Just want to clarify something that I can foresee on the horizon, and could surely use your collective wisdom:
According to the Spells & Magic 1st lvl priest (Guardian Sphere) spell called Blessed Watchfulness, it takes a 1 to surprise the recipient under the effects of this dweomer.
Does this mean that only a 1, regardless of the stealth ability, innate powers, perhaps even an Invisibility spell, of opponents?
For instance, some creatures (like troglodytes, with their chameleon ability, or bugbears, with their stealth) have enhanced chances to surprise their foes. Also, there are spells like Invisibility, or magic items like Rings of Chameleon Power and Cloaks of Elvenkind, that provide similar advantages.
Sooooo...how do you interpret this spell with respect to these situations? Shouldn't the enhanced stealth factors noted above come into play? Or is the power of this minor 1st lvl spell 'powerful' enough to counteract any and all enhanced stealth powers, abilities, and magics?
Your thoughts?
-Lanthorn
Last edited by Lanthorn on Sun Jul 29, 2012 6:54 pm; edited 2 times in total
If we go by the spells description alone, than yes only on a 1 is the individual surprised. Now here is were a ruling can come into affect. I would either rule it heightens ones ability to notice something is not right (ala spiderman's spider sense). See it gives them a warning but does not show them the source. So a player under the effect of the spell can halve their enemies chances of surprising them (spider sense tingles, but where is the danger coming from).
As a fellow Spidey fan, I can appreciate that analogy.
I see this conundrum resolved in one of two different manners, though I am open to suggestions:
1) The power of this minor, 1st lvl spell is enough to overcome any and all types of stealth abilities, powers, or magical effects. The recipient can only be surprised on a 1, no matter what.
2) Take the difference between the two, thereby allowing the spell's effect to reduce the enhanced surprise ability (basically, a reduction of about 17%, I believe).
Ex: Trogs can surprise most normal folk on a 1-4 out of 6 chance. A character under the effects of Blessed Watchfulness is surprised on a 1-3 instead.
Sure, there are animals, demons and "creatures" with "natural" abilities. There are even Drow, in the "dark places" of the Oerth. And then there's the Invisibility spell. So, I go with it like this:
On a roll of 1, the PC knows nothing, the PC notices nothing.
Less than a roll of 1 and the PC is aware that something is wrong but, perhaps, nothing more than that. As in: This spell does not negate Invisibility.
Sure, you're not "surprised," you're alert and ready for anything, but . . .
You still can't see the invisible creature, nor -- possibly -- know from what direction the creature is "attacking." So, for me, there would still be some surprise -- as in, the attacking creature has the initiative.
"But Mystic, it's a Divine spell!"
Sure it is, but the spell does not give you the ability of your "god." Only "Pelor" is omniscient, "you" are not. And no spell will give "you" that power. So, even using Blessed Watchfulness, "you" will still suffer some "surprise."
Modifiers do not apply. The spell effectively reduces surprise to a 1 in 10 chance only.
Wow, that's still darned good! Especially considering all the sample examples I've given (creatures with enhanced suprise ability, etc.). And the fact that this is merely only one benefit of the spell... This is one POTENT first lvl clerical spell.
Oh, isn't it a 1 in 6 (instead of 10)? Just looked at the book, and all it says is "In fact, it takes a roll of 1 to surprise someone..." Or did I overlook something (obvious)?
You probably are forgetting the obvious bit that 2E uses a d10 for Surprise while 1E uses a d6.
But, then I thought, "Some game editions word certain things oddly sometimes, so I better look at everything closely again."
Having now done that, I will revise my statement and say that modifiers do apply. Surprise happens on a d10 roll of 1, 2, or 3. This of course does not mean that surprise only happens on a natural roll of those numbers, otherwise their would be no modifiers table. The same language is used for both Surprise and for the spell, so I would think that modifiers would have to apply. Besides, this is only a 1st level spell, which I think needs to be taken into account too. For some reason I was thinking that the spell is of higher level (probably confusing it with unceasing vigilance of the holy sentinel).
So, in effect, Blessed Watchfulness gives the recipient a +2 bonus in their favor for Surprise rolls, they being surprised on a "roll" of 1 rather than of 1, 2, or 3 (after modifiers have been applied). Considering the other benefits of this 1st level spell, it is pretty dang good without a set 1-in-10, which the recipient will still get unless the enemy actually does have some form of invisibility, stealth, etc. modifier in their favor. _________________ - Moderator/Admin (in some areas)/Member -
Last edited by Cebrion on Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:37 am; edited 1 time in total
You probably are forgetting the obvious bit that 2E uses a d10 for Surprise while 1E uses a d6. .
Yup, that's what I forgot!
OK, I appreciate your looking more closely into that, Ceb. I was thinking that it was a bit...much...for a 1st lvl spell, which also grants additional benefits in addition to reduced chances for surprise.
Glad I inquired, and thanks for your helpful, investigative answer.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Canonfire! is a production of the Thursday Group in assocation with GREYtalk and Canonfire! Enterprises
This is one POTENT first lvl clerical spell.
