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<blockquote data-quote="Arravis" data-source="post: 3185991" data-attributes="member: 327">I'm with Hypersmurf on this one. Since this is the Rules forum (not House Rules), the questions here deal with the core-rules only. By the rules as written, spell of the [Evil] descriptor are simply a rules clarfication for interactions with specific classes, other spells, etc. It is there for the same reason all other spell descriptors are, and there is no solid evidence in the RAW to indicate otherwise. The [Evil] descriptor is quite handy for players and DMs if there are good clerics in the party so you know what spells not to cast, if you're casting Dispel Evil to dispel spells with the [Evil] descriptor, etc.The alignment section of the RAW is fairly clear on what it considers evil, how to define it, and what it involves:&quot;'Evil' implies hurting, oppressing, and killing others. Some evil creatures simply have no compassion for others and kill without qualms if doing so is convenient. Others actively pursue evil, killing for sport or out of duty to some evil deity or master.&quot;&quot;Being good or evil can be a conscious choice. For most people, though, being good or evil is an attitude that one recognizes but does not choose.&quot;It seems clear that it's about one does, not what spells are cast, etc. Casting a [Evil] spell that does not do any of the above requirements for evil, is not an evil act. Casting an [Evil] spell, or any spell for that matter, that does, is an evil act. This may be simply through the nature of the spell (ie: one that causes unecessary agony, etc), or through its use in casting. But either way, it's not the spell itself which is acting on alignment, but the choices made by the individual.I think part of the confusion is simply the choice of the word &quot;evil&quot; as a descriptor. If the word had been &quot;negative energy&quot;, instead of &quot;evil&quot;, this discussion would not be. The two words are being used in different contexts and have different uses in those contexts. Simply because it uses the word &quot;evil&quot; doesn't mean it affects alignment. It relates to it as much as being cold, relates to the [cold] descriptor. There are [cold] spells that don't actually make someone cold.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Arravis, post: 3185991, member: 327"] I'm with Hypersmurf on this one. Since this is the Rules forum (not House Rules), the questions here deal with the core-rules only. By the rules as written, spell of the [Evil] descriptor are simply a rules clarfication for interactions with specific classes, other spells, etc. It is there for the same reason all other spell descriptors are, and there is no solid evidence in the RAW to indicate otherwise. The [Evil] descriptor is quite handy for players and DMs if there are good clerics in the party so you know what spells not to cast, if you're casting Dispel Evil to dispel spells with the [Evil] descriptor, etc. The alignment section of the RAW is fairly clear on what it considers evil, how to define it, and what it involves: "'Evil' implies hurting, oppressing, and killing others. Some evil creatures simply have no compassion for others and kill without qualms if doing so is convenient. Others actively pursue evil, killing for sport or out of duty to some evil deity or master." "Being good or evil can be a conscious choice. For most people, though, being good or evil is an attitude that one recognizes but does not choose." It seems clear that it's about one does, not what spells are cast, etc. Casting a [Evil] spell that does not do any of the above requirements for evil, is not an evil act. Casting an [Evil] spell, or any spell for that matter, that does, is an evil act. This may be simply through the nature of the spell (ie: one that causes unecessary agony, etc), or through its use in casting. But either way, it's not the spell itself which is acting on alignment, but the choices made by the individual. I think part of the confusion is simply the choice of the word "evil" as a descriptor. If the word had been "negative energy", instead of "evil", this discussion would not be. The two words are being used in different contexts and have different uses in those contexts. Simply because it uses the word "evil" doesn't mean it affects alignment. It relates to it as much as being cold, relates to the [cold] descriptor. There are [cold] spells that don't actually make someone cold. [/QUOTE]

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