how far would he go (Charm Monster)?

[uzagi_akimbo]

Ok - we ran into a problem IMC, concerning "Charm Monster"

First off - the group consists only of evil characters, with varying degrees of negotiable loyalty, depravity and general wickedness, although honour and reputation play a large role.

Last session the group ransacked the manison of the mage who's guest they were supposed to kidnap, which devolved into a running fight with guards, constructs and activated traps. In the middle of this battle, the Tannarukk (Half-demon/orc from FR) fighter runs off down on corridor, turns a corner and comes face to face with the big Honcho - who proceeds to cast "Charm Monster", the Will-save to which the fighter of course fails. He is now the mages friend and ally and magically compelled views him as "friendly", judging his actions, suggestions and views most favourably. The group had not yet faced that mage, not even seen him in person before this - they just knew he would be around, but thought him a pushover.

The tannarukk character has a penchant for bloodshed, actually exults in it and proving his physical superiority is his favourite pasttime. He has several times before physically threatened various group members over negligible matters. At least once, he has made good on his threats, biting off some fingers.... He is chaotic evil in alignment, likes or fears none of the other characters in any notable way and generally hangs out with the group because it does get him much better payment, and they help with the hassle caused by his appearance ( his former master having been slain, leaving him stranded far from his home-turf ) - basically it is an alliance of convenience among mercenaries. This information is just to make his motivations clear.

The round following the "Charm Monster"-spell, the remaining characters round the corner, and the mage, seeing another set of blood-caked villains pitches the offer of "500gp each for their heads" to the tannarukk (which is quite a bunch of money for the character ) . The opposed charisma check is easily won by the mage, too.

Now - will the chaotic evil tannarukk mercenary commence ripping apart his former colleagues who he basically cares nothing for and fears neitherl ?

We resolved it via "GM's decision" but it caused some lengthy debate after the game. Charm person/monster does not allow another save, the act asked is not in itself suicidical, and the mage had not attacked the character(s) before, so there was not even much of a situational save modifier involved.

 

[mikebr99]

I'd be rolling initiative between The tannarukk and the rest of the party.

YMMV


Mike

 

[Thanee]

He is chaotic evil... nuff said. Loyalty? Remorse? Conscience? What's that!?

And he has at least one trusted friend there... who happens to be not among his former party.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Davelozzi]

Yeah, I'd say he'd attack them. After all, isn't it common procedure to let the PCs charm enemies an have them switch sides in battle?* Sure they get a bonus to their save DC if already threatened, but if they fail the save and the charisma check, bye bye friends. This is just the same situation in reverse, but not even as bad.

*Is this common procedure? It's how I've always seen charm spells played, though certainly an argument could be made that it's a little too much power for the relevant spell levels.

 

[Epametheus]

It'd actually be in character for the tannaruk to try to take the heads of the other PCs. That's just one of the drawbacks of being in an evil party.

 

[Thanee]

*Is this common procedure? It's how I've always seen charm spells played, though certainly an argument could be made that it's a little too much power for the relevant spell levels.

That's exactly why they grant the +5 bonus in combat situations.
Because the spell is quite powerful, if used right.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Gizzard]

the act asked is not in itself suicidical...

It wasn't? Any one character against the rest of his party, even with the backup of his new "friend" the mage?

Of course he'd have no compunction from a morals point of view, but he might from a survival point of view. Depends on how big a risk crossing the old party would be.

Tangent: Overall, Charm is much more powerful against evil parties than good parties. It's much more believable to yell out, "Tannarukk, your party members have been plotting against you! Help me kill them before they get you!" when the party is composed of CE cutthroats than when it's composed of LG Paladins.

 

[Thanee]

Of course he'd have no compunction from a morals point of view, but he might from a survival point of view. Depends on how big a risk crossing the old party would be.

He said, that the character doesn't have to fear them, so that's not an issue, I suppose.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Otterscrubber]

It'd actually be in character for the tannaruk to try to take the heads of the other PCs. That's just one of the drawbacks of being in an evil party.

Exactly. If you're playing an evil party with a big, brutish party member who doesn't care for you very much one way or another, I'd say you get to face some evil music when he gets charmed.

 

[Thanee]

Yep, you can't say "Hey, we're so evil!" and just play like you're good (just doing evil stuff).

While evil can work together for a common goal, at some point the cooperation is going to break up usually. That's one of the inherent traits of evil, that they don't cooperate as much as the good guys (they're just too selfish ).

Bye
Thanee