How noticeable is Concentrating on a Spell?

[Dog Moon]

Okay, so say I casted Detect Evil before entering into a bar. I go into the bar while continue to concentrate. How noticeable is it? Would people know that I'm concentrating on a spell? Can I get a beer, sit down at a table and wait for the person meeting me without them knowing that I'm concentrating on the Detect Evil?

Since it takes a Standard action to maintain it and talking is a Free action, I can still speak, right?

 

[Vegepygmy]

Since it takes a Standard action to maintain it and talking is a Free action, I can still speak, right?

Right.

The rules are silent as to how noticeable concentrating to maintain a spell is. Personally, I'd allow a DC 20 Sense Motive check to notice that the person seems to be preoccupied with something.

 

[Jack Simth]

As far as I'm aware, the rules are silent....

However, if someone was wanting to specifically conceal that they were concentrating, I'd require two rolls from the maintaining player - Concentration as casting Defensively / being distracted for the effect, and Bluff to not seem to be concentrating. Blowing the Concentration check means you lose your concentration, and thus the spell; the Bluff check sets the DC for the Sense Motive roll of anyone for whom it would matter.

 

[frankthedm]

Concentrating to maintain an active spell does not draw AoOs, so it means your guard does not drop, so it is not like you stand here head shaking, face flushed and eyes squinting or anything of that level. But on the other hand I think it is a fair amount of effort so I'd use the same rules Dominate uses for Sence Motive. DC15 "because of the limited range of the target’s activities." Pretty easy, though I will admit not being keen on secretive use of Paladin Detect Evil.

So much so, IMC A Paladin’s Detect Evil causes their eyes to glow with white angelic fire. I also prefer Paladins smiting over paladin having their hands tied so when evil folks in towns see this, they run , knowing the paladin is about to see all the evidence the holy warrior will need to lay down a smiting.

I also made it a Supernatural ability, not a spell / spell like so A Paladin can use the ability in the thick of combat without drawing AoOs. Most paladins invoke the ability by a prayer of “Let me see the weight of the sins upon the souls before me.” though it is not needed to do use the ability.

 

[Tinker Gnome]

I would say it is not really noticeable.

ZOMG TEH REI!!1!!!!111!!

 

[Infiniti2000]

The rules are silent as to how noticeable concentrating to maintain a spell is.

Note that they're also silent as to how noticeable stabbing with a shortsword is. But, both require a standard action.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

IIRC one can use Spellcraft to determine what spell is being cast/concentrated on... meaning the act of concentrating has to be fairly obvious...

For my purposes I would requires a Bluff vs Sense Motive, with a slant towards the SenseMotive.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

If a paladin walks into a bar with a massive headache and is doing mental math, people will notice. They might not realize he's casting a spell, but they'll notice something is up. That and the staring for at least twelve seconds at someone. Would you like someone doing that, especially if they're a total stranger?

 

[shilsen]

If a paladin walks into a bar with a massive headache and is doing mental math, people will notice. They might not realize he's casting a spell, but they'll notice something is up. That and the staring for at least twelve seconds at someone. Would you like someone doing that, especially if they're a total stranger?

Note that he doesn't need to be staring at someone directly. He can focus on a 60 ft long and wide cone, so it's pretty easy to be looking around in the broad general area as someone without obviously staring at them.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Just checked.. Spellcraft lets you identify a spell being cast or in effect if there are visible outward signs.

Meaning that unless you HR Detect Evil to present with glowy eyes, outward appearance would be just of one concentrating... perhaps even meditating or praying {bluff check!! }

(Psi)SeveredHead I don't think he even needs to be staring...after all the effect works through various solid objects.... I am sure closed eyelids would not hinder it!