Love Spell

[Eternalknight]

A spell for critique:

LOVE SPELL

a 3rd edition conversion of a spell originally found in The Glory of Rome campaign sourcebook.

Enchantment (Charm) [Mind-Affecting]

Level: Brd 3, Sor/Wiz 3

Components: V, S, M

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: Close (25ft +5ft/2 levels)

Target: One person

Duration: Permanent (D)

Saving Throw: Will negates

Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell is identical to charm person with two differences. First, the caster may specify that the target becomes enthralled with a member of the opposite sex. This may be a specific person, but it must be someone the caster knows. Second, the target also has a strong desire for romance with that person, in addition to the charm person effects. Material component: Something belonging to the target and the spell's object of desire.

 

[Stormprince]

*hrms* I dunno...love spells can always be tricky...

Firstly, a 3rd-level permanent spell is tricky...I mean, a spell like this could totally throw your campaign into an uproar if one of the players happens to use it upon a major NPC.... what's to stop the player from casting 'LOVE' on the ruler of a powerful kingdom, and instead of going out adventuring to stop the goblin threat, for example, she merely asks her 'beloved' to send a large troop of soldiers out to destroy the goblin horde.

Conversely, you could have some pretty p'o'ed players if you have a villain (who 'desires' one of the PCs) cast this spell on a player, and then they have to turn against their group.. etc, etc.

Love influencing magic is extremely tricky... works great as a plot device, but can definately wreck havoc if used too often.

*chuckles* Of course, there is always the drawback of Love - stalkers, overly 'protective' and 'concerned' loved ones...

*shrugs* In the end, I guess, it's completely up to you... but this spell could become a landmine if you don't keep a close watch on it.

- Christopher

(You know, there was a lot more I was going to say on this subject, but for the life of me, I can't remember it ; I must be more tired than I originally thought I was)

 

[Eternalknight]

Hmmmm good points, although I think a creative DM could actually use the spell to their advantage (your stalkers example, for instance). The spell was a direct copy from The Glory of Rome book.

 

[Stormprince]

*grins crookedly* If I were going to use the spell, I'd probably give it to a wicked NPC-type, who tormented the players by constantly causing their loved ones to fall for the NPC, thus surrounding her(or him)self with a veritable wall of defence should the PCs ever come to smite them Just make it a signature spell, or make the component something more difficult to get (such as tears from a siren, the heart's blood of a silver dove, etc) if you're gonna let your players get ahold of it

 

[Al]

Chained Love could be amusing

But seriously, it's too powerful. Permanent (D) is phenomenally powerful for a 3rd level spell. It may not be as good as Thrall, but that's 9th level TELEPATHY power (which are better at that sort of thing that Enchantments generally) and costs 5000XP.

And as Stormprince points out, such a spell could throw the whole campaign world into serious problems (Ok, so a lot of enchantments can do this).

Consider removing the Permanent (to say, 1 day/level) and raising the level to 4th/5th: it seems only marginally weaker than Dominate, if at all, and this would raise it to similar level and slice the duration.

 

[drowdude]

Drop the duration to 1/day per level and it would be reasonably balanced as a 3rd level spell I think.

Your 'Permanent (D)' version is closer to 6th level in power than 3rd

 

[Cheiromancer]

I think a love spell should be reciprocal; both parties should be charmed by the other. If one makes the save, it lasts 1 day per level. Otherwise, it is permanent.

This version would probably a 6th level spell, though. Certainly not a 3rd.

 

[Eternalknight]

Ok, so how about this: (changes are bold)

LOVE SPELL

a 3rd edition conversion of a spell originally found in The Glory of Rome campaign sourcebook.

Enchantment (Charm) [Mind-Affecting]

Level: Brd 3, Sor/Wiz 3

Components: V, S, M

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: Close (25ft +5ft/2 levels)

Target: One person

Duration: 1 day/level (D)

Saving Throw: Will negates

Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell is identical to charm person with two differences. First, the caster may specify that the target becomes enthralled with a member of the opposite sex. This may be a specific person, but it must be someone the caster knows. Second, the target also has a strong desire for romance with that person, in addition to the charm person effects. Material component: Something belonging to the target and the spell's object of desire,
both of which must mean a great deal to each person.

 

[kolvar]

Looks nice. May we use it for the Guide to Unlawful Carnal Knowledge? (although I think, we got something similar)

 

[Eternalknight]

Go for it.