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This has been something that's been confusing for me for awhile, basically if you want to interact with an NPC and use a spell on them, how does that work if they save? Assuming that the spell isn't something offensive like Firebolt or which does damage.
1. If you cast something like Charm Person on somebody and they save, assuming they didn't see the spellcaster, do they think they're under attack? Do they even know a spell was cast on them? What if the spell is cast on them a second time? What if the ability is spell-like or supernatural, such as Bard's Fascinate or Witch's Slumber Hex?
2. If they do see the spellcaster but they do not properly identify the spell using spellcraft do they know you cast a spell on them? If they don't know what spell is on them but they do know the spellcaster cast at them do they know/interpret it as an attack? Can the spellcaster use Bluff to convince them a spell was not cast/directed at someone else?
3. What if they fail a save against something which is neither harmful, nor does it remove their mental faculties, but imparts some obvious disability, such as Slow, do they interpret it as an attack as well if there is no obvious spell caster?
4. At what point in any of the above would initiative be called and combat assumed to be started?
Thoughts?
This has been something that's been confusing for me for awhile, basically if you want to interact with an NPC and use a spell on them, how does that work if they save? Assuming that the spell isn't something offensive like Firebolt or which does damage.
1. If you cast something like Charm Person on somebody and they save, assuming they didn't see the spellcaster, do they think they're under attack? Do they even know a spell was cast on them? What if the spell is cast on them a second time? What if the ability is spell-like or supernatural, such as Bard's Fascinate or Witch's Slumber Hex?
2. If they do see the spellcaster but they do not properly identify the spell using spellcraft do they know you cast a spell on them? If they don't know what spell is on them but they do know the spellcaster cast at them do they know/interpret it as an attack? Can the spellcaster use Bluff to convince them a spell was not cast/directed at someone else?
3. What if they fail a save against something which is neither harmful, nor does it remove their mental faculties, but imparts some obvious disability, such as Slow, do they interpret it as an attack as well if there is no obvious spell caster?
4. At what point in any of the above would initiative be called and combat assumed to be started?
Thoughts?
1. The person will know they were attacked.
A creature that successfully saves against a spell that has no obvious physical effects feels a hostile force or a tingle, but cannot deduce the exact nature of the attack.
Many of the rules for spells apply to supernatural affects. I probably need to make an FAQ so that it is official instead of something we are assumed to know.
2. The rules do not say, so it would really depend on how common magic is in your world. If casters are as abundant as they are in most settings them moves fingers and strange talking should let people know a spell is being cast. However you may not know if the spell is cast at you, someone else, or the caster himself. However knowledge arcana does allow you to identify a spell that is cast on you. The DC is 25+spell level.
As for bluff that is on a case by base basis. If there is no obvious noticable affect it might be possible, but it is really subject to common sense and GM discretion.
3. If they do not successfully save and the attacker is not seen it is not automatically noted as an attack, but that does not mean their experience with magic would not let them know something has happened to them.
4. Attacks are made in the surprise round. As soon as the first attack has taken place I roll initiative. Many GM's however roll initiative in the surprise round, but only allow for those aware of an enemy to participate. Either way it works out the same.
