Supertitious Instinct and frightened effect trigger

[VaughnAD]

Some questions popep up regarding the frightened drawback for this instict:

Raw text:
While raging, if you willingly accept the effects of a magic spell or effect, you are frightened 1.
You cannot reduce your frightened condition below 1 as long as you are affected by the spell or effect.

So I'll enumerate some assumptions and questions:

Runic weapon affects the weapon, but requires a willing bearer or unattended weapon.

- assumption 1: someone uses the magic on a unattended weapon and the barbarian picks it up to use will not cause any effect on the barbarian, similar to using a magic weapon.

- question 1: what would be the effect of willingly allowing the magic onto the weapon.

- - option 1: Since you not the target nothing happens

- - option 2: Since you accepted a spell even if your not the target you get frightened but since the effect is not on you, you will be able to reduce the frightened condition.

- - option 3: Same as 2 but without been able to reduce while you use the affected weapon (effectively working contrary to assumption 1)

Spell that created an area or effect that does not has a target ex: Bless, Courageous Anthem

- question 2: Can the barbarian benefit from the spell without triggering the frightened condition?

- question 3: How could you resist those spell if the previous awnser is no?

Spell that does not require a willing target ex: Haste

- question 4: Can the barbarian benefit from the spell without triggering the frightened condition?

- question 5: How could you resist those spell if the previous awnser is no?

[NorrKnekten]

The important clauses here is "willingly accept" and "While raging" And I think theres absolutely some ambiguity as to what happens that need to be solved by GM at the table.

For example, If you accept a spell before raging, are you then frightened when you enter rage. The text says no.

Assumption 1: would fall under the same umbrella unless the GM counts picking the weapon up as "accepting the effects".

Question 1: I feel would be the same as if the barbarian was targeted as the distinction of what is targeted isnt mentioned. By allowing Runic Weapon onto your weapon, you are willingly accepting the effects and would be frightened.

Question 2-5: Since the barbarian by RAW cannot refuse the benefit of Haste, Bless or Courageous anthemn this bypasses the penalty, I feel like this was the intention as to actually make the instinct playable after the remaster as previously letting allies cast spells on you was anathema and could lose you your abilities. Ofcourse, in a greater whole I can imagine a GM keeping to the old reading that the Barbarian as a character should want to avoid relying on their allies magic.

[Finoan]

NorrKnekten wrote:

The important clauses here is "willingly accept" and "While raging" And I think theres absolutely some ambiguity as to what happens that need to be solved by GM at the table.

Yes. That.

Some questions to consider while discussing the various ambiguities:

What is the intent of the character and their narrative? Why do they not want to accept magic from their allies and how much of a problem is it going to be for the character if they have to?

How much of a balance problem is it going to be if the Barbarian isn't able to have level appropriate runes for their weapons and armor? Is the campaign running with some variant rules such as ABP or High-Quality weapons that will compensate?

[NorrKnekten]

Finoan wrote:

How much of a balance problem is it going to be if the Barbarian isn't able to have level appropriate runes for their weapons and armor? Is the campaign running with some variant rules such as ABP or High-Quality weapons that will compensate?

Though, The usage of magic items and runes isnt a problem, only spells are RAW. While premaster was more clear about this there isnt anything within the instinct that says you are forbidden from using magic items. Only wielding items which carry the Cast a Spell activation.

But otherwise yeah, the narrative sense is probably more important to a character who detest or distrust magic. Are we expecting them to play along with it, maybe scold the caster who Hasted them afterwards in a RP sense. I feel like Superstition needs to be given or atleast expects a similar leniency as unholy champions in that the party has to travel with eachother for the story, and thus need a reason to do so regardless of clashing values.