Slow spell discussion

[zlorf]

Hi,
I just wanted to hear how people imagine the slow spells works.
I’m not talking about the rules, but visually and situation not necessary covered by
the RAW, I”ll give some examples.

Enemy slowed :
- are they moving slowly, swinging there weapon in slow motion, but still doing full damage?
- if they jump 10ft do they just jump slowly through the air, but clear the pit because they as the have 18 str
and it’s part there reduced movement
- they fall off a cliff, are they falling slowly?
- is it like walking through malasse, without the malasse?

Hopefully you get my drift.
Cheers
Z

 

[Shiroiken]

I've considered it more like the last one. The world works the same, but they just can't move themselves as fast because of some unseen resistance.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

It's like moving through pancake batter. Mmmmmm, pancakes...

 

[pogre]

Straining through heavy gravity.

 

[jgsugden]

I describe it not as a physical resistance, but a temporal one. This is what the spell says - you alter time around the targets. Time slows for the targets, but the rest of the world moves at normal speed. From the targets perspective, the world speeds up. From the perspective of those not impacted, the targets slow down.

 

[toucanbuzz]

I like jgsudgen's visual, and it's consistent with why a fall wouldn't be different for a slowed target. Since the effect still permits movement and action, it wouldn't be overly dramatic and not "slow motion." Subtle but obvious.

From the target's perspective:
- others have a slight blur as they move
- sounds are sped up, higher pitched
- the ground comes up more quickly than expected if you fall, jump, etc.

From those observing the target:
- slight slowdown to movements, as if the target were fatigued and moving a step slower on every action
- longer, obviously unnatural drawl for words, including spells

Either would give a heads up that there's something wrong. Of course, it's always interesting how a Transmutation spell which generally alters the environment or body would permit a Wisdom (willpower) save to negate, which seems more in line with an Enchantment/Charm type spell, but I digress...

 

[Jacob Lewis]

How long is this supposed to take? Can't we just have a spell discussion at normal speed like everyone else?

 

[FrogReaver]

Hi,
I just wanted to hear how people imagine the slow spells works.
I’m not talking about the rules, but visually and situation not necessary covered by
the RAW, I”ll give some examples.

Enemy slowed :
- are they moving slowly, swinging there weapon in slow motion, but still doing full damage?
- if they jump 10ft do they just jump slowly through the air, but clear the pit because they as the have 18 str
and it’s part there reduced movement
- they fall off a cliff, are they falling slowly?
- is it like walking through malasse, without the malasse?

Hopefully you get my drift.
Cheers
Z

I'd leave it as a sporadic slow. That way I don't have to explain all the physics interactions and can have anything interact normally I want to while still explaining the spells effects. Part of the time they move at normal speed and part at super slow speed. Temporal fluctuating distortion sounds best.

 

[Harzel]

Despite the spell's school (Transmutation) and the 'you alter time' fluff, it seems to me that the WIS save and the spell's actual effects are more easily explained as a mental slow down. With this interpretation, there is no need to try to invent new physics.

 

[BluejayJunior]

You could also describe it as super slow reflexes. You move at the same speed, but it takes a significant time for you body to react to what your mind wants it to do. So you move at same speed, but by the time your legs respond to the impulse and start moving, you've only covered the 15 feet in 6 seconds, instead of 30. Things like that.