Illusionist with a hostage, what would you do?

[Felix]

I would really not count on that in this situation. While this may be true in the real world, in D&D people behave more like an action movie than like real life, and it would not kind of cheesy to argue with the DM about the center of gravity of a limp body in the middle of a tense scene. The DM may not have thought of that issue, or may consider the dramatics of the scene more important than accuracy.

Daniel

Sure, but if the DM describes it like that, I'm going to fire my ray, since I, as a character, don't beleive that anyone can hold a limp body up. And that is very reasonable.

 

[Twowolves]

Um, in which case when you fire the ray you'll go straight through the illusion because nobody can hold up a hostage who's unconscious with one arm.

And if the illusioninst isn't holding the body up as cover, then you have a line of fire to the illusionist. Cast Disintegrate.

Unless, of course, the illusionist has a readied action to slit the NPCs throat if the party takes any hostile action, including casting ANY of the spells suggested in this thread. Casting anything, from Disintegrate to Detect Magic will mean a dead NPC.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

Unless, of course, the illusionist has a readied action to slit the NPCs throat if the party takes any hostile action, including casting ANY of the spells suggested in this thread. Casting anything, from Disintegrate to Detect Magic will mean a dead NPC.

Indeed, while "slitting the throat" is not something you can ready, if the hostage is already unconsious and in the negs, a simple readied attack (esp with sneak attack) will do it nicely. Within the rules (and the level we were playing at) it's let the hostage taker (and DM if its been that kind of game) walk all over you or risk the hostage.

 

[Pielorinho]

Sure, but if the DM describes it like that, I'm going to fire my ray, since I, as a character, don't beleive that anyone can hold a limp body up. And that is very reasonable.

I would still check game physics first--that is, ask the DM, "Does that look possible to me?"

Daniel

 

[Felix]

Unless, of course, the illusionist has a readied action to slit the NPCs throat if the party takes any hostile action, including casting ANY of the spells suggested in this thread. Casting anything, from Disintegrate to Detect Magic will mean a dead NPC.

Except, of course, that you can't ready actions outside of combat. If he beats my initiative roll then he gets to slit the throat. And he'll be a murderer for it and my conscience clear when he turns into fine dust.

But if he doesn't, then he'll turn into fine dust with no throats slit.

 

[Merkuri]

Indeed, while "slitting the throat" is not something you can ready...

It's called a "coup de grace" in game terms.

Personally, I think the "no readying actions out of combat" thing is a dumb rule. I'd count this situation as "combat", since the characters are all tense and seconds matter. As soon as the NPC decides he'd like to slit someone's throat, even if he doesn't do it, combat has started.

And even if you don't think that way, you'd still have to win initiative before setting off any spell to see if you get the spell off before the NPC CdG's the hostage.

 

[BlackMoria]

Mechanically, it is the Coup de Grace action (even if it is a readied action), which is a full round action unless one has the feat that allows it as a standard action - highly unlikely for the illusionist to have the feat.

In short, the party has a round of actions to put the illusionist in the dead books before the hostage is ruled to be killed.

Technically. Of course, the DM may rule otherwise but by the RAW, you can take action against the illusionist and possibly save the hostage.

 

[Pielorinho]

It's called a "coup de grace" in game terms.

Indeed, which is a full-round action. You can only ready standard or move actions.

Daniel

 

[krunchyfrogg]

Maybe the Illusionist is playing the role of the prisoner, and the victim is holding him up, with the Illusionist hoping you kill the victim. That'd be pretty neat.

Kinda like Face Off, but with magic and not so cheesy.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

Indeed, which is a full-round action. You can only ready standard or move actions.

Daniel

yup. The number of DMs I've had to point this out to is impressive. "No, you can't ready a coup de grace, just an attack, and you have to roll an attack roll and damage." In this case with an unconsious target who was as I said prolly already at negitive hp, it doesn't matter so much, but if the target is merely tied up or held it does.