Suggestion - Clearing the spell's limits up a little

[Spastic Puma]

Last encounter I ran I had a serpentfolk cast Suggestion on a PC who was currently engaged in combat with a girallon. I wanted to prevent the player from finishing off the girallon that round so I suggested he drink a potion of cure light wounds because he was hurt badly. This also had the added benefit of provoking an aoo from tr girallon.

Is a suggestion like that within the parameters of the spell? It says the player cannot be forced to perform an obviously harmful act but I find that somewhat vague.

The pc ended up making the save so it didn't matter but I'd like to know for future reference

[kyrt-ryder]

The suggestion seems workable to me. But keep in mind the PC doesn't have to drink the potion in an enemy's threatened area. He could 5' step or tumble out as well, if such were possible. The suggestion makes the character believe something was his idea. If he had the idea to drink a potion, he's likely going to do so as safely as possible.

[Spastic Puma]

What if he were not able to do it without provoking? (against a wall etc.)

[Grick]

Spastic Puma wrote:

Is a suggestion like that within the parameters of the spell?

You're going to find plenty of variation on what is considered a "reasonable sounding activity."

Personally, I think if he's hurt, drinking a cure potion is totally reasonable. If he can take a 5' step first to avoid provoking, I think he would certainly do so.

[kyrt-ryder]

That might depend on the level of danger the enemy presents in the form of an AoO. A big single attack beasty might be too dangerous and 'stupidly reckless' where something more like a two weapon fighter might seem less suicidal.