I'd like to know what kind of reaction a character should expect when casting a spell in a public place, specifically the streets of Absalom. In my understanding, casting any spell with a V component should draw attention at least from the people immediately around you:
To provide a verbal component, you must be able to speak in a strong voice
I can't find it now, but I remember reading that the rules intend that there is no way to cast inconspicuously or quietly (without using metamagic). Maybe this is a memory from 3.5, but that's still how I interpret spellcasting.
Even if the spell has no immediate flashy or harmful effect, would people around the caster still be spooked? Enough to clear the street? Enough to call guards?
I've never understood, apart from obvious metagaming, how anyone without Spellcraft can tell the difference between someone casting a spell and someone saying a ritual phrase or making a superstitious gesture. Certainly you can have twitchy yahoos who reach for their swords every time a wizard says "Gesundheit!" but it should take Spellcraft to know the difference between "Gesundheit!" and "Abracadabra!"
Moreover, I'm not certain how, short of metagaming or powerful divination, anyone can tell the difference between a loaded gun or an unloaded one. I mean, if a wizard waves a wand at someone and says a command word, how are they to know it has any charges or that he's even saying the right one? Or that a rogue is using Use Magic Device with an item that either isn't magical or doesn't function that way? If a fireball shoots out of the end of the stick, we can assume it's a wand of fireballs, but it just might be a pencil the wizard had in his hand while he cast fireball.
It's that unknown element for people who can't spellcraft that makes me think that common people would be a bit more perturbed by spellcasting in public, even in Absalom. If I'm a regular guy on the street, how do I know if that guy spouting incomprehensible words just used prestidigitation to clean his shoes, or cast magic weapon on his dagger? Or maybe, as you said, he's just waving his hands around and saying nonsense...
I would suspect the tone of voice with the verbal component along with any obvious spell effect would determine the reaction. i cant imagine casting a fire ball on a packed street in Absalom would make you many friends
It's that unknown element for people who can't spellcraft that makes me think that common people would be a bit more perturbed by spellcasting in public, even in Absalom. If I'm a regular guy on the street, how do I know if that guy spouting incomprehensible words just used prestidigitation to clean his shoes, or cast magic weapon on his dagger? Or maybe, as you said, he's just waving his hands around and saying nonsense...IRL, when I see someone with an unfamiliar handheld electronic, I don't immediately assume it's a bomb/detonator/phone hacking tool/laser designator or any of the other things that may be harmful (to one degree or another). Instead I assume it's something safe and likely legal because the guy IS using it in public.
Magic used in public is probably much the same. Assume that it's safe unless it is obviously not.
Agreed. SInce the advent of bluetooth I can't tell who's on the phone and who's schizophrenic anymore.
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In a land where there are
so many spell casters,
gods are real, and numerous
magic is real,
a cleric can cast create water all day long,
dragons are real,
elves are real,
the village witch is really a witch
etc the populace really shouldnt bat an eye lid at someone
casting an unassuming spell in the street,
or see 2ft tall to 8ft tall person walking down the street,
people talking to there pet bear,
carrying outrageous looking over sized swords
at least thats how i play it
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In a small town, like in Ustalav perhaps, they'd have a very Dursley-ish reaction to strangers speaking in a language not Common and making elaborate gestures (HE'S A WITCH!!).
In Absalom, Quantium, and other large magically potent cities, no one will give too winks to random oddly dressed people in the streets flailing their arms and shouting nonsense words...I mean, Absalom is home both to the Grand Lodge (of the biggest "adventurer's guild" in the world) AND the Cathedral of the Starstone, which draws both genuine spellcasters and crazy fruit-loops who think they are...