Freedom of Movement vs. Mummy Despair

[phindar]

Well, I think that's what contributes to the confusion. You have paralysis (from a variety of effects, but all fucntionally the same), Fear effects (shaken, frightened, panicked and cowering, but no paralysis-- a creature only cowers if escape is impossible), and then you have "paralyzed with fear". I'm not unsympathetic to your interpretation, I'm just saying that clearer language would have made it simpler to understand.

I vote "Paralysis from Fear" is Paralysis, otherwise they should have called it something else. And if Freedom of Movement frees you from some types of paralysis but not others, it really should say so in the spell description (like, "this spell frees you from magic that impedes your movement, like physical paralysis").

Since FoM only frees you from "magic that impedes your movement", if the mummy's despair was (ex), then it would make sense that FoM wouldn't help you. But its a magical paralysis, and that's called out specifically in FoM's text.

 

[Shin Okada]

Another vote for Paralysis is Paralysis. Paralysis can be caused by various abilities, but all of them are Paralysis. In this case, Mummy's despair should be both Paralysis and Fear. So immunity to Paralysis will be effective against it. And immunity to Fear will also protect a character from it.

 

[hong]

Quick 'n dirty house rule: freedom of movement gives a +20 bonus to saves vs paralyzation, compulsion, stun effects, and a +20 bonus to Escape Artist checks.

Yeah, this means FoM works against dominate, and not for fighting underwater, but that doesn't seem so unreasonable. It also doesn't work against anything that doesn't have a save, but let's not talk about that.

 

[UnsocialEntity]

Paralyzed is paralyzed. Doesn't matter what caused it. So freedom of movement should protect from the mummy. For whatever reason they chose to use the game term paralyzed, just the same as they use for something like ghoul touch.

Dominate puts you under someone's influence, it doesn't slow them down or cause them to be unable to move. If I cast dominate person on a fighter, I can tell them to run far far away, their movement isn't impeded. It's just directed. In other words, i'd say dominate person would work on someone with freedom of movement on. Of course, if you're worried about domination, protection from [foo] and magic circle against [foo] are low level spells that protect against all of that stuff, so it's usually not a big deal.

This would be the same reason why freedom of movement doesn't protect against frightened or panicked. Your movement isn't impeded, you're able to move as fast as you want. Unfortunately, it probably won't be in the direction you're wishing.

Lastly, from the SRD:
A paralyzed character is frozen in place and unable to move or act. A paralyzed character has effective Dexterity and Strength scores of 0 and is helpless, but can take purely mental actions.

So yes, they can take mental actions.

Edited: Wasn't thinking, and put wouldn't instead of would for dominate person. Noooo, not a freudian slip... hehe.

 

[jontherev]

So do those of you who think FoM gives immunity to anything that impedes movement also think FoM works against any effect that would have otherwise made you frightened or panicked? How about Power Word Stun? How about Power Word Blind for that matter? I mean, if you're blind, technically that impedes your movement right? I believe that the intent of this spell is stop physical things (whether from magical or non-magical means) from preventing you from moving...period. No it doesn't say this in the spell description...that's why we have DMs to adjudicate things like this. YMMV, and probably does.

So, running through the list of conditions, here's a summary of what I think should work with Fom:
Blinded: doesn't help at all (How could you move at normal speed while blinded? you're blind, but somehow FoM gives you some kind of mystical knowledge of what's around you? Sorry, that makes no sense to me). IMO, if you're blinded by any means, FoM doesn't help you at all.
Blown Away: Ok, this one makes sense and should work with FoM.
Checked: FoM works here.
Confused: FoM does NOT help you if you roll the % and have to flee at top speed. Sorry. However, it WILL help you if you happen to be confused and also entangled in a web...you can flee with no problems.
Cowering: frozen with fear...so no, FoM should not apply.
Dazed: I'd say no on this one as well.
Entangled: Of course FoM works here.
Exhausted: Hmmm, actually not sure on this one...I could go either way, depending on the source of exhaustion maybe.
Fatigued: same as exhausted.
Fascinated: FoM doesn't help here imo.
Frightened: as in confusion, FoM only helps you flee more easily.
Grappling: Oh yeah, this is the main reason for FoM.
Helpless: can help you prevent this state by preventing paralysis and held/bound conditions.
Knocked Down: FoM should work here.
Nauseated: Sorry, you still can't attack normally with FoM.
Panicked: see confused.
Paralyzed: yep, except if it's fear-based imo. yeah, they should have used the cowering condition here, but the intent of the ability seems to be along the lines of cowering. I know, we're talking rules here, so obviously this is based on my own opinion. I just think there's a difference. YMMV.
Pinned: Yep, FoM works.
Staggered: Nope, doesn't work here imo.
Stunned: Nope, you're still stunned. You can't move normally and cannot act.

 

[Nareau]

Well, I think that's what contributes to the confusion. You have paralysis (from a variety of effects, but all fucntionally the same), Fear effects (shaken, frightened, panicked and cowering, but no paralysis-- a creature only cowers if escape is impossible), and then you have "paralyzed with fear". I'm not unsympathetic to your interpretation, I'm just saying that clearer language would have made it simpler to understand.

That is an excellent point. I am beginning to think that a mummy's Despair effect should invoke the Panicked condition. Either that, or create a new condition ("terrified"?) where you're helpless and unable to take any actions due to fear.

At any rate, I see the mummy's paralyzation as being caused by your inability to will yourself to move, rather than being physically/magically restrained. "It's not RAW, but it would make a fine house rule!"

Nareau

 

[Artoomis]

The answer is that FoM makes you immune to paralysis.

If one wants to have a condition kind of like being paralyzed but not affected by FoM, one should make the character be cowering. In fact, it would be far better to substitute "Cowering" for "Paralyzed" in this cirumstance than to have FoM not work against paralysis.

It may seem a bit odd in these circumstances, but it is pretty clearly what happens by the rules.

 

[Ltheb Silverfrond]

One of those cases where if they had been more specific on how Despair works it wouldn't be a problem. Personally, I don't think FoM is effective against Despair. FoM normally protects you from effects that restrict your body's movement, but Despair locks up your mind, making it impossible to choose to move. I think by the rules, Despair is beaten by FoM (FoM says it prevents paralysis). I would much prefer you to need to be immune to Fear or Mind-Affecting effects to be immune to Despair, simply because the flavor of Despair makes it seem like only those would be effective.

 

[Artoomis]

One of those cases where if they had been more specific on how Despair works it wouldn't be a problem. Personally, I don't think FoM is effective against Despair. FoM normally protects you from effects that restrict your body's movement, but Despair locks up your mind, making it impossible to choose to move. I think by the rules, Despair is beaten by FoM (FoM says it prevents paralysis). I would much prefer you to need to be immune to Fear or Mind-Affecting effects to be immune to Despair, simply because the flavor of Despair makes it seem like only those would be effective.

The simplest solution is to make the condition be Cowering rather than Paralayzed. Makes more sense, too.


Cowering
The character is frozen in fear and can take no actions. A cowering character takes a -2 penalty to Armor Class and loses her Dexterity bonus (if any).

 

[jontherev]

The simplest solution is to make the condition be Cowering rather than Paralayzed. Makes more sense, too.


Cowering
The character is frozen in fear and can take no actions. A cowering character takes a -2 penalty to Armor Class and loses her Dexterity bonus (if any).

Exactly. I do agree that "by the book" FoM works against Despair. I already stated above why I think this makes no sense.