are definite repercusions to casting in public. Usually it's awe mixed with just a little bit of fear for wizards, much the same if its a priest, depending on the nature of the magic, and the god (explanation coming), and for sorcerors it can end up getting nasty.
I have a feat called Subtle Casting in my games, which allows the caster to make a concentration check 10+spell level to cast under the breath, with subtle movements and little visual effect. This can be done on the fly, to prepare a spell that way is +1 level. No check required for that.
Magic is subtly colored by the source of that magic. Divine magic in particular is affected by this. A god of good and bunnies' magic would be full of sunmotes and warm fresh scents, whereas a god of evil and vampires would be reminiscent of blood and tomb smells. This is a subtle thing, not enough to require massive game mechanics, but the idea is instead that casual onlookers can feel evil or good magic, and those with spellcraft might be able to know its source. For sorcerors their main concern is whether someone realizes that they did not learn to cast magic from a reliable source. Sorcerors have had a history of ending up on flaming sticks in the past.
I have a feat called Subtle Casting in my games, which allows the caster to make a concentration check 10+spell level to cast under the breath, with subtle movements and little visual effect. This can be done on the fly, to prepare a spell that way is +1 level. No check required for that.
Magic is subtly colored by the source of that magic. Divine magic in particular is affected by this. A god of good and bunnies' magic would be full of sunmotes and warm fresh scents, whereas a god of evil and vampires would be reminiscent of blood and tomb smells. This is a subtle thing, not enough to require massive game mechanics, but the idea is instead that casual onlookers can feel evil or good magic, and those with spellcraft might be able to know its source. For sorcerors their main concern is whether someone realizes that they did not learn to cast magic from a reliable source. Sorcerors have had a history of ending up on flaming sticks in the past.
MerakSpielman
First Post
I think it would be illegal in public - just like waving your sword around randomly. People don't know what your intentions are unless they have enough ranks in spellcraft. They really have to assume the worst, unless they have a reason to trust you personally.
IMC, part of the world is ruled over by an Inquisition-type force of the main religion which has outlawed arcane spellcasters. I started my group in this part of the world just to see how they would react to it.
When in public, I allow them to make a Bluff Roll at DC 10 + Spell-level to "disguise" their casting as something else. It's not really too overpowering b/c Bluff is a cross-class skill for Wizards and Sorcerers.
The rest of the group has also learned to make a circle around the caster to try to block the view of any onlookers.
They have adapted to this well, so I'm pretty lenient in letting them get away with it. The mere fact that they've picked up on the fact that they just can't walk around casting fireballs all over the place is enough that I don't really need too many game mechanics to work it out.
And, like Skade, the divine, arcane, and nature spell all have different external affects that astute people can pick up on (different "auras" around the spellcasters when they cast).
When in public, I allow them to make a Bluff Roll at DC 10 + Spell-level to "disguise" their casting as something else. It's not really too overpowering b/c Bluff is a cross-class skill for Wizards and Sorcerers.
The rest of the group has also learned to make a circle around the caster to try to block the view of any onlookers.
They have adapted to this well, so I'm pretty lenient in letting them get away with it. The mere fact that they've picked up on the fact that they just can't walk around casting fireballs all over the place is enough that I don't really need too many game mechanics to work it out.
And, like Skade, the divine, arcane, and nature spell all have different external affects that astute people can pick up on (different "auras" around the spellcasters when they cast).
Skade
Explorer
If we are talking about legality, then we have a whole slew of other issues. Yeah, spellcasting is generally illegal, unless liscenced by the state in some way. For that matter so is carrying a weapon deemed an instrument of war in most civilized parts of the world, or wearing armor. Townsfolk seeing a spell cast would likely send for the watch, sherrifs, or more powerful policing agents if necessary. Bards do tend to get away with it a bit more than most, and priests of very popular gods can almost always assume the populace will accept their actions.
Yes, there would be a public reaction to open spellcasting. In my campaign, the only spellcasting that wouldn't get the caster in trouble is curative divine magic (cure __ wounds, for example)--outside the cities, there's more leeway, but due to world history, arcane magic is considered suspect (no matter how useful to adventurers). As far as disguising what they're doing--if they want to try to, they're welcome to try, but I want a description of how they plan to do that, not just a plain statement that they want to.
Arnwyn
First Post
IMC, casting in public is seriously frowned upon. It will get you a hefty fine from a benevolent city, and major dungeon time (not the fun kind of dungeon) in stricter populated areas.
When waving your hands and mumbling something can cause a blazing ball of fire capable of killing a large number of commoners instantly, you're looked upon with great suspicion at the *best* of times.
Clerics are allowed a bit of leeway, but they must be from an existing temple in the town/city, or accepted religion in smaller centers.
In the wilderness, it's everyone for themselves!
As to allowing them to disguise their casting attempts - to be honest, it's never come up. I think I had adapted a Dark Sun proficiency ("Disguise Casting" or something like that) into a feat, but no one's ever asked about it. My PCs have always decided that discretion is the better part of valor, and simply *don't*, or make it clear to the authorities what their intentions are.
If it came up, I don't know what I'd do. Probably throw it out to my players for commentary and suggestions. Maybe a disguise skill check vs DC 15+spell level? Or Concentration? Or maybe Pick Pockets (aka sleight of hand)? *shrug* IMO, I wouldn't make it easy.
In the end, if they want to disguise their casting, they should probably take Still Spell and/or Silent Spell feats.
When waving your hands and mumbling something can cause a blazing ball of fire capable of killing a large number of commoners instantly, you're looked upon with great suspicion at the *best* of times.
Clerics are allowed a bit of leeway, but they must be from an existing temple in the town/city, or accepted religion in smaller centers.
In the wilderness, it's everyone for themselves!
As to allowing them to disguise their casting attempts - to be honest, it's never come up. I think I had adapted a Dark Sun proficiency ("Disguise Casting" or something like that) into a feat, but no one's ever asked about it. My PCs have always decided that discretion is the better part of valor, and simply *don't*, or make it clear to the authorities what their intentions are.
If it came up, I don't know what I'd do. Probably throw it out to my players for commentary and suggestions. Maybe a disguise skill check vs DC 15+spell level? Or Concentration? Or maybe Pick Pockets (aka sleight of hand)? *shrug* IMO, I wouldn't make it easy.
In the end, if they want to disguise their casting, they should probably take Still Spell and/or Silent Spell feats.
