Waht the heck is any "ally"?

[Jeph]

I am fighting alongside a cleric in classic adventurous fraternal blood lust. He casts Bless. I then try to lob off his head. When I do so, do I get the +1 to my attack aginst him, or do I cease to be his "ally"?

 

[Hypersmurf]

It's a Shillelagh question.

My opinion is that if the Cleric deemed you an ally when he cast the spell, you have the Bless bonus until the spell expires.

Even if he subsequently changes his view on your allyness.

-Hyp.

 

[Pbartender]

Let me put it this way...

If I was that cleric's god, and he Blessed you, and you tried to chop off his head... I don't think you would be getting the benefits of my Blessing for very long.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Well, if a god chooses to intervene to prevent someone taking unfair advantage of a first-level spell cast by one of his first-level clerics, that's the god's business.

But as far as I'm concerned, it's the same as casting Levitate on a 'willing creature', who subsequently changes his mind and becomes unwilling.

Tough. The spell's already in effect. No takebacks.

-Hyp.

 

[Pbartender]

That's right. That's the disadvantage to being able to prepare all the spells on your spell list without having to write them down in a spell book first. Divine appeasement.

 

[Hypersmurf]

That's right. That's the disadvantage to being able to prepare all the spells on your spell list without having to write them down in a spell book first. Divine appeasement.

Hmm? You're making it an advantage, though.

While anyone else would have to either Dismiss their spell or cast Dispel Magic to prevent it being used against them, you're saying his god steps in and flicks the off switch without any action necessary on the part of the Cleric.

Where's the disadvantage in that?

-Hyp.

 

[Pbartender]

I mean it's a disadvantage to the person trying to reap the benefits of the spell. For the cleric casting the spell, on occasion it can be an advantage, sometimes it can be a disadvantage, most often it never comes into play.

Read the Old Testament, for example. If your god likes you and doesn't like your enemy, that tough for him. If you've been a jerk-off to your own god, and expect a favor from him, likewise, tough luck.

I suppose it could also depend on the god... Some are more aloof toward their worshippers than others.

In the end, however, it is another valid means to arbitrate the dilemma.

 

[Hypersmurf]

In the end, however, it is another valid means to arbitrate the dilemma.

So swap "Bless" for "Inspire Courage" No longer god-bestowed.

I say if the bard hypes you up, you retain the morale bonus even if you use it to beat him with.

-Hyp.

 

[Pbartender]

So swap "Bless" for "Inspire Courage" No longer god-bestowed.

I say if the bard hypes you up, you retain the morale bonus even if you use it to beat him with.

-Hyp.

That I would agree with.

 

[Kemrain]

What a lovely mental image...

- Kemrain the Bloodthirsty