Hello everyone.

I have a question/questions regarding Traitor of Tarn, a shadow magic spell. As far as I know the spell is only meant to be used to control your opponents , using shadows. That is how the success and boon results are laid out at least, being that the effects are negative for your target. However, I didn't see any real indication against the possibility of using it on your allies, to give them extra attacks on the wizard's turn as well. So, what I was wondering was if the spell could be used to aid your allies instead of just hindering your enemies.

I play a Grey Wizard and as such have been using Traitor of Tarn on a couple of occasions. I discussed the forementioned possibility with my GM and he was a bit wary of it at first, but eventually allowed me to use the spell on my allies. I tried it out once, and needless to say it was quite powerful when the toughest warrior in our group could hit twice in a single round. The GM only allowed me to use basic melee attack with this method however, so the effects were quite limited. In addition, storywise I had to spend weeks with my ally practicing the spell and our teamwork to get anything out of it.

My GM also stated that he didn't agree with the fact that the spell allows the wizard to use any and all of the target's talents, skills and actions. This is why he restricted me to only using basic melee or ranged attacks when using the spell, even when targeting enemies.

Summary:

If I were to interpret the action card as it currently is, the spell is clearly designed to be used against enemies, and you gain access to all of the target's actions, skills and talents. (Even though the spell feels more like puppeteering and not complete mental domination) However, nothing forbids it from being used on your allies and the spell should give you access to pretty much everything the target character can do.

So, what do you think? Should the spell be allowed to be used on allies, or not? Is it too overpowered? Should the spell give access to all the actions and talents, even though they may be something the wizard doesn't even know exist? Should we house rule it and how would we go about doing it?

I would love to get some clarification on the spell, as it is currently very vague.

Thanks

Yes you can cast it on players. The card says," target living creature". I assume the PC's are living creatures? You could target a mouse if you wanted. You, by the cards description, are in control of the target and yourself while the card recharges. You can, if you choose, do an action through your target and then act yourself, hence the increased purple dice, but I'd say for the most part those actions are simultaneous. That is the action you make your target do and the one you do yourself.

First, the target would take whatever action it would normally. You would then manipulate the target during your turn, (which is also when you take your own action) so in that it's almost simultaneous. Initiative however, might make that turn order wonky. That's when a GM steps in to tell the story and create the Lore. It is also where a PC can step in and work with a GM to create that Lore. Together you make the how and the why.

Think about it, you are a wizard and it's a 3rd rank spell !!! It should be powerful. It should be strange.

But, still, your control of the target is limited and yet unlimited by creativity. You are yourself and have limited control of the target. That must be strange, wizard or mouse? Mouse or man? Mastered, the spell might not be so weird and you can do an action with your target, any action your target can do, known by you or not with relative ease. Sure, I mean, even things you didn't know existed but that's a great time for the GM to explore that with you and explain why and how this weird thing might happen? It might not be a good thing, or maybe the first time doing it you'd have trouble, and the GM gives you some misfortune, until you've firgured it out. The possibilities are endless and fun.

I can't tell you how your GM should do things but you should feel free to talk to your GM about it. Explore it and explain it. Maybe out of game time. To me, wizards and priests always require some special care.