Is the Geas spell good for the game?

[Campbell]

Within the context of this thread, the Geas spell came up. While I have never used the spell within the context of a game, the referenced thread got me thinking about the impact the spell could have on gameplay. What have your experiences with Geas been like?

 

[Crothian]

I've rarely liked it, though I really like the way Slaine built the spell into the setting. THat is the only really good way that I've seen it used.

 

[Kilmore]

I think the Geas spell is good if the DM keeps on top of it. PC's who regularly use Geas to force NPC's into difficult situations may eventually have to answer to other characters in those NPC's lives, or the authorities that those NPC's contact.

As far as a DM using a Geas to motivate a campaign, I wouldn't say the method has the most finesse, but if it gets the game going it beats a blank. It certainly worked in many legends.

 

[tonym]

I have never used geas on a PC, and never will. For me, the spell only exists for PCs to cast on NPCs. I like my adventures to be so exciting that the PCs 'want' to do the adventure for their own reasons, not because they are forced into it.

As a Player, I can't imagine a scenario where I'd welcome a geas being cast on my PC.

Tony M

 

[Kilmore]

I have never used geas on a PC, and never will. For me, the spell only exists for PCs to cast on NPCs. I like my adventures to be so exciting that the PCs 'want' to do the adventure for their own reasons, not because they are forced into it.

As a Player, I can't imagine a scenario where I'd welcome a geas being cast on my PC.

Tony M

Only for the PC's to cast on NPC's? I disagree. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Fair's fair.

Also, I've seen PC's volunteer to have a Geas cast upon them in return for Ressurection.

 

[Greylock]

If there are no options, no choices, a mission must be done, if you fail you die, and "I, the DM," made it so, you are not playing DnD, you may as well be playing checkers or PONG. The PCs should always feel like they are in some control of their fate, even if some BBEG has orchestrated it all. Geas is a cop out, when used on a Player Character, unless it is quickly acomplished or the player/s have some other way to rid themselves of it.

 

[tonym]

Also, I've seen PC's volunteer to have a Geas cast upon them in return for Ressurection.

That's how the control-freak DM's suck you into their trap. You think you are merely accepting a quick 1-session geas to recover a scepter or something. But then 10, 20, 30 sessions later, your PC's life still revolves around that debt. Because (big surprise!) it turns out that the scepter is the cornerstone of the entire campaign. And so your PC ends-up spending most, if not all, of the whole campaign without Free Will, questing for a scepter you never cared about in the first place. Wheee, big fun.

Man, I hate that spell.

Tony M

 

[Baron Opal]

I've used it a few times. Usually as a method of enforcement for a temple or wizard's tower. If I do this, however, I always make sure that the duration of the geas is finite, or there is some condition that the caster of the geas must adhere to. One time there was a merchant who had an uncanny ability to procure items and favors. He offered some things to the party for a low price if they would perform some tasks for the merchant. The merchant insisted on using a geas as "insurance". In this case, the merchant was a powerful devil, and it was a trap into basically unending servitude. I wasn't expecting the PCs to bite, however, and they didn't.

 

[Kilmore]

That's how the control-freak DM's suck you into their trap. You think you are merely accepting a quick 1-session geas to recover a scepter or something. But then 10, 20, 30 sessions later, your PC's life still revolves around that debt. Because (big surprise!) it turns out that the scepter is the cornerstone of the entire campaign. And so your PC ends-up spending most, if not all, of the whole campaign without Free Will, questing for a scepter you never cared about in the first place. Wheee, big fun.

Man, I hate that spell.

Tony M

It is a trap that can be avoided. Also, if I was the PC in question I would be having a little talk with the DM away from the gaming table. Any DM worth his salt would get you to care about achieving the campaign goals anyways. If the DM puts a Geas on you and makes you quest forever just because the Geas says so, that is a problem with the DM, not with the spell.

 

[tec-9-7]

Generally Geas/Quest are pretty ham-fisted ways of doing things, but in moderation they could be acceptable. If used, the DM has to keep a really close eye on the players to determine when the Geas is an impediment to the player's enjoyment of the game.