frankthedm
First Post
Harpy’s Song; Does offering no resistance to the harpy’s attacks = CDG target?
This came up recently. The victim was saved in time, but reading over the harpy’s Captivating Song, the exact effect when the victim gets next to the harpy is not that clear. 3E is usually quite specific and concise on such matters, so I am surprised it just reads; “A victim within 5 feet of the harpy stands there and offers no resistance to the monster’s attacks”
Now I can imagine that could be interpreted as Losing one’s dex bonus, forgoing any dex modifier [thus -5 to AC] or even letting the Harpy CDG you since not resisting attacks tends to be lethal.
Captivating Song (Su)
The most insidious ability of the harpy is its song. When a harpy sings, all creatures (other than harpies) within a 300-foot spread must succeed on a DC 16 Will save or become captivated. This is a sonic mind-affecting charm effect. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the same harpy’s song for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.
A captivated victim walks toward the harpy, taking the most direct route available. If the path leads into a dangerous area (through flame, off a cliff, or the like), that creature gets a second saving throw. Captivated creatures can take no actions other than to defend themselves. (Thus, a fighter cannot run away or attack but takes no defensive penalties.) A victim within 5 feet of the harpy stands there and offers no resistance to the monster’s attacks. The effect continues for as long as the harpy sings and for 1 round thereafter. A bard’s countersong ability allows the captivated creature to attempt a new Will save.
This came up recently. The victim was saved in time, but reading over the harpy’s Captivating Song, the exact effect when the victim gets next to the harpy is not that clear. 3E is usually quite specific and concise on such matters, so I am surprised it just reads; “A victim within 5 feet of the harpy stands there and offers no resistance to the monster’s attacks”
Now I can imagine that could be interpreted as Losing one’s dex bonus, forgoing any dex modifier [thus -5 to AC] or even letting the Harpy CDG you since not resisting attacks tends to be lethal.
Captivating Song (Su)
The most insidious ability of the harpy is its song. When a harpy sings, all creatures (other than harpies) within a 300-foot spread must succeed on a DC 16 Will save or become captivated. This is a sonic mind-affecting charm effect. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the same harpy’s song for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.
A captivated victim walks toward the harpy, taking the most direct route available. If the path leads into a dangerous area (through flame, off a cliff, or the like), that creature gets a second saving throw. Captivated creatures can take no actions other than to defend themselves. (Thus, a fighter cannot run away or attack but takes no defensive penalties.) A victim within 5 feet of the harpy stands there and offers no resistance to the monster’s attacks. The effect continues for as long as the harpy sings and for 1 round thereafter. A bard’s countersong ability allows the captivated creature to attempt a new Will save.
