i would disagree with this, because a charm on a single creature is a temporary measure at best
So subverting or dominating one is evil if for a long duration but good if only for a short duration? Those terms are too subjective. Someone with ADD would think a minute is a long duration, someone else such as a dragon would think that a decade is a short duration.
, unless taken further. a thrallherd is basically having some form of command over people against their will (they do not serve willingly), and, psychic resonance or not, they are not of their own volition.
note i also never said it was an evil act, just not a particularly good act.
I would say it is more like a case of the munchies. The potato chips aren't evil and they aren't of their own free will compelling or forcing me to eat, yet there is some flavorful resonance calling to me where I feel the urge and in most cases am unable to resist such an urge to eat.
i'd be a fool to say that all applications of any form of charming are evil, as i feel that the alignment reprocussions depend entirely upon what is done with someone while under the charm;
"You were sent to destroy the Sith, not join them. Anakin, they are evil."
"From where I am, it is the Jedi who are evil." Again, you are being too subjective. In order for good to be good, it must abide by its own rules; domination, wether to accomplish a good task or an evil task is still domination. If domination is considered evil then it is evil whether used for 1 round or is permanent, whether to rescue the princess or kill her.
I am in the camp that the thrallherd is not evil and does not need alignment restrictions. For me, it is on a subconcious level, the PC could dismiss all the NPCs and new ones would show up, the PC has no choice in this. Just like the 6 foot 6 inch guy is always asked if he plays basketball. It's not like he walks around with one, people just assume based on his height. The PC can be the same way, people come to follow him, not because he asked them to, but because these people heard the call. They for some internal reason, felt it was the right thing to do.
Love the Life of Brian analogy earlier in the thread, made me spray coke on the keyboard. Love that movie.