targeting PC's with spells

[Shedboy]

In game, i have noticed a propensity for some players to have their characters cast spells on other characters they barely know or have never met.

I think this could be seen as a hostile threat because who knows if it is a death spell or a heal spell that is being cast. Or even if say your evil aligned pc of bane starts to receive a healing blessing from a cleric of Tyr etc.. *puke*

I think it could be an area to tighten up rp-wise.

e.g. How would non consentual casters feel about being set to hostile and whipped within an inch of their life (or more) depending on how they react.

I have sat by and not reacted to the "out of the blue casting" for the sake of peace, but i don't like it as it stinks of metagaming.

ps pls dont interpret these comments as a generalization about all players who play characters who are casters.

[Kitsunestume]

In my humble opinion, if your character is suspicious of a magic, role-play it out.

I've had a mute who tried using a healing spell on a dwarf, get beaten within an inch of his life, try to explain the matter with a messaging spell, and get beaten again.

It's all how you play.

Cheers,
Kit

[Philosopher]

A small tangent, but it should be noted that a common spell that people like to play around with in this regard is Benign Transposition, which should only work on willing characters, but will switch a neutral PC without their consent or save. In a joking manner, it's not a big deal, but the spell is not to be used to switch another into a hostile situation. This is considered an exploit.

[Twisted-Indoctrine]

We should solve that with a huge screen space consuming pop up window with moving confirmation or denial boxes that default to accept if no choice is made within thirty seconds every time its cast on some one. Like a schizophrenic party invitation window from hell. It's the only reasonable way to ensure people understand what's happening and will probably be killed because of it.

[thaelis]

Unless they are an old companion, or its a combat situation where they are in real danger.. I always tend to ask anyone first before casting, as I'd imagine for those unable to use Spellcraft it would be quite threatening not knowing what someone was casting at you.

I also like to give a little IC alert to others when buffing myself, as I have learnt through experience that people will often regard buffing as an offensive action and will in turn try to "get the jump" on you... (whether they are doing this IC or OOC i don't know but i'd like to think its the former!)

[roguethree]

I also like to give a little IC alert to others when buffing myself, as I have learnt through experience that people will often regard buffing as an offensive action and will in turn try to "get the jump" on you

Buffing is considered a hostile action. They're perfectly within their rights to jump you as you're trying to buff. Why else would you be buffing if not preparing for a conflict?

[Intrepid42]

I also like to give a little IC alert to others when buffing myself, as I have learnt through experience that people will often regard buffing as an offensive action and will in turn try to "get the jump" on you... (whether they are doing this IC or OOC i don't know but i'd like to think its the former!)

Yes, buffing yourself in an unfriendly situation is a hostile action. For a non-caster it means in-character that your options are: attack immediately, run away, or die. This lesson gets reinforced over time by grim experience.

[FoogooFish]

I originally had a long-winded reply planned, but I scrapped it in favor of this: handle IC what happens IC. If your character dislikes unknown people casting upon him or her, then let that caster know IC and let the RP flow from there.

[Shedboy]

Thanks for the comments thus far, my only concern is that when reacting IC, the spell is usually cast on you before you have a chance to respond with a kick to their nuts / ovaries.

Meta gaming the pvp rules will say that unless your set to hostile an offensive spell cant target you (right?). So while that is ok as a player and i dont stress - the character would not know that. The game mechanic means the spellcaster always wins initiative if they just go ahead and start casting. You don't really get a chance to react IG before the spell is operative.

Would it be inappropriate to set them to hostile immediately and attack provided enough paranoia or suspicion?

The old slay first, speak with dead later so to speak? (at the extreme)

[Doubtful]

I'm fine with it.

Having a stranger wander up to you and do some odd ju-ju over your head is a perfectly legitimate excuse to get punchy if it fits in with your characters world view.

[Thief Of Navarre]

I'm fine with it.

Having a stranger wander up to you and do some odd ju-ju over your head is a perfectly legitimate excuse to get punchy if it fits in with your characters world view.

Its pretty funny too. Can lead to some rediculous confrontations!

[thaelis]

Buffing is considered a hostile action. They're perfectly within their rights to jump you as you're trying to buff. Why else would you be buffing if not preparing for a conflict?

Oh I don't know, maybe because you're standing in a monster-infested area where your likely to get an arrow through your head any second?!

Whilst I agree that its in character for most characters to attack someone who is self-buffing, I think that a Good aligned character would find it hard to justify using lethal force on someone merely because there is a chance they might be preparing to attack them. After all, walking/running/teleporting/invisibility are always options.

[FoogooFish]

Buffing yourself when you're in a tense situation with another character is a hostile action with regards to PvP. Buffing yourself when you're near monsters is common sense.

My Legionnaire frequently ensures that her protective wards are in place. Most of the time I emote stepping off to the side if I'm by people who don't know her well, and the context I give is "hey, this soldier is keeping herself prepared for the random stuff that happens in this place!" People are welcome to RP however they want, but complete magical ignorance in this setting is a bit far-fetched IMO. Most characters will (should?) have the WIS needed to gauge whether or not a spellcaster means harm regardless of whether or not the character has Spellcraft ranks.

That said, I do agree with the 'don't cast on me if you don't know me' thing. There are always exceptions; my character will not ask permission if someone is in immediate danger simply because there's usually no time. Some AoE spells (like the Alegro I use) affect everyone within a certain range, and I can't always move aside enough to avoid it happening. I tend to RP it as some of the music swirling near others, and I've yet to have IC complaints.

Context is important, so keep it in mind!

[GodBeastX]

I originally had a long-winded reply planned, but I scrapped it in favor of this: handle IC what happens IC. If your character dislikes unknown people casting upon him or her, then let that caster know IC and let the RP flow from there.

^ This. This really shouldn't be a thread.

Action is done IC, respond IC.

There's no rule that says you cannot buff others, so there should be no OOC issues.

Thank them, or stab them. As long as it's IC.

As for buffing yourself? Yes, I consider this a hostile action when combat is about to ensue. In fact, my NPCs will stab someone buffing if they already don't like them