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

I accidentally made a double post, if a moderator could remove the other topic, I would appreciate it. Sorry for the trouble.

i just read Traitor of Tarn and mechanically yes I cannot see any reason why you cannot do this, but characters controlled this way are likely to flip out, i do not mean players, but the actual characters, magic is not trusted in the old world, and the idea of someone taking control of your body would likely make a common citizen of the empire insane, if used on a dwarf, i would expect said dwarf to put an axe firmly in the wizards skull for casting such a spell upon him. I disagree that characters can train to accept this, and if used on player characters i would expect my players to act accordingly, this is not you enhancing there blade, but instead physically telling there body to do something without there knowledge until they do the action, party tension though the roof.

Think about people that are hypnotized for stage shows, and they have there conscious switched off so to speak while they follow the instructed commands, your mind would rebel, and failing that you would become a paranoid wreck developing split personalities. i would give characters temporary insanities while this is going on, if repeated i would make them very difficult to shake, and this would destroy party morale, how could you ever trust someone who could slip into your mind and take control of your body.

Anyways that is what I would do, its your game and you can play it in any way that gives you the most fun, and i know for a fact I allow many things within my campaigns that other GM's would never.

Crimsonsun

I'm with Crimsonsun. At least, I'd give the target a point of stress and raise the party tension meter.

Thanks for the replies.

[roleplay]I agree that the mere idea of such a spell would make a normal citizen of the empire shake in his/her boots, but I am quite sure there are those within them that could handle it. I myself used the spell on my high elf companion that I had shared long adventures with, so he knows the best and worst of what my spells can do. In addition, I always use the spell with his permission, and we both agree on the need for such powers as our enemies are very powerful indeed. (the Shadowlord Be'lakor, anyone? )[/roleplay]

Using the spell has it's risks, and my GM has made it quite clear to me and the rest of the group. However, when all this is taken in the consideration, there shouldn't be any reason not to allow the spell to be used in this way, right? Now if only we could get some beneficial boon and success results in the spell to further buff up the party.