Is casting a spell considered a threatening action?

[Mirror]

As thread title. In respect to Charming Gaze.

 

[xigbar]

Relax with all the details, you're overwhelming here.

 

[Mirror]

huh?

 

[Jack Simth]

As thread title. In respect to Charming Gaze.

Let's see if I can guess...

If it's a gaze like the Spirit Naga has, then it is as Charm Person. It doesn't give a clear definition of what constitutes "threatened or attacked". So... let's look at something similar. Maybe the Fascinated condition:

A fascinated creature is entranced by a supernatural or spell effect. The creature stands or sits quietly, taking no actions other than to pay attention to the fascinating effect, for as long as the effect lasts. It takes a -4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Listen and Spot checks. Any potential threat, such as a hostile creature approaching, allows the fascinated creature a new saving throw against the fascinating effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a ranged weapon at the fascinated creature, automatically breaks the effect. A fascinated creature’s ally may shake it free of the spell as a standard action.

(emphasis added)

Under the "find the most similar thing" guideline, yes, casting a spell is threatening.

 

[Mirror]

Oh wait, I get it the confusion. Charming Gaze, is the Su ability of a Half Vampire . Its fuctionally identical to Charm Person, so basically, the question I'm asking is, does casting a spell break Charm Person.

 

[Madeiner]

Well, i'd say no, especially since the charmed person would regard the caster as friendly, and would not see him as "threatening".

That said, if you point your finger at the target saying "i'm disintegrating you now!" then casting the spell should break the charme.

 

[Wyvernhand]

Would it break Invisibility? Thats a pretty good litmus test. If so, it could probably be classified as an attack. Casting Haste on your allies? Not an attack. Summoning a creature? Not an attack. Fireballing the bajebus out of someone, polymorphing them into a meerkat, or slaying them outright with a flick of your middle finger? Definitely an attack.

 

[Vegepygmy]

...so basically, the question I'm asking is, does casting a spell break Charm Person.

I would say it does IF (1) the charmed creature can identify the spell being cast, (2) the spell is harmful, and (3) the charmed creature somehow knows that it is the target of said harmful spell.

Otherwise, no.

 

[Mirror]

1. the target is a rogue. I seriously doubt it can identify spells.
2. The spell COULD be harmful, but it isn't immediate. Its Mark of Justice.
3. The rogue knows its the target, since I told it to sit there while our cleric "helps" it by giving it a magical tattoo that is pretty much invisible and would be cool. I rolled a 40 on that charisma check. I didn't lie, it IS meant to help it, by giving the rogue some outside help to prevent it from stealing. I only charmed the rogue so it would quit fighting us while we take him to jail for robbing people in the first place.



What? I'm a Knight. The Greater Stick of Up Assery was part of the LG package.

 

[frankthedm]

Oh wait, I get it the confusion. Charming Gaze, is the Su ability of a Half Vampire . Its functionally identical to Charm Person, so basically, the question I'm asking is, does casting a spell break Charm Person.

Any act by you or your apparent allies that threatens the charmed person breaks the spell.

Charmed characters themselves has to be threatened by the act, not merely have the act be potentially threatening. If Fascinate's litmus test was used by charm person, a charmed ally fighting by one's side would be impossible.

Also Charming Gaze has no verbal or somatic components. Unless a SLA has a visually obvious effect, all you know was the user looked at you for a few seconds and dropped his guard [ drew an AOO ]. After the effect goes off, if you make the save, this kicks in for what it is worth...

Succeeding on a Saving Throw
A creature that successfully saves against a spell that has no obvious physical effects feels a hostile force or a tingle, but cannot deduce the exact nature of the attack. Likewise, if a creature’s saving throw succeeds against a targeted spell you sense that the spell has failed. You do not sense when creatures succeed on saves against effect and area spells.