D&D 5E How do you restrain a captured spellcaster?

[Charles Rampant]

In Waterdeep, if the City Guard feel that a troublemaker is too dangerous to bring in alive, they opt to kill him or her and then use Speak with Dead spells to conduct the interrogation. If it transpires that they got the wrong person, and the now-deceased suspect was innocent all along, they will have resurrection cast at the city's expense.

Just another option, if you want to simultaneously go hardcore on the player and let them explore the afterlife a little. It does require the city to have access to powerful magics though, which might not suit your vision.

 

[Ath'kethin]

As a longer-term solution, keep the spellcaster uncomfortable as well, preventing long rests and the recovery of spell slots.

 

[Caliburn101]

Why would anyone take chances when the effects and abilities of spellcasters are well known...

Restrain; take spell components/focus; gag; hood; fit 'caster manacles' which include finger restraints and hog tie.

Ain't no caster getting out of that...

... and have all guards worth their salt trained in such techniques.

 

[Plaguescarred]

Covering a spellcaster's body head to toes in a blanket and tieing him up like a rosebif should restrain him just fine


Yan
D&D Playtester

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Manacles that incorporate heavy braced gloves or similar would prevent any sort of somatic component. Combined with the gag and hood it should prevent most spellcasting. Presumable they will need to remove the gag and hood at some points to allow questioning of the suspect, but guards with clubs and an action readied to is probably the best you can do to prevent verbal-only spells.

In Waterdeep, if the City Guard feel that a troublemaker is too dangerous to bring in alive, they opt to kill him or her and then use Speak with Dead spells to conduct the interrogation. If it transpires that they got the wrong person, and the now-deceased suspect was innocent all along, they will have resurrection cast at the city's expense.

Just another option, if you want to simultaneously go hardcore on the player and let them explore the afterlife a little. It does require the city to have access to powerful magics though, which might not suit your vision.

That is an insane level of resources used.

 

[Charles Rampant]

That is an insane level of resources used.

Just Forgotten Realms things.

 

[Morrus]

Mage-Cuffs. They prevent the use of magic, and cause an electric shock if the spell caster tries.

 

[Derren]

Cut off the hands and tongue. If you need to interrogate him gag him instead and the hood is a must have.

 

[Shiroiken]

Binding the hands, and using a blindfold and gag would be fairly common practice for a known spellcaster. Of course, it also depends on how common magic is in the world. In a high magic world, where a high percentage of people can cast spells, this might be standard practice for everyone (just in case).

 

[Horwath]

Also you can invent some "plot" device that works and is not degrading and cruel to captured spellcaster.

I.E. bracelets and chokers of pure iron or cold iron/mithril alloy that prevents all spellcasting.

Some cities might even require this upon entry on all foreigners that do not have sanction to cast spells. Same as weapon carry laws.