How does Charm Person work?

[Theo R Cwithin]

Also, it should not function like dominate person.

This, absolutely. If it's being used to control you, the DM is letting it be used incorrectly.

Next time he does it, stick a sword in his brain-- but do it in the most friendly manner possible. Because you're charmed, after all.

 

[aboyd]

If you ever manage to make a saving throw against the spell, you'll know that he was trying to cast in a hostile manner. See here:

A creature that successfully saves against a spell that has no obvious physical effects feels a hostile force or a tingle, but cannot deduce the exact nature of the attack.

So you may not know which spell was cast upon you unless you get a high Spellcraft roll, but you will feel a hostile force or tingle, and that ought to be enough for you to pummel the hell out of your companion.

Also, there is nothing to say that you cannot just haul off and give the guy a smackdown just for casting regardless of the spell. If you see him casting and feel suspicious, who's to say you wouldn't ready an action for the next casting and harm him to interrupt the spell?

 

[Dandu]

Because you're friends?

 

[Gilladian]

How long would you really remain friends with someone who thinks it's "fun" to take over his "friend's" brain and force him to behave in ways that are not normal to him?

Because that's what's going on.

I suspect the fighter would have every right to slug the psion in the jaw the next time he even THINKS a spell is being cast on him. And if he does it often enough, the psion will stop thinking such abuse is fun.

The psion is being a bully, and needs to be stopped, and taught a lesson. Or, more likely, the psion's PLAYER is being a bully, and the same lesson needs to be taught...

 

[Dandu]

Ah, but you don't know he's taken over you brain.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

How about the next time you're in a fight after you're charmed, your fighter suddenly gets piss-your-pants scared and ducks cowers behind the psion, leaving him directly exposed to an enemy's charge. As he does so, he quivers and tells the psion that in fact, battle and the chances of being injured terrify him, and he's always just tried to put forth a brave face because it was his "job" and until know no one truly "understood" him or his feelings. But now, with a soul mate such as you [the psion], he's comfortable letting his guard down.

Too corny or unbelievable? It'd be funny...

 

[radmod]

Stupid question time.
I don't do/allow Psionics because of the scars from 1e, so I really don't know. When a psion 'casts' is there anything verbal, somatic? I'm guessing no.
If there was, the PC could always say, "why is it when you gesture I start agreeing with you?"

EDIT: really, if the PC/player is being harassed the DM should be stepping in.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

There are "displays." It could be auditory, could be a smell, could be a mental tingling felt by all in the area, whatever. The specific powers say what display they have. But...you can do a skill check to manifest without the display, and I don't think it's that difficult to make.

 

[Dandu]

No.

Also, 3.5 psionics is well balanced in comparison to arcane magic.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Also, 3.5 psionics is well balanced in comparison to arcane magic.

Debatable IMO....

Not derailing this thread, though. And the subject's been beaten to death in many other threads already.