Rules question - P from E v Possession

[Greenfield]

In our game there's a PC (currently NPC) under some form of mind control She's casting spells that aren't on her normal class list, and is pointedly *not* using several abilities that she normally relies on.

I suspect a Magic Jar or similar possession.

What would happen if someone cast Protection from Evil on her?

Against normal Charm effects it doesn't break the spell, and the victim will still be bound by exiting commands, but the controller is unable to give any new commands, at least for the duration of the P-from-E.

In the case of Magic Jar the original person is gone, not present at all within their body. Their spirit is, well, in a magic jar, and the caster/controller has full ownership of the body.

One thought I've had is that Jar is well above the weight class of the Protection spell.

Another is that the body will essentially go limp, since the possessor can't issue any orders and there's no one else there to take over.

And I'm sure there are a lot of other thoughts as well.

Share some of yours, please.

 

[Grogg of the North]

I would say that Protection From Evil does not work on Magic Jar. Magic Jar is not a charm or compulsion. You're not exercising some sort of mental control over a person. You've torn them from their body, shoved them into a gem and taken over their body like a puppet.

You could always try Protection From Evil. If it's not Magic Jar then you'll have a few minutes to talk to the NPC before she loses her control again.

 

[Nagol]

What happens is covered by the Protection from Evil spell description, specifically, "Likewise, the barrier keeps out a possessing life force but does not expel one if it is in place before the spell is cast".

So, PfE is great prevention, but not a cure. Casting it now will help confirm the type of effect (if any) on the supposed victim, but if it is a possession effect, it will offer no remedy or mitigation.

 

[Greenfield]

What happens is covered by the Protection from Evil spell description, specifically, "Likewise, the barrier keeps out a possessing life force but does not expel one if it is in place before the spell is cast".

So, PfE is great prevention, but not a cure. Casting it now will help confirm the type of effect (if any) on the supposed victim, but if it is a possession effect, it will offer no remedy or mitigation.

This is exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks