Dominate, Psionic

[RigaMortus2]

This is really a general question for Dominate Person...

What actions exactly can you control with Dominate Person? Can you control a person's speaking ability? Either prevent them from speaking or make them say what you want? Can you control a person's thoughts? If a person is dominated, do they KNOW they are dominated? Would they realize they are attacking their friends but just not be able to do anything about it (such as speak or somehow warn others)?

Dominate, Psionic can last for days... So what happens when the "controller" is asleep or not actively concentrating? Does the dominated person just act normal? Do they go limp? Do they stand around waiting for mental commands? Can they respond to others on their own?

 

[Thanee]

As far as I see it, you can telepathically order them to do pretty much anything.

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.

'Against its nature' is the important part here. So, what is against one's nature?

Is it something you would not normally do? Like telling a secret to someone you do not know?
I would say no. It only applies, when there are stronger orders, like killing an innocent, if the dominated person is good-aligned. I think good-aligned creatures would also get a save, when you want to turn them against their allies, I wouldn't give such a save to an evil or neutral person, except in special circumstances (like one's best friends or something like that). This is something, that has to be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis, as every person is different.

When left uncontrolled, the person will probably be apathic and do nothing much... only if there is real need to do something (eat, sleep, defend oneself, etc), the person will do so. Maybe the person would follow its regular daily routine, just a lot less enthusiastic.

Well, you need a DC 15 Sense Motive check to find out, that a person is being dominated, so they obviously do not completely neglect anything (i.e. would respond if talked to, etc), because then it would be rather automatic. But the DC is low, so they do act a lot different, than a normal person would, and it should be easy enough to figure, that there is something wrong even without beating the DC (you just won't know what exactly).

Bye
Thanee

 

[jgsugden]

Quick answers:

You control actions, not perceptions. You can't make the target see something differently, or take a different world view, but you can force them to take mental actions, such as activate a spell-like ability.

The target follows your commands, even when you are unconcious. If there are no active commands in place, the rules are silent on what happens, but as a default, it would seem that the target is free to do as it pleases. This would happen if no commands were given at the time the power is exercised, or if all commands have been completed or have no way of being furthered at the present time.

 

[Thanee]

Oh, and I would definitely say, that the person itself does not know about the domination.

Bye
Thanee

 

[jgsugden]

Oh, and I would definitely say, that the person itself does not know about the domination.

Bye
Thanee

I'd disagree with this. It is kind of hard for a person to miss out on the fact that they are being dominated. There is no thought control evident in the spell, just control of actions.

 

[MatthewJHanson]

I'd disagree with this. It is kind of hard for a person to miss out on the fact that they are being dominated. There is no thought control evident in the spell, just control of actions.

I agree. I see the fact that they are allowed new saves if something goes against their nature as evidence. They know they are being forced to do something they don't want to and so they resist it.

 

[RigaMortus]

So if they know they are dominated, when the "controller" goes to sleep, what prevents the dominated person from telling thier friends "Help, I am dominated!"???

 

[jgsugden]

A lingering command would stop the warning, if given by the one doing the dominating. If yuo read the dominate person spell, you'll see that it is pretty easy to spot someone under the influence ... DC15 or so.

 

[Taren Seeker]

Well, if the Dominator orders the victim to never tell anyone he is dominated, he can sleep in peace.

 

[RigaMortus]

That seems a little silly though. I mean, if you had to command your victim to not tell anyone they were dominated, you'd have to do thatall the time, and pretty much right away. I guess it isn't a big deal, but this just reminds me of the lawyering "disclamer" for Wish spells (you know what I mean, like in 1st and 2nd edition where before you make your wish, you have to state a disclamer to prevent your character from getting screwed). You would need a disclaimer every time you cast Dominate Person.

Player: I cast Dominate Person with the stipulations that:
(a) once dominted the victim can never tell anyone he is dominated
(b) if I am not directly commanding my victim he will continue to act like himself without waiting for further commands from me, until such a time occurs where I decide to command... blah, blah, blah... etc, etc, etc...