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Haven Planescape Hijack Since: Jan, 2001
Planescape Hijack
#1: Apr 28th 2011 at 1:45:21 PM

Aka Mind Screw in D&D spell form.

This peculiar wild magic creates a random fluctuation in the probabilities of existence. The spell can be cast only upon nonliving objects and can affect only materials within a 10'x10'x10' cube.

Objects in the area of effect either remain normal and visible or they disappear (50% chance). The state of existence for any object is determined randomly and changes with each viewing and viewer. Thus, a single object could appear and disappear several times during the course of the spell. Furthermore, it might be "there" for one onlooker, but "not there" for another.

For example, a wild mage casts this spell on a doorway. The DM rolls percentile dice and determines the door is "there" for the wizard. The wizard's companion also looks at the door. The DM rolls and determines that the door is "not there" for the companion. The pair studies the door for several minutes, during which time the door does not change (this counts as a single viewing for each character).

The wizard and his companion then close their eyes. When they look at the door again, new checks for each character reveal the door is "not there" for both characters. The pair steps through the open archway and turns around to look at the door once again. This time it is "not there" for the wizard, but "there" for his companion. This random changing continues throughout the duration of the spell.

Objects that are "there" are normal in all respects. Doors can be opened, chests can be picked up and carried, and rocks can be used as barricades. Objects that are "not there" are gone, although their absence does not cause ceilings to collapse or other damage. A wizard could walk through a "not there" wall without difficulty.

When two parties perceive a there/not there object differently, the object functions for each party according to its own perceptions. For example, a wizard hides behind a rock that he sees as "there." Her enemy, a fighter, perceives the rock as "not there" and fires arrows at the wizard. The wizard would perceive the arrows as bouncing off the rock, while the fighter would perceive the arrows as missing their target or falling short. The fighter would be subject to a check before firing each arrow to determine whether his perception changes (assume that the fighter must look away from the rock every time he nocks an arrow; each time he takes aim, this counts as a new viewing).

After the spell is cast, any objects removed from the area of effect retain their uncertain existence for the duration of the spell. Thus, a pair of heroes could pick up a treasure chest, carry it down the hall, set it down, and discover it had vanished while their backs were turned. Worse still, one might see the chest and the other not!

The material component is a small piece of cat fur sealed inside a small box.

Admittedly it's hard to imagine a reliable, tactical use for this. Well, besides messing with everyone's heads—and who could want more than that?—but you're playing a Wild mage, and every so often your spells make butterflies appear or turn the entire party green.

Productivity is for people without internet connections. -Count Dorku
JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#2: Apr 28th 2011 at 3:57:01 PM

Okay, so what would happen if you cast that on a giant rock, rolled "not there" stood in the place where the rock was, closed your eyes, and then rolled "there"?

edited 28th Apr '11 3:57:11 PM by JapaneseTeeth

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thespacephantom Jamais vu from the smallest church in Saint-Saëns Since: Oct, 2009
Jamais vu
#3: Apr 28th 2011 at 4:46:01 PM

Cat fur in a box?

UN JOUR JE SERAI DE RETOUR PRÈS DE TOI
KSPAM PARTY PARTY PARTY I WANNA HAVE A PARTY from PARTY ROCK Since: Oct, 2009 Relationship Status: Giving love a bad name
PARTY PARTY PARTY I WANNA HAVE A PARTY
#4: Apr 28th 2011 at 6:26:43 PM

[up][up] That depends. If it re-materialized with you in it, it would most likely behave the way you'd expect it to, considering the nature of its existence is defined by your perceptions of it.

[up] Schrodinger's Cat.

edited 28th Apr '11 6:27:49 PM by KSPAM

I've got new mythological machinery, and very handsome supernatural scenery. Goodfae: a mafia web serial
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