Can the “Friends” spell be used without making the target hostile?












12












$begingroup$


Friends is a strange spell because it tells you how to roleplay the targets reaction without exception. However, it also give a reasoning for the reaction.




When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile towards you.




However, what happens if you warn the target beforehand that you are using the spell? For example, if you are a performer and you want a person to "experience the music in a heightened state." You explain what the spell does and they agree to have it done to them.




  1. Is the hostility some sort of magical compulsion or just the assumed reaction to the deception?

  2. Does it matter at all that the reasoning behind the reaction isn't true anymore?

  3. If it is magical, how long does it last afterwards?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    You may need to separate out #4, that seems like a very different question.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    I think #3 is really the core of this question. #1 and #2 follow from the answer to #3. (Not that it necessarily needs to be edited. Just pointing out that any answer really needs to address #3 specifically.)
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    4 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    @NautArch i think #4 is closely tied with the answer on #3.
    $endgroup$
    – Vylix
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    I see your point, 1(asking if they're hostile) and 2 (the importance of the rules intentions), really are extension of 3. I'll make that the first question, remove 1 (since it is implied) and leave 2 and 4 where it is in the order.
    $endgroup$
    – The Hidden DM
    4 hours ago
















12












$begingroup$


Friends is a strange spell because it tells you how to roleplay the targets reaction without exception. However, it also give a reasoning for the reaction.




When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile towards you.




However, what happens if you warn the target beforehand that you are using the spell? For example, if you are a performer and you want a person to "experience the music in a heightened state." You explain what the spell does and they agree to have it done to them.




  1. Is the hostility some sort of magical compulsion or just the assumed reaction to the deception?

  2. Does it matter at all that the reasoning behind the reaction isn't true anymore?

  3. If it is magical, how long does it last afterwards?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    You may need to separate out #4, that seems like a very different question.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    I think #3 is really the core of this question. #1 and #2 follow from the answer to #3. (Not that it necessarily needs to be edited. Just pointing out that any answer really needs to address #3 specifically.)
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    4 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    @NautArch i think #4 is closely tied with the answer on #3.
    $endgroup$
    – Vylix
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    I see your point, 1(asking if they're hostile) and 2 (the importance of the rules intentions), really are extension of 3. I'll make that the first question, remove 1 (since it is implied) and leave 2 and 4 where it is in the order.
    $endgroup$
    – The Hidden DM
    4 hours ago














12












12








12





$begingroup$


Friends is a strange spell because it tells you how to roleplay the targets reaction without exception. However, it also give a reasoning for the reaction.




When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile towards you.




However, what happens if you warn the target beforehand that you are using the spell? For example, if you are a performer and you want a person to "experience the music in a heightened state." You explain what the spell does and they agree to have it done to them.




  1. Is the hostility some sort of magical compulsion or just the assumed reaction to the deception?

  2. Does it matter at all that the reasoning behind the reaction isn't true anymore?

  3. If it is magical, how long does it last afterwards?










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




Friends is a strange spell because it tells you how to roleplay the targets reaction without exception. However, it also give a reasoning for the reaction.




When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile towards you.




However, what happens if you warn the target beforehand that you are using the spell? For example, if you are a performer and you want a person to "experience the music in a heightened state." You explain what the spell does and they agree to have it done to them.




  1. Is the hostility some sort of magical compulsion or just the assumed reaction to the deception?

  2. Does it matter at all that the reasoning behind the reaction isn't true anymore?

  3. If it is magical, how long does it last afterwards?







dnd-5e spells






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 1 hour ago







The Hidden DM

















asked 5 hours ago









The Hidden DMThe Hidden DM

13617




13617












  • $begingroup$
    You may need to separate out #4, that seems like a very different question.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    I think #3 is really the core of this question. #1 and #2 follow from the answer to #3. (Not that it necessarily needs to be edited. Just pointing out that any answer really needs to address #3 specifically.)
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    4 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    @NautArch i think #4 is closely tied with the answer on #3.
    $endgroup$
    – Vylix
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    I see your point, 1(asking if they're hostile) and 2 (the importance of the rules intentions), really are extension of 3. I'll make that the first question, remove 1 (since it is implied) and leave 2 and 4 where it is in the order.
    $endgroup$
    – The Hidden DM
    4 hours ago


















  • $begingroup$
    You may need to separate out #4, that seems like a very different question.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    I think #3 is really the core of this question. #1 and #2 follow from the answer to #3. (Not that it necessarily needs to be edited. Just pointing out that any answer really needs to address #3 specifically.)
    $endgroup$
    – Ryan Thompson
    4 hours ago












  • $begingroup$
    @NautArch i think #4 is closely tied with the answer on #3.
    $endgroup$
    – Vylix
    4 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    I see your point, 1(asking if they're hostile) and 2 (the importance of the rules intentions), really are extension of 3. I'll make that the first question, remove 1 (since it is implied) and leave 2 and 4 where it is in the order.
    $endgroup$
    – The Hidden DM
    4 hours ago
















$begingroup$
You may need to separate out #4, that seems like a very different question.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
5 hours ago




$begingroup$
You may need to separate out #4, that seems like a very different question.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
5 hours ago












$begingroup$
I think #3 is really the core of this question. #1 and #2 follow from the answer to #3. (Not that it necessarily needs to be edited. Just pointing out that any answer really needs to address #3 specifically.)
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
4 hours ago






$begingroup$
I think #3 is really the core of this question. #1 and #2 follow from the answer to #3. (Not that it necessarily needs to be edited. Just pointing out that any answer really needs to address #3 specifically.)
$endgroup$
– Ryan Thompson
4 hours ago














$begingroup$
@NautArch i think #4 is closely tied with the answer on #3.
$endgroup$
– Vylix
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
@NautArch i think #4 is closely tied with the answer on #3.
$endgroup$
– Vylix
4 hours ago












$begingroup$
I see your point, 1(asking if they're hostile) and 2 (the importance of the rules intentions), really are extension of 3. I'll make that the first question, remove 1 (since it is implied) and leave 2 and 4 where it is in the order.
$endgroup$
– The Hidden DM
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
I see your point, 1(asking if they're hostile) and 2 (the importance of the rules intentions), really are extension of 3. I'll make that the first question, remove 1 (since it is implied) and leave 2 and 4 where it is in the order.
$endgroup$
– The Hidden DM
4 hours ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















7












$begingroup$

The hostility is part of the spell description.



And this is very balanced. This is a cantrip that can be cast once every round as many times as you want. If it were not balanced with a negative response by the target it would be very easy to overuse it. The hostility aspect of the spell does two things:




  • It ensures that the target knows who cast the spell when the spell ends.

  • It balances the cantrip with a negative consequence.


Both of these points are clearly illustrated in the spell description as shown by the highlighted text (PHB 244, emphasis mine):




When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood
and becomes hostile toward you.




The roleplay is not specified



But it is indicated in a general way. The target becomes hostile. What does this mean? In standard usage for the spell it probably would mean that the target is angry that their feelings were manipulated, or something along those lines, and the target acts in angry way towards the spell caster. However in this usage it could mean something else.



For example, even when a person knows that their mood has been influenced they are often in a state of emotional and even physical discomfort when an "enhanced mood" wears off. Think of caffeine or nicotine withdrawal. You know you had caffeine, you know it made you feel more awake and "perky", you know you would not have made it through the work day without it. It's 5pm, it's affects are gone, and you're annoyed.



How are you annoyed? Do you have a headache? Are you fidgety? Are you exhausted? Do you yawn every ten seconds? What are you annoyed at? The caffeine? The coffee? The work day? Yourself? Traffic? Everything? How do you respond to this annoyance? Do you drink more coffee? Drink some calming tea? Speed in your car? Yell at people? Listen to music?




GM decides the roleplay



There are many ways to feel and act hostile towards a person. In the situation you describe, where the target is knowingly affected by the spell to enhance a performance there are many possibilities:




  • The target could be irritable and want more of the spell to continue to feel good.

  • The target could want to experience the performance again (right now!).

  • The target could feel that the enhancement wasn't all it was cracked out to be and wants their money back.

  • The target could be on a downer after such an amazing "enhanced" performance and be generally angry at everything around them.

  • The target could be acutely aware that this was the best performance they will ever see and no performance will ever match it because of the enhancement you provided - you essentially just ruined every future performance they will ever see, and they know it. This makes them very angry.

  • The target could demand that you accompany them next Saturday night to a different performance that you're not even a part of.


These are just some possibilities.



How the target is roleplayed is entirely up to the GM and there is a vast spectrum of possibilities.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Having the spell provide a emotional down or chemical dependency afterwards is a cool interpretation that explains the hostility of a knowing target! I wouldn't say that the spell not causing a reaction in this specific edge case is enough to unbalance the cantrip, but I can see the logic in that argument and wouldn't argue against it, in a game.
    $endgroup$
    – The Hidden DM
    2 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @TheHiddenDM Gives me an idea for an entire campaign based in a city where bards are "magic dealers," like drug dealers.
    $endgroup$
    – lightcat
    2 hours ago





















4












$begingroup$

No, except by DM discretion



The spell states:




When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile towards you. [...] Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM ’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.




The creature simply becomes hostile towards you after the spell ends because the spell causes them to become so. The nature of the hostility (and resulting behavior) is up to the DM, including attacking you, refusing service afterward, giving false information, or other. In the case of full disclosure beforehand, the creature hostility might manifest in subtler ways, maybe fueled by doubt that you cast the right spell or other reason.



The change of mood is caused by the spell, thus it is magical, but since the spell already ends, the hostility is not fueled by the spell, thus it is not dispellable. The duration is also not specified, so it defaults to indefinite. The hostility, however, is reversible using mundane means, including persuading, intimidating, or whatever course of actions the DM deems appropriate.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$





















    3












    $begingroup$

    It is possible according to the spell description, but is up to DM discretion



    The spell text for friends includes the following:




    When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile ...



    [The target] might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.




    This suggests to me that the outcome it is indeed dependent on the target's prior consent, and the specific actions you take while they are under the spell's effects. In particular, there is no clause stating that the target forgets its consent to influence.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$









    • 3




      $begingroup$
      The hostility is not optional, the manifestation of retribution is. Target becomes hostile simply because the spell cause them so, so it is by magical compulsion, although it's not sustained and reversable.
      $endgroup$
      – Vylix
      4 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      What magical compulsion? The spell is over at that point.
      $endgroup$
      – Mark Wells
      4 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Magical compulsion or not, the spell does what it says it does. The second line quoted in the answer is directly related to the sentence before it that you left out: "A creature prone to violence might attack you. Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it."
      $endgroup$
      – V2Blast
      4 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @MarkWells yes, the spell is over, but the effect is already done "[target] becomes hostile towards you". Similar to what animate dead do, the spell is over, but the corpse will remain animated unless killed.
      $endgroup$
      – Vylix
      4 hours ago






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @frog: But my point is that it becomes hostile no matter what. The course of action it chooses as a result of that is (in an NPC's case) up to DM discretion. You're right that it could immediately stop being hostile after it realizes it agreed to the spell (...for some reason), but there is still momentary hostility at least.
      $endgroup$
      – V2Blast
      4 hours ago













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    3 Answers
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    active

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    3 Answers
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    active

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    active

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    7












    $begingroup$

    The hostility is part of the spell description.



    And this is very balanced. This is a cantrip that can be cast once every round as many times as you want. If it were not balanced with a negative response by the target it would be very easy to overuse it. The hostility aspect of the spell does two things:




    • It ensures that the target knows who cast the spell when the spell ends.

    • It balances the cantrip with a negative consequence.


    Both of these points are clearly illustrated in the spell description as shown by the highlighted text (PHB 244, emphasis mine):




    When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood
    and becomes hostile toward you.




    The roleplay is not specified



    But it is indicated in a general way. The target becomes hostile. What does this mean? In standard usage for the spell it probably would mean that the target is angry that their feelings were manipulated, or something along those lines, and the target acts in angry way towards the spell caster. However in this usage it could mean something else.



    For example, even when a person knows that their mood has been influenced they are often in a state of emotional and even physical discomfort when an "enhanced mood" wears off. Think of caffeine or nicotine withdrawal. You know you had caffeine, you know it made you feel more awake and "perky", you know you would not have made it through the work day without it. It's 5pm, it's affects are gone, and you're annoyed.



    How are you annoyed? Do you have a headache? Are you fidgety? Are you exhausted? Do you yawn every ten seconds? What are you annoyed at? The caffeine? The coffee? The work day? Yourself? Traffic? Everything? How do you respond to this annoyance? Do you drink more coffee? Drink some calming tea? Speed in your car? Yell at people? Listen to music?




    GM decides the roleplay



    There are many ways to feel and act hostile towards a person. In the situation you describe, where the target is knowingly affected by the spell to enhance a performance there are many possibilities:




    • The target could be irritable and want more of the spell to continue to feel good.

    • The target could want to experience the performance again (right now!).

    • The target could feel that the enhancement wasn't all it was cracked out to be and wants their money back.

    • The target could be on a downer after such an amazing "enhanced" performance and be generally angry at everything around them.

    • The target could be acutely aware that this was the best performance they will ever see and no performance will ever match it because of the enhancement you provided - you essentially just ruined every future performance they will ever see, and they know it. This makes them very angry.

    • The target could demand that you accompany them next Saturday night to a different performance that you're not even a part of.


    These are just some possibilities.



    How the target is roleplayed is entirely up to the GM and there is a vast spectrum of possibilities.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Having the spell provide a emotional down or chemical dependency afterwards is a cool interpretation that explains the hostility of a knowing target! I wouldn't say that the spell not causing a reaction in this specific edge case is enough to unbalance the cantrip, but I can see the logic in that argument and wouldn't argue against it, in a game.
      $endgroup$
      – The Hidden DM
      2 hours ago






    • 2




      $begingroup$
      @TheHiddenDM Gives me an idea for an entire campaign based in a city where bards are "magic dealers," like drug dealers.
      $endgroup$
      – lightcat
      2 hours ago


















    7












    $begingroup$

    The hostility is part of the spell description.



    And this is very balanced. This is a cantrip that can be cast once every round as many times as you want. If it were not balanced with a negative response by the target it would be very easy to overuse it. The hostility aspect of the spell does two things:




    • It ensures that the target knows who cast the spell when the spell ends.

    • It balances the cantrip with a negative consequence.


    Both of these points are clearly illustrated in the spell description as shown by the highlighted text (PHB 244, emphasis mine):




    When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood
    and becomes hostile toward you.




    The roleplay is not specified



    But it is indicated in a general way. The target becomes hostile. What does this mean? In standard usage for the spell it probably would mean that the target is angry that their feelings were manipulated, or something along those lines, and the target acts in angry way towards the spell caster. However in this usage it could mean something else.



    For example, even when a person knows that their mood has been influenced they are often in a state of emotional and even physical discomfort when an "enhanced mood" wears off. Think of caffeine or nicotine withdrawal. You know you had caffeine, you know it made you feel more awake and "perky", you know you would not have made it through the work day without it. It's 5pm, it's affects are gone, and you're annoyed.



    How are you annoyed? Do you have a headache? Are you fidgety? Are you exhausted? Do you yawn every ten seconds? What are you annoyed at? The caffeine? The coffee? The work day? Yourself? Traffic? Everything? How do you respond to this annoyance? Do you drink more coffee? Drink some calming tea? Speed in your car? Yell at people? Listen to music?




    GM decides the roleplay



    There are many ways to feel and act hostile towards a person. In the situation you describe, where the target is knowingly affected by the spell to enhance a performance there are many possibilities:




    • The target could be irritable and want more of the spell to continue to feel good.

    • The target could want to experience the performance again (right now!).

    • The target could feel that the enhancement wasn't all it was cracked out to be and wants their money back.

    • The target could be on a downer after such an amazing "enhanced" performance and be generally angry at everything around them.

    • The target could be acutely aware that this was the best performance they will ever see and no performance will ever match it because of the enhancement you provided - you essentially just ruined every future performance they will ever see, and they know it. This makes them very angry.

    • The target could demand that you accompany them next Saturday night to a different performance that you're not even a part of.


    These are just some possibilities.



    How the target is roleplayed is entirely up to the GM and there is a vast spectrum of possibilities.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Having the spell provide a emotional down or chemical dependency afterwards is a cool interpretation that explains the hostility of a knowing target! I wouldn't say that the spell not causing a reaction in this specific edge case is enough to unbalance the cantrip, but I can see the logic in that argument and wouldn't argue against it, in a game.
      $endgroup$
      – The Hidden DM
      2 hours ago






    • 2




      $begingroup$
      @TheHiddenDM Gives me an idea for an entire campaign based in a city where bards are "magic dealers," like drug dealers.
      $endgroup$
      – lightcat
      2 hours ago
















    7












    7








    7





    $begingroup$

    The hostility is part of the spell description.



    And this is very balanced. This is a cantrip that can be cast once every round as many times as you want. If it were not balanced with a negative response by the target it would be very easy to overuse it. The hostility aspect of the spell does two things:




    • It ensures that the target knows who cast the spell when the spell ends.

    • It balances the cantrip with a negative consequence.


    Both of these points are clearly illustrated in the spell description as shown by the highlighted text (PHB 244, emphasis mine):




    When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood
    and becomes hostile toward you.




    The roleplay is not specified



    But it is indicated in a general way. The target becomes hostile. What does this mean? In standard usage for the spell it probably would mean that the target is angry that their feelings were manipulated, or something along those lines, and the target acts in angry way towards the spell caster. However in this usage it could mean something else.



    For example, even when a person knows that their mood has been influenced they are often in a state of emotional and even physical discomfort when an "enhanced mood" wears off. Think of caffeine or nicotine withdrawal. You know you had caffeine, you know it made you feel more awake and "perky", you know you would not have made it through the work day without it. It's 5pm, it's affects are gone, and you're annoyed.



    How are you annoyed? Do you have a headache? Are you fidgety? Are you exhausted? Do you yawn every ten seconds? What are you annoyed at? The caffeine? The coffee? The work day? Yourself? Traffic? Everything? How do you respond to this annoyance? Do you drink more coffee? Drink some calming tea? Speed in your car? Yell at people? Listen to music?




    GM decides the roleplay



    There are many ways to feel and act hostile towards a person. In the situation you describe, where the target is knowingly affected by the spell to enhance a performance there are many possibilities:




    • The target could be irritable and want more of the spell to continue to feel good.

    • The target could want to experience the performance again (right now!).

    • The target could feel that the enhancement wasn't all it was cracked out to be and wants their money back.

    • The target could be on a downer after such an amazing "enhanced" performance and be generally angry at everything around them.

    • The target could be acutely aware that this was the best performance they will ever see and no performance will ever match it because of the enhancement you provided - you essentially just ruined every future performance they will ever see, and they know it. This makes them very angry.

    • The target could demand that you accompany them next Saturday night to a different performance that you're not even a part of.


    These are just some possibilities.



    How the target is roleplayed is entirely up to the GM and there is a vast spectrum of possibilities.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$



    The hostility is part of the spell description.



    And this is very balanced. This is a cantrip that can be cast once every round as many times as you want. If it were not balanced with a negative response by the target it would be very easy to overuse it. The hostility aspect of the spell does two things:




    • It ensures that the target knows who cast the spell when the spell ends.

    • It balances the cantrip with a negative consequence.


    Both of these points are clearly illustrated in the spell description as shown by the highlighted text (PHB 244, emphasis mine):




    When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood
    and becomes hostile toward you.




    The roleplay is not specified



    But it is indicated in a general way. The target becomes hostile. What does this mean? In standard usage for the spell it probably would mean that the target is angry that their feelings were manipulated, or something along those lines, and the target acts in angry way towards the spell caster. However in this usage it could mean something else.



    For example, even when a person knows that their mood has been influenced they are often in a state of emotional and even physical discomfort when an "enhanced mood" wears off. Think of caffeine or nicotine withdrawal. You know you had caffeine, you know it made you feel more awake and "perky", you know you would not have made it through the work day without it. It's 5pm, it's affects are gone, and you're annoyed.



    How are you annoyed? Do you have a headache? Are you fidgety? Are you exhausted? Do you yawn every ten seconds? What are you annoyed at? The caffeine? The coffee? The work day? Yourself? Traffic? Everything? How do you respond to this annoyance? Do you drink more coffee? Drink some calming tea? Speed in your car? Yell at people? Listen to music?




    GM decides the roleplay



    There are many ways to feel and act hostile towards a person. In the situation you describe, where the target is knowingly affected by the spell to enhance a performance there are many possibilities:




    • The target could be irritable and want more of the spell to continue to feel good.

    • The target could want to experience the performance again (right now!).

    • The target could feel that the enhancement wasn't all it was cracked out to be and wants their money back.

    • The target could be on a downer after such an amazing "enhanced" performance and be generally angry at everything around them.

    • The target could be acutely aware that this was the best performance they will ever see and no performance will ever match it because of the enhancement you provided - you essentially just ruined every future performance they will ever see, and they know it. This makes them very angry.

    • The target could demand that you accompany them next Saturday night to a different performance that you're not even a part of.


    These are just some possibilities.



    How the target is roleplayed is entirely up to the GM and there is a vast spectrum of possibilities.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered 2 hours ago









    lightcatlightcat

    3,5931352




    3,5931352








    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Having the spell provide a emotional down or chemical dependency afterwards is a cool interpretation that explains the hostility of a knowing target! I wouldn't say that the spell not causing a reaction in this specific edge case is enough to unbalance the cantrip, but I can see the logic in that argument and wouldn't argue against it, in a game.
      $endgroup$
      – The Hidden DM
      2 hours ago






    • 2




      $begingroup$
      @TheHiddenDM Gives me an idea for an entire campaign based in a city where bards are "magic dealers," like drug dealers.
      $endgroup$
      – lightcat
      2 hours ago
















    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Having the spell provide a emotional down or chemical dependency afterwards is a cool interpretation that explains the hostility of a knowing target! I wouldn't say that the spell not causing a reaction in this specific edge case is enough to unbalance the cantrip, but I can see the logic in that argument and wouldn't argue against it, in a game.
      $endgroup$
      – The Hidden DM
      2 hours ago






    • 2




      $begingroup$
      @TheHiddenDM Gives me an idea for an entire campaign based in a city where bards are "magic dealers," like drug dealers.
      $endgroup$
      – lightcat
      2 hours ago










    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    Having the spell provide a emotional down or chemical dependency afterwards is a cool interpretation that explains the hostility of a knowing target! I wouldn't say that the spell not causing a reaction in this specific edge case is enough to unbalance the cantrip, but I can see the logic in that argument and wouldn't argue against it, in a game.
    $endgroup$
    – The Hidden DM
    2 hours ago




    $begingroup$
    Having the spell provide a emotional down or chemical dependency afterwards is a cool interpretation that explains the hostility of a knowing target! I wouldn't say that the spell not causing a reaction in this specific edge case is enough to unbalance the cantrip, but I can see the logic in that argument and wouldn't argue against it, in a game.
    $endgroup$
    – The Hidden DM
    2 hours ago




    2




    2




    $begingroup$
    @TheHiddenDM Gives me an idea for an entire campaign based in a city where bards are "magic dealers," like drug dealers.
    $endgroup$
    – lightcat
    2 hours ago






    $begingroup$
    @TheHiddenDM Gives me an idea for an entire campaign based in a city where bards are "magic dealers," like drug dealers.
    $endgroup$
    – lightcat
    2 hours ago















    4












    $begingroup$

    No, except by DM discretion



    The spell states:




    When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile towards you. [...] Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM ’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.




    The creature simply becomes hostile towards you after the spell ends because the spell causes them to become so. The nature of the hostility (and resulting behavior) is up to the DM, including attacking you, refusing service afterward, giving false information, or other. In the case of full disclosure beforehand, the creature hostility might manifest in subtler ways, maybe fueled by doubt that you cast the right spell or other reason.



    The change of mood is caused by the spell, thus it is magical, but since the spell already ends, the hostility is not fueled by the spell, thus it is not dispellable. The duration is also not specified, so it defaults to indefinite. The hostility, however, is reversible using mundane means, including persuading, intimidating, or whatever course of actions the DM deems appropriate.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$


















      4












      $begingroup$

      No, except by DM discretion



      The spell states:




      When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile towards you. [...] Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM ’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.




      The creature simply becomes hostile towards you after the spell ends because the spell causes them to become so. The nature of the hostility (and resulting behavior) is up to the DM, including attacking you, refusing service afterward, giving false information, or other. In the case of full disclosure beforehand, the creature hostility might manifest in subtler ways, maybe fueled by doubt that you cast the right spell or other reason.



      The change of mood is caused by the spell, thus it is magical, but since the spell already ends, the hostility is not fueled by the spell, thus it is not dispellable. The duration is also not specified, so it defaults to indefinite. The hostility, however, is reversible using mundane means, including persuading, intimidating, or whatever course of actions the DM deems appropriate.






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$
















        4












        4








        4





        $begingroup$

        No, except by DM discretion



        The spell states:




        When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile towards you. [...] Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM ’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.




        The creature simply becomes hostile towards you after the spell ends because the spell causes them to become so. The nature of the hostility (and resulting behavior) is up to the DM, including attacking you, refusing service afterward, giving false information, or other. In the case of full disclosure beforehand, the creature hostility might manifest in subtler ways, maybe fueled by doubt that you cast the right spell or other reason.



        The change of mood is caused by the spell, thus it is magical, but since the spell already ends, the hostility is not fueled by the spell, thus it is not dispellable. The duration is also not specified, so it defaults to indefinite. The hostility, however, is reversible using mundane means, including persuading, intimidating, or whatever course of actions the DM deems appropriate.






        share|improve this answer











        $endgroup$



        No, except by DM discretion



        The spell states:




        When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile towards you. [...] Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM ’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.




        The creature simply becomes hostile towards you after the spell ends because the spell causes them to become so. The nature of the hostility (and resulting behavior) is up to the DM, including attacking you, refusing service afterward, giving false information, or other. In the case of full disclosure beforehand, the creature hostility might manifest in subtler ways, maybe fueled by doubt that you cast the right spell or other reason.



        The change of mood is caused by the spell, thus it is magical, but since the spell already ends, the hostility is not fueled by the spell, thus it is not dispellable. The duration is also not specified, so it defaults to indefinite. The hostility, however, is reversible using mundane means, including persuading, intimidating, or whatever course of actions the DM deems appropriate.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 4 hours ago









        V2Blast

        23.3k375146




        23.3k375146










        answered 4 hours ago









        VylixVylix

        12.4k251147




        12.4k251147























            3












            $begingroup$

            It is possible according to the spell description, but is up to DM discretion



            The spell text for friends includes the following:




            When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile ...



            [The target] might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.




            This suggests to me that the outcome it is indeed dependent on the target's prior consent, and the specific actions you take while they are under the spell's effects. In particular, there is no clause stating that the target forgets its consent to influence.






            share|improve this answer











            $endgroup$









            • 3




              $begingroup$
              The hostility is not optional, the manifestation of retribution is. Target becomes hostile simply because the spell cause them so, so it is by magical compulsion, although it's not sustained and reversable.
              $endgroup$
              – Vylix
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              What magical compulsion? The spell is over at that point.
              $endgroup$
              – Mark Wells
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              Magical compulsion or not, the spell does what it says it does. The second line quoted in the answer is directly related to the sentence before it that you left out: "A creature prone to violence might attack you. Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it."
              $endgroup$
              – V2Blast
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              @MarkWells yes, the spell is over, but the effect is already done "[target] becomes hostile towards you". Similar to what animate dead do, the spell is over, but the corpse will remain animated unless killed.
              $endgroup$
              – Vylix
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              @frog: But my point is that it becomes hostile no matter what. The course of action it chooses as a result of that is (in an NPC's case) up to DM discretion. You're right that it could immediately stop being hostile after it realizes it agreed to the spell (...for some reason), but there is still momentary hostility at least.
              $endgroup$
              – V2Blast
              4 hours ago


















            3












            $begingroup$

            It is possible according to the spell description, but is up to DM discretion



            The spell text for friends includes the following:




            When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile ...



            [The target] might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.




            This suggests to me that the outcome it is indeed dependent on the target's prior consent, and the specific actions you take while they are under the spell's effects. In particular, there is no clause stating that the target forgets its consent to influence.






            share|improve this answer











            $endgroup$









            • 3




              $begingroup$
              The hostility is not optional, the manifestation of retribution is. Target becomes hostile simply because the spell cause them so, so it is by magical compulsion, although it's not sustained and reversable.
              $endgroup$
              – Vylix
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              What magical compulsion? The spell is over at that point.
              $endgroup$
              – Mark Wells
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              Magical compulsion or not, the spell does what it says it does. The second line quoted in the answer is directly related to the sentence before it that you left out: "A creature prone to violence might attack you. Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it."
              $endgroup$
              – V2Blast
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              @MarkWells yes, the spell is over, but the effect is already done "[target] becomes hostile towards you". Similar to what animate dead do, the spell is over, but the corpse will remain animated unless killed.
              $endgroup$
              – Vylix
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              @frog: But my point is that it becomes hostile no matter what. The course of action it chooses as a result of that is (in an NPC's case) up to DM discretion. You're right that it could immediately stop being hostile after it realizes it agreed to the spell (...for some reason), but there is still momentary hostility at least.
              $endgroup$
              – V2Blast
              4 hours ago
















            3












            3








            3





            $begingroup$

            It is possible according to the spell description, but is up to DM discretion



            The spell text for friends includes the following:




            When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile ...



            [The target] might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.




            This suggests to me that the outcome it is indeed dependent on the target's prior consent, and the specific actions you take while they are under the spell's effects. In particular, there is no clause stating that the target forgets its consent to influence.






            share|improve this answer











            $endgroup$



            It is possible according to the spell description, but is up to DM discretion



            The spell text for friends includes the following:




            When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile ...



            [The target] might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.




            This suggests to me that the outcome it is indeed dependent on the target's prior consent, and the specific actions you take while they are under the spell's effects. In particular, there is no clause stating that the target forgets its consent to influence.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 4 hours ago

























            answered 4 hours ago









            frogfrog

            1,115614




            1,115614








            • 3




              $begingroup$
              The hostility is not optional, the manifestation of retribution is. Target becomes hostile simply because the spell cause them so, so it is by magical compulsion, although it's not sustained and reversable.
              $endgroup$
              – Vylix
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              What magical compulsion? The spell is over at that point.
              $endgroup$
              – Mark Wells
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              Magical compulsion or not, the spell does what it says it does. The second line quoted in the answer is directly related to the sentence before it that you left out: "A creature prone to violence might attack you. Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it."
              $endgroup$
              – V2Blast
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              @MarkWells yes, the spell is over, but the effect is already done "[target] becomes hostile towards you". Similar to what animate dead do, the spell is over, but the corpse will remain animated unless killed.
              $endgroup$
              – Vylix
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              @frog: But my point is that it becomes hostile no matter what. The course of action it chooses as a result of that is (in an NPC's case) up to DM discretion. You're right that it could immediately stop being hostile after it realizes it agreed to the spell (...for some reason), but there is still momentary hostility at least.
              $endgroup$
              – V2Blast
              4 hours ago
















            • 3




              $begingroup$
              The hostility is not optional, the manifestation of retribution is. Target becomes hostile simply because the spell cause them so, so it is by magical compulsion, although it's not sustained and reversable.
              $endgroup$
              – Vylix
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              What magical compulsion? The spell is over at that point.
              $endgroup$
              – Mark Wells
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              Magical compulsion or not, the spell does what it says it does. The second line quoted in the answer is directly related to the sentence before it that you left out: "A creature prone to violence might attack you. Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it."
              $endgroup$
              – V2Blast
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              @MarkWells yes, the spell is over, but the effect is already done "[target] becomes hostile towards you". Similar to what animate dead do, the spell is over, but the corpse will remain animated unless killed.
              $endgroup$
              – Vylix
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              @frog: But my point is that it becomes hostile no matter what. The course of action it chooses as a result of that is (in an NPC's case) up to DM discretion. You're right that it could immediately stop being hostile after it realizes it agreed to the spell (...for some reason), but there is still momentary hostility at least.
              $endgroup$
              – V2Blast
              4 hours ago










            3




            3




            $begingroup$
            The hostility is not optional, the manifestation of retribution is. Target becomes hostile simply because the spell cause them so, so it is by magical compulsion, although it's not sustained and reversable.
            $endgroup$
            – Vylix
            4 hours ago




            $begingroup$
            The hostility is not optional, the manifestation of retribution is. Target becomes hostile simply because the spell cause them so, so it is by magical compulsion, although it's not sustained and reversable.
            $endgroup$
            – Vylix
            4 hours ago




            1




            1




            $begingroup$
            What magical compulsion? The spell is over at that point.
            $endgroup$
            – Mark Wells
            4 hours ago




            $begingroup$
            What magical compulsion? The spell is over at that point.
            $endgroup$
            – Mark Wells
            4 hours ago




            1




            1




            $begingroup$
            Magical compulsion or not, the spell does what it says it does. The second line quoted in the answer is directly related to the sentence before it that you left out: "A creature prone to violence might attack you. Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it."
            $endgroup$
            – V2Blast
            4 hours ago




            $begingroup$
            Magical compulsion or not, the spell does what it says it does. The second line quoted in the answer is directly related to the sentence before it that you left out: "A creature prone to violence might attack you. Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it."
            $endgroup$
            – V2Blast
            4 hours ago




            1




            1




            $begingroup$
            @MarkWells yes, the spell is over, but the effect is already done "[target] becomes hostile towards you". Similar to what animate dead do, the spell is over, but the corpse will remain animated unless killed.
            $endgroup$
            – Vylix
            4 hours ago




            $begingroup$
            @MarkWells yes, the spell is over, but the effect is already done "[target] becomes hostile towards you". Similar to what animate dead do, the spell is over, but the corpse will remain animated unless killed.
            $endgroup$
            – Vylix
            4 hours ago




            1




            1




            $begingroup$
            @frog: But my point is that it becomes hostile no matter what. The course of action it chooses as a result of that is (in an NPC's case) up to DM discretion. You're right that it could immediately stop being hostile after it realizes it agreed to the spell (...for some reason), but there is still momentary hostility at least.
            $endgroup$
            – V2Blast
            4 hours ago






            $begingroup$
            @frog: But my point is that it becomes hostile no matter what. The course of action it chooses as a result of that is (in an NPC's case) up to DM discretion. You're right that it could immediately stop being hostile after it realizes it agreed to the spell (...for some reason), but there is still momentary hostility at least.
            $endgroup$
            – V2Blast
            4 hours ago




















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