Hold person

[dr_nukem]

If an NPC is held, can you affect that person? The spell description states that the held person can not move, but it does not state they can't *be* moved.

Would forcing the held person to do something (ie, manually moving them) be an opposed str roll?

For example, if you wanted to take the sword out of a held person's hand, how difficult would it be? Standard action, str check DC 10, 15, oppossed str check?

If you wanted to bind a held person's hands behind their back, when originally their hands and arms where in front of them???

We just ran into this situation in our last session and I'm wondering how you all would've handled it.

Cheers,

 

[dvvega]

IN THE REAL WORLD
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Hold Person paralyses all voluntary muscles. A person can still blink, breath, their heart still pumps, but they can't move their bodies.

This kind of rigidity IRL is quite difficult to overcome but it can be done under force. Medical Examiners do it all the time, removing evidence from people's grip, and so forth. Some removal requires the breaking of bones however.

However moving someone's arms behind their back would cause major damage.

IN A FANTASY WORLD
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Now since it is a fantasy world and the spell isn't that powerful, I would say that the rigidity is soft. The person is not capable of willing movement, but their body will not resist to the point that breaking is required. If it was so rigid it would allow large numbers of permanent injuries.

Personally I would allow removal of a sword, movement of arms to another position and so forth.

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

I agree with Dvvega.

Another point;

Hold person requires a Will save. This implies that the spell isn't really affecting the body but the brain.