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    Canonfire :: View topic - Charm Person vs. Charm Monster
    Canonfire Forum Index -> Greyhawk- AD&D 2nd Edition
    Charm Person vs. Charm Monster
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    GreySage

    Joined: Sep 09, 2009
    Posts: 2470
    From: SW WA state (Highvale)

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    Thu Apr 30, 2015 6:13 pm  
    Charm Person vs. Charm Monster

    Got into a debate about when a humanoid is considered a "monster" instead a "person" for purposes of which spell is needed.

    I thought all humanoids of less than 4+1 HD fell under the domain of the "Charm Person" spell (goblins, hobgoblins, gnolls, bugbears, etc.) whereas anything with 4+1 HD and over (ogres, trolls, giants, etc.) were considered to fall under the dominion of the "Charm Monster" category.

    The debate centered around if my elven spell-caster could use a "Charm Person" spell on a bugbear or not.

    -Lanthorn
    Adept Greytalker

    Joined: Apr 21, 2013
    Posts: 378
    From: Minnesota

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    Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:51 pm  

    I recently realized I had made a mistake about his spell in my campaign.

    If I remember correctly (I am away from my books right now) the spell charm person must be man sized or smaller so a bugbear would not count since it is size large.

    I will have to look it up again to give you a better answer but I am pretty sure the spell is by size and not hit dice.
    Journeyman Greytalker

    Joined: Mar 05, 2007
    Posts: 290
    From: The Pomarj

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    Fri May 01, 2015 4:43 pm  

    I seem to recall a Dragon magazine article that gave a list of creatures that qualified as a "person" for purposes of the spell. If mymemory serves, ogres were in that list.
    I'm fairly sure it was is the 1st edition era, but 1st & 2nd editions are close enough it should work fine.
    Now, to remember what issue number that was, or hopefully someone else will find the answer and post before I do.
    GreySage

    Joined: Sep 09, 2009
    Posts: 2470
    From: SW WA state (Highvale)

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    Sat May 02, 2015 8:54 am  

    The description states in affects man-sized or smaller humanoid(oid) targets, yet gnolls, a large creature, are included on that list. Contradictory statement indeed. Hence, my confusion, and wondering if it shouldn't be a combination of size AND Hit Die that is the determining factor.

    -Lanthorn
    CF Admin

    Joined: Jun 29, 2001
    Posts: 1477
    From: Wichita, KS, USA

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    Sat May 02, 2015 11:30 am  

    Here's the expanded Charm Person list from EGG in Dragon #90:

    Aarakocra (F)
    Atomie (II)
    Azer (II)
    Booka (F)
    Brownie (M)
    Buckawn (II)
    Bullywug (F)
    Dark Creeper (F)
    Dark Stalker (F)
    Derro (II)
    Dryad (M)
    Duergar (II)
    Dwarf(M)
    Elf(M)
    Firenewt (F)
    Flind (F)
    Forlarren (F)
    Frost Man (F)
    Gibberling (F)
    Githyanki (F)
    Githzerai (F)
    Gnoll (M)
    Grig (II)
    Gnome (M)
    Goblin (M)
    Grimlock (F)
    Halfling (M)
    Half-elf
    Half-orc
    Hobgoblin (M)
    Jermlaine (F)
    Kenku (F)
    Killmoulis (F)
    Kobold (M)
    Korred (II)
    Lizard King (F)
    Lizard Man (M)
    Meazel (F)
    Men (M)
    Mite (F)
    Mongrelman (II)
    Nereid (II)
    Nixie (M)
    Norker (F)
    Ogrillon (F)
    Orc (M)
    Pech (II)
    Pixie (M)
    Quaggoth (F)
    Quickling (II)
    Qullan (F)
    Shade (II)
    Sirine (II)
    Snyad (F)
    Spriggan, size S (II)
    Sprite (M)
    Svirfneblin (F)
    Swanmay (II)
    Taer (II)
    Tasloi (II)
    Troglodyte (M)
    Xvart (F)
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    Allan Grohe (grodog@gmail.com)
    http://www.greyhawkonline.com/grodog/greyhawk.html
    Journeyman Greytalker

    Joined: Mar 05, 2007
    Posts: 290
    From: The Pomarj

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    Sat May 02, 2015 2:35 pm  

    Well thank you for posting the list Grodog.
    Apparently I was mistaken thinking ogres were in the list of "persons". I thought they were the top of the size spectrum.
    I see that ogrillons are in the list. So, should half ogres be included as well?
    As Lanthorn pointed out, gnolls are large sized, and yet are in the list. Ogrillons are large as well, so clearly there are some exceptions to the "man sized or smaller" rule.
    Black Hand of Oblivion

    Joined: Feb 16, 2003
    Posts: 3835
    From: So. Cal

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    Sun May 03, 2015 12:43 am  

    I would include the half-ogre, it being partially human.
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    GreySage

    Joined: Sep 09, 2009
    Posts: 2470
    From: SW WA state (Highvale)

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    Sun May 03, 2015 8:36 am  

    Grodog, MUCH appreciated for the exhaustive list.

    Yes, odd that bugbears are missing given, as I've said, that gnolls are included. Too, it is odd that the lizard king, a beast FAR more deadly (more HD, and of Large size) than a lizard man is also included.

    -Lanthorn
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