Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 pukunui Dec 19, 2014 15:24:49	How are you guys finding the friends cantrip in actual play? There's one PC in my game who has it, although he hasn't used it much lately. I'm finding it a little awkward to adjudicate sometimes, especially when the player wants to use it but I'm not convinced his action calls for a roll of any kind.   I think part of my issue is in the mechanics. The spell "targets" the user, granting them advantage on Charisma checks made towards one other creature. The implication, however, is that the spell targets that other creature, magically influencing their "mood", which automatically causes them to become hostile towards the user once the effect stops.   Has anyone else had any issues with this spell? Anyone got any advice on adjudicating it?
#2 mellored Dec 19, 2014 17:34:50	You get advantage for a minute, then they get angry because they where magically influcenced.
#3 iserith Dec 19, 2014 18:18:26	DM: The duke's servants are asking to see invitations before admitting anyone into the masquerade ball. You're next in line and they have just formally announced the guests in front of you who enter to the sounds of horns. "Your invitations, please," asks the well-dressed servant indifferently. Bard (who doesn't have an invitation): I can't afford to fail getting into this place - I have to personally warn the queen about the plot against her. So I smear some Dalamar-purple makeup across my lips as I cast a friends cantrip. "My good man, I'm afraid I have misplaced my invitation." DM: "The duke's orders were quite explicit on account of the queen being in attendance. I cannot admit anyone without an invitation." Bard:  "But surely you know a man in my position was invited to such an event! I'm the queen's favored musician after all! I shouldn't need an invitation!" I show him my lyre. (Get it? Liar?) DM: It sounds like you're making a Charisma (Deception) check with advantage. Because you're asking the servant to take a risk on your behalf, the DC is 20. If you succeed, he will allow you to enter. If you fail, he'll allow you to enter but only if you tip him generously on the sly. Either way, in a minute or so, he's going to know he was duped with magic and will alert the guards. Bard: No worries because once inside, I'm going to dip into a privy and cast disguise self anyway. *rolls*   *     *     *     *     *   Wizard: I frantically pound on the door to the cottage. DM: You hear an argument on other side of the door about who it could be calling at this unwholesome hour. Common Tom answers. "Well, if it isn't the Hero of Golden Lake here on my doorstep!" he says in a friendly if bleary-eyed fashion. "And in the middle of the night, too. What can I do for you?" Wizard: "I need all of your silver. Werewolves are running rampant and we've nothing that harms them! My comrades and I were just routed from a melee in town square!" DM: Tom looks over his shoulder at his wife, Hilda, who has her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. "That silver's all we got in all the world - it's for our children when blessed Pelor takes us! We can't be parted with it." Wizard: Geez, I just don't have time for this. I smudge some charcoal under my eye and cast a friends spell. "Hilda, I wouldn't ask if it wasn't a desperate situation. We need that silver to melt down and make into weapons we can use to battle this menace. We're good for it - you will be paid back double." DM: It sounds like you're making a Charisma (Persuasion) check. It's a DC 20 because you're asking Hilda to make a major sacrifice (her life savings). If you succeed, she'll give you the silver she has which is enough to craft silver weapons for the fighter and rogue. If you fail, she gives you only enough to make one weapon. Either way, she becomes hostile when she realizes you used your magic on her and tries to ruin your reputation in town until you give her more than the double you offered. Wizard: Sounds good. I need that silver now and I can make it up to her later. *rolls*   (Now it's time to have the werewolves threaten the blacksmith!)
#4 pukunui Dec 19, 2014 18:45:48	Those are some good examples. Thanks Iserith.
#5 Echamil Dec 19, 2014 21:07:09	I like Iserith's examples. It's a shame some DM's don't quite pick up on that.
#6 Ganymede425 Dec 19, 2014 21:25:59	Personally, I liked the good examples of "success with setback."
(Reply to #3) EzechielDantan	iserith wrote:
#8 iserith Dec 20, 2014 6:55:57	pukunui wrote:
#9 Rhenny Dec 21, 2014 9:35:14	I kind of see the friends spell as a quick trick that a kid would pull to distract you.   You might fall for it for a little bit, but once you realize what he's done, your blood boils.   Nobody in my games has used it, but as an at will spell, it could have its uses.   @iserith - Great examples.  I love reading those types of samples of play.
#10 pukunui Dec 21, 2014 10:51:10	Rhenny wrote:
#11 BRJN Dec 30, 2014 10:45:20	Disguise Self + Friends + a quick exit = victim mad at "somebody else" in the tavern. All of the above + high-INT manipulator casting the spells -> victim stalks over to another table, spoiling for a fight. Give the Bard a night off, the entertainment just showed up.