AMIA ARCHIVE • View topic - Magic in Non-PvP areas

Ok, I've looked around the pvp threads and generally searched for it, but can't find any rules regarding hostile magic in non-pvp areas. I'll use an example to illustrate.

Someone runs through a square with a lady's handbag.. The guard on duty is in pursuit and yells 'stop him!' Mage A casts Bigby's forceful hand (without setting hostile as there's no time and in a non-pvp area, it won't stick anyway). Naturally, perpetrator continues running because no effect was instantiated. Does this mean that mages are completely helpless to influence hostile pc's in non-pvp areas (how do the mage guard npc's handle this? hehe)? Am I missing something? Would setting that person to hostile allow the spell to stick via some custom scripting?

I'm asking for an official answer on how to handle this. It's not feasible to call a halt for them to roll a DC, especially if there are no DMs present.

Thanks in advance for any help on the matter.

I think you'd just need to rely on honor system there, or a DM.

Me and my partner in crime just agreed to pause the action, go over into a PvP area, pretend that nothing happened and blast each other there. That gets hard as soon as it's more than 2 people who are interested in the outcome, though.

To the Arena!

I believe the IC explanation is that the mage guards are in permanent counter spell mode, so a hostile spell would not even be allowed to be cast. Your bigby would just fizzle and be countered.

Zante wrote:

I believe the IC explanation is that the mage guards are in permanent counter spell mode, so a hostile spell would not even be allowed to be cast. Your bigby would just fizzle and be countered.

and now NON-hostile magic can't be cast and Fighters are Ubered in non-pvp areas.

TormakSaber wrote:

I think you'd just need to rely on honor system there, or a DM.

I'd be going for this.

Of course, they've already broken the honour system by virtue of metagaming the guards most likely.

J.G. wrote:

Zante wrote:

I believe the IC explanation is that the mage guards are in permanent counter spell mode, so a hostile spell would not even be allowed to be cast. Your bigby would just fizzle and be countered.

and now NON-hostile magic can't be cast and Fighters are Ubered in non-pvp areas.

Well the IC explanation for that is if you lay one finger on someone in anger, the guards come over and arrest your ass. So no problem.

It would be a citizen's arrest because the other person was stealing or breaking some other law. That is quite different from fighting out of personal anger and I think the NPC guards would recognize that as well.

Zante wrote:

I believe the IC explanation is that the mage guards are in permanent counter spell mode, so a hostile spell would not even be allowed to be cast. Your bigby would just fizzle and be countered.

As far as I know, this isn't the case. The whole reason for East Cordor and the like to be non-PvP is the number of asshats we used to get doing idiotic things, ignoring NPC guards, and general headaches for the DM team. Under properly RPed circumstances (rolling, etc.) I've no problem with PCs taking offensive action in such locales unless there's some sort of huge, over-riding circumstance. The key is for it to be properly RPed. I echo Tormak in saying you're up to an honor system or DM help.

And, keep in mind, ignoring NPC guards who could concievably swarm you is metagaming. :twisted:

Cordor Law:

http://amiaworld.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... highlight=

If someone's metagaming guards, screenshot it and PM them it to a DM.

Ok so to come back into context.

A PC (A) tries to assist in stopping a fleeing PC (B) who is running from a PC (C) guard. PC (A) attempts to use magic to do so. PC (B) cannot be hit by magic due to being present in a non-pvp zone, thus continues to flee.

In a face to face between PC (A) and PC (B) I would expect PC (B) to roll appropriately for DC's etc. However, in the case of a chase.. or someone wishing to flee from a mage to escape PvP, there's little a mage can do to prevent them from 'escaping the scene' (from the PvP rules).

I'm not trying to make a big deal of this. I was just curious if there was a proscribed way of handling such situations. I think what it boils down to is if there are npc guards present, it's potential meta'ing. In the case of where there are no npc's present, the mage is ineffectual in maintaining the confrontation if the other PC chooses to flee (possibly rectified by DM involvement).

Anyway, thanks for the responses guys, that helps put things into perspective!

I -hate- bystanders (PCs) who Mord another PC in Non-PvP areas.

Fabian wrote:

I'm not trying to make a big deal of this. I was just curious if there was a proscribed way of handling such situations.

There is not prescribed way ... we just rely on people to play fairly, and trust that they will.

I've always thought that unless you're a sneaker or an Epic level mage you have little chance of getting out without a fight. And even then some smart arse Druid can turn into a dragon and grab you...

The Incognitos wrote:

I've always thought that unless you're a sneaker or an Epic level mage you have little chance of getting out without a fight. And even then some smart arse Druid can turn into a dragon and grab you...

I'd be inclined to agree with you.

Magic in Non-PvP areas

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