|
Is there a rule that when a spell is cast you automatically know it is a spell. I can't find it where it says if a spell is cast everyone automatically knows it is a spell. If there is no spot where it says you automatically know it is a spell. Would you say you have to be trained in spellcraft in order to know it is a spell?
Most people when they role play casting a spell speak a sentence that is like a sentence in a normal conversation. I don't see to many players saying abracadabra, hocus pocus, or anything as such casting a spell. If it weren't for the rule that a spell has to be said forcefully and loud enough when casting. It could be cast softly without being heard. Otherwise, How would you know they cast a spell?
It's all about components. There is no explicit statement that observers know it is a spell, but the component rules exist in order to define how obvious a spell casting is.
I always thought that the verbal components were not in "the common tongue". I don't expect my players to become fluent in draconic, infernal, or the elemental languages just to roleplay the verbal components of their spells (although it would be cool). When players cast spells in my game, I presume they speak a number of arcane non-words in a strong voice, unless the spell doesn't require a verbal component.
I allow a spellcraft check for anyone who can observe at least one component of the spell (verbal, somatic, or material). A stilled, silenced, eschewed spell ought to be impossible to identify. You obviously need line-of-sight to observe a somatic component, and the Perception DC for material components is a little higher since they aren't always obvious.
Are you running up against a specific problem you could explain to us?
This is related to your question but does not exactly answer it.
Evil Lincoln answered it pretty well, but I want to nuance his answer with something that is in the rule books.
If you are directly targeted by a spell (not an area effect spell), when you make your saving throw.. you know you've been targeted by something. That in no way imparts any knowledge of what it was (because that would require a Spellcraft roll), but you know something tried to effect you.
Here's the rule reference. Page 216, right column, bottom of the page, heading Suceeding on a Saving Throw.
Again, it states you have no knowledge of what the effect is, but you do realize that you have been targeted by something.
Hope this helps.
|
IMC if there's any reason why a PC might not be aware of a spell being cast, I roll a Perception (Sight) and/or Perception (Sound) to determine if can see the somatic/material components or hear the verbal component. If a verbal-only spell is cast using the Silent Spell metamagic, then there's no way to detect a spell be cast. Period.
|
IMC if there's any reason why a PC might not be aware of a spell being cast, I roll a Perception (Sight) and/or Perception (Sound) to determine if can see the somatic/material components or hear the verbal component. If a verbal-only spell is cast using the Silent Spell metamagic, then there's no way to detect a spell be cast. Period.
Until it goes off.
If you get hit with a charm person, and make the save, you know something just poked your mind.
If you get hit with a fireball, well, hopefully an adventurer knows roughly what a fireball looks like.
If the spell was an illusion and creates a fake image of a dragon flying down, you don't get squat until you interact with it. (Skip Williams has defined "interact" to mean "spend some sort of action doing something to the entity" attacking, casting a spell, making a perception check, etc).
|
|
The reason I brought this up is because I ran into a DM that tried to force this rule. I brought up that the books implied that you know a spell is being cast none the less you have spellcraft or not. With everyone else cheering in the DM succumbed to peer pressure and acquiesced. I was wondering if any one else agreed with this or, if someone ran into this and how one would defend against it.
The reason I brought this up is because I ran into a DM that tried to force this rule. I brought up that the books implied that you know a spell is being cast none the less you have spellcraft or not. With everyone else cheering in the DM succumbed to peer pressure and acquiesced. I was wondering if any one else agreed with this or, if someone ran into this and how one would defend against it.
When in doubt, page 216 and 217 is your friend.
Just remember that there is a difference between an affect spell and effect spell.
An affect spell influences *YOU*, and a charm spell is an excellent example as Bobchuck pointed out.
An illusion spell, or something like silence on an object is an effect spell. You might immediately figure out that a spell is working when you can't hear yourself talk any more, but you never *feel* the spell.