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<blockquote data-quote="CapnZapp" data-source="post: 7024216" data-attributes="member: 12731">Sorry, but I'm taking a ruthlessly utilitarian view on this. You can create a wall of text, but for what purpose?Can you or can you not accomplish both of the following things simultaneously?1) thwart, impede or outright shut down the monster2) while by clever illusion design deny the monster an escapeI am of the position that a level two spell should not and must not be allowed both 1+2. If the spell only accomplishes 1, it is a variant of hold monster or blindness/deafness. It would be a strong variant of those spells, but not brokenly so.If the spell only accomplishes 2, it is useless in combat (since even if it can't escape it isn't impeded), but it can still be very useful for a variety of other uses: trick the princess into getting late for coronation, thereby giving you the chance to usurp the kingdom yourselves. Or whatever.So forgive me for not entering the discussion of the detailed breakdown of what the spell can accomplish, since if there ever arises a situation where both 1+2 can happen, that breakdown can't be used. It's much easier to step out of the game reality, and simply impose certain gameplay checks and balances there. Then, when the player knows what can and can't be done, you can give him or her leeway to work out the details freely, since now you don't need any particulars. Now you don't need detailed instructions since you have already instructed the player there are certain boundaries that the spell simply can't overstep.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="CapnZapp, post: 7024216, member: 12731"] Sorry, but I'm taking a ruthlessly utilitarian view on this. You can create a wall of text, but for what purpose? Can you or can you not accomplish both of the following things simultaneously? 1) thwart, impede or outright shut down the monster 2) while by clever illusion design deny the monster an escape I am of the position that a level two spell should not and must not be allowed both 1+2. If the spell only accomplishes 1, it is a variant of hold monster or blindness/deafness. It would be a strong variant of those spells, but not brokenly so. If the spell only accomplishes 2, it is useless in combat (since even if it can't escape it isn't impeded), but it can still be very useful for a variety of other uses: trick the princess into getting late for coronation, thereby giving you the chance to usurp the kingdom yourselves. Or whatever. So forgive me for not entering the discussion of the detailed breakdown of what the spell can accomplish, since if there ever arises a situation where both 1+2 can happen, that breakdown can't be used. It's much easier to step out of the game reality, and simply impose certain gameplay checks and balances there. Then, when the player knows what can and can't be done, you can give him or her leeway to work out the details freely, since now you don't need any particulars. Now you don't need detailed instructions since you have already instructed the player there are certain boundaries that the spell simply can't overstep. [/QUOTE]

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