Post/Author/DateTime	Post
tiercel 06-09-05, 08:05 PM	So you're an enchanter. Or a bard. And you're going to Captain Devious your way to the top with fun stuff like charm, suggestion, dominate, modify memory effects. That's all well and tasty, but what is to be done about those pesky, tell-tale magical auras you are leaving around your victims? As you rise in power, so will your target audience, and sooner or later someone with a lot of detect magics or just arcane sight (or the permanent version thereof) is going to see your lackeys lit up with Enchantment auras and get suspicious. So what's a devious soul to do? Magic aura sounds like the answer, but it only works on objects. Misdirection is tricky, since you want the target to detect just like it normally would, only without your devious Enchantment effects (plus it's only an hour per level, and it gives Will saves). Mind blank is exactly what you don't want your victims to have. Ideas? Or are you just going to have to choose victims no one will detect magic (or you won't care if they do)?
Jaid 06-09-05, 10:39 PM	coat them in lead ;) i mean, uh.... nondetection, maybe? i dunno...
Vaelan 06-10-05, 01:39 AM	In FR the normal answer is the Shadow Weave. There is nothing else outside of FR material, but this sounds like something you'd want to reserach a spell to do. If you're going to address the magical auras, you should also think about doing something to counter the Sense Motive check to see if a person is under some sort of magical influcence.
tiercel 06-10-05, 02:45 AM	I note on second reading that nondetection would in fact work... though if someone came up with a detect and it registers nothing, better have a good reason for that person to need to be shielded all the time.... Of course nondetection is 1 hr/level and 50gp a pop, which adds up even if you can Extend the spell to last a day at a time or more (plus keeps you tied to your victim -- no longterm solution). The Sense Motive angle is a problem too, though if you can conceal the magic aura at least it will keep them guessing as to what the problem is/was. (Also, modify memory wouldn't necessarily allow for Sense Motive, though most of the Enchantments would....)
kjenks 06-10-05, 09:29 AM	So what's a devious soul to do? This is where you need a figrurehead, a patsy, a fall guy. Sure, you're the enchanter, but you're actually the power behind the throne. The guy on the throne is the one getting all of the blame when the scheme gets detected. He's carrying scrolls of all of those enchantment spells and his memory says he's the one who has been doing all of this devious stuff. You also need to control access to your marks. Don't let anybody get close enough to them with Detect spells or Sense Motive to figure out what's going on. They should never appear in public unless the situation is carefully controlled. They should only give prepared speeches to a well-vetted audience. Generate a standard policy of aloofness, where your charmed officials only communicate with each other via memo and official writs and stuff. Blame all of your secrecy on "security requirements." You'll probably need some un-Charmed allies. Be generous with your allies, especially when you're spending other people's money. Give your allies loads of good reasons to keep your figurehead (and you) in power, even if they figure out the scheme. And when the house of cards comes crashing down and your figurehead is "discovered" you change your disguise and move on to the next puppet monarch. Don't get too attached to your cozy surroundings because these things do change. Make sure you squirrel away enough resources to get on with your next gig. In fact, you should use your position of power in the puppet monarch to set up your next one or two gigs before the inevitable fall. Arrange a royal wedding or two. Have your puppet monarch negotiate and sign treaties with other monarchs -- and insinuate your charming presence into other courts, by allies and stooges. But avoiding detection of your role in these schemes is very important to your career as a political manipulator. Always have someone else set up and ready to take the blame. Always have an escape plan. And a back-up escape plan. And you should have a long, profitable career as a charming schemer.
NeueRegel 06-10-05, 09:49 AM	ATTN: Kjenks I'm with the Houston office of the NSA/CIA. We would be very happy to tender your resume, if you are seeking gainful employment at this time. Please have your people contact our people. You know where.
Thelon Fairblade 06-10-05, 11:17 AM	Kjenks has some pretty effective advice, even if *not* using magic. Back to the magic question, ask the GM if you can research a higher level of the spell that doesn't detect under "magic". Like "Hidden Charm Person", level 2 -- not revealed by Detect Magic, but is revealed by arcane sight, true sight, or detect charm. "Invisible Charm Person", level 3 -- someone using arcane sight, true sight, or detect charm must contest with your caster level (i.e. DC 10 + your caster level) to detect the charm.