Charm Person

Questions and discussion about AD&D rules, classes, races, monsters, magic, etc.
Post Reply
User avatar
AxeMental
Uber-Grognard
Posts: 15104
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:38 am
Location: Florida

Charm Person

Post by AxeMental »

Do the rules address what happens to someone charmed if the MU that charmed him dies. We have always assumed the charm breaks (and for some reason are under the impression that they then know that they were being controlled, and will thus be hostile to the surviving party). Is this your take as well? And if yes, why?
"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."
Thomas Jefferson in letter to Madison

Back in the days when a leopard could grab and break your Australopithecus (gracile or robust) nek and drag you into the tree as a snack, mankind has never had a break"
** Stone Giant

User avatar
TRP
Uber-Grognard
Posts: 13023
Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:14 pm

Re: Charm Person

Post by TRP »

The charm lingers til the end of it's duration, just as any spell. Does a wall of iron disappear if the m-u dies? No.

Also, the worst case for the charmed PC, is that, it would mourn the death of the dead m-u. Not really a big deal. If the PC isn't Good, then it's likely it wouldn't even mourn. :wink:
"The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." - Joseph Campbell

grodog
Uber-Grognard
Posts: 12783
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:39 pm
Location: Wichita, KS, USA
Contact:

Re: Charm Person

Post by grodog »

TRP wrote:Also, the worst case for the charmed PC, is that, it would mourn the death of the dead m-u. Not really a big deal. If the PC isn't Good, then it's likely it wouldn't even mourn. :wink:
What's the collective wisdom that if someone's been charmed a long time, and treated well throughout the duration, that they may try to arrange for a raise dead for their slain benefactor and BFF?
grodog
----
Allan Grohe
Editor and Project Manager
Black Blade Publishing
https://www.facebook.com/BlackBladePublishing/

grodog@gmail.com
http://www.greyhawkonline.com/grodog/
http://www.greyhawkonline.com/grodog/greyhawk.html for my Greyhawk site
https://grodog.blogspot.com/ for my blog, From Kuroth's Quill

User avatar
deathsdj
Veteran Member
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:11 pm

Re: Charm Person

Post by deathsdj »

grodog wrote:
TRP wrote:Also, the worst case for the charmed PC, is that, it would mourn the death of the dead m-u. Not really a big deal. If the PC isn't Good, then it's likely it wouldn't even mourn. :wink:
What's the collective wisdom that if someone's been charmed a long time, and treated well throughout the duration, that they may try to arrange for a raise dead for their slain benefactor and BFF?
I would play it that way.

What starts as a charmed companion turns into a true companion after being treated with friendship and respect. Might take a while though.

Cheers!

MJW

User avatar
EOTB
Uber-Grognard
Posts: 7621
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:19 pm
Location: Teleporting without Error

Re: Charm Person

Post by EOTB »

That's a different take on it than mine. The way I run charm is that once the person makes their save, it's going to end badly. And eventually, most everyone is going to save. It may take years for 0-level types, but it will happen. Making the save means realizing that you've been magically influenced and would take divine-intervention-type-rolls on the reaction table to not return a result of "physical retaliation if stronger, betrayal at a critical point if weaker".

As to the raise question, sure, if the charmed individual had enough cash or pull to arrange it. But that would be rare too.
"There are more things, Lucilius, that frighten us than injure us; and we suffer more in imagination than in reality" - Seneca.

User avatar
AxeMental
Uber-Grognard
Posts: 15104
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:38 am
Location: Florida

Re: Charm Person

Post by AxeMental »

EOTB wrote:That's a different take on it than mine. The way I run charm is that once the person makes their save, it's going to end badly. And eventually, most everyone is going to save. It may take years for 0-level types, but it will happen. Making the save means realizing that you've been magically influenced and would take divine-intervention-type-rolls on the reaction table to not return a result of "physical retaliation if stronger, betrayal at a critical point if weaker".

As to the raise question, sure, if the charmed individual had enough cash or pull to arrange it. But that would be rare too.

This is my take as well (its an attack) once broken, the charmed realizes this, and may do any number of things, including: slit the MUs throat while he sleeps, or sneak off and alert the authorities which might ultimately result in the MU (or group) tried and hung. Remember this is a first level spell. Its supposed to be dangerous to use and abuse.

Btw, all charmed should be treated well, otherwise I'd role another save. Why would their bestest buddy in the world treat them badly?
"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."
Thomas Jefferson in letter to Madison

Back in the days when a leopard could grab and break your Australopithecus (gracile or robust) nek and drag you into the tree as a snack, mankind has never had a break"
** Stone Giant

genghisdon
Veteran Member
Posts: 397
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:39 pm
Location: windsor, ontario

Re: Charm Person

Post by genghisdon »

The charm shouldn't be broken by death, but no one else typically has the same fella charmed either. They may very well HATE the MU's associates/party. They could attack, try to take the body/belongings. leave, try to avenge the MU, ect.

As for raising the dead MU, sure, mainly if asked to beforehand or if they can do it already (such as a charmed L9 cleric, though the cleric;s deity might not grant the spell, given godlike knowledge of it's intended use).

OTOH, it's a very common fantasy trope that a magi's spells fade with their death. AD&D certainly DOES NOT follow this model, but it could be made to.

User avatar
Flambeaux
Uber-Grognard
Posts: 4586
Joined: Sun Nov 19, 2006 8:52 pm
Location: Dallas, TX
Contact:

Re: Charm Person

Post by Flambeaux »

deathsdj wrote:What starts as a charmed companion turns into a true companion after being treated with friendship and respect. Might take a while though.
This is how I've always run Charm Person and how I've experienced it run by Mythmere.
Co-host of The PlayEd Podcast
Raising my children on the Permanent Things: Latin, Greek, and Descending Armor Class.
Agní Parthéne Déspina, Áhrante Theotóke, Hére Nímfi Anímfefte
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit

Post Reply