Question for DMs regarding Abyssal Might

[Green Monster]

Last night had a very unpleasant interaction with another player re: Abyssal Might and its spell components. This person thought my character had Abyssal Might's vfx going (it wasn't, it was red Dragonskin + spiderskin because I needed both the fire damage reduction and the hide bonus) and claimed that the spell component of a dwarf baby heart or something is why he was an ass to my char. (although I don't know what killing babies has to do with him calling my char a stupid, promiscuous woman).

Aside from the problem of dude not knowing one vfx from another, there is no mention of baby hearts in the in-game spell description or the wikI. If this spell is supposed to require a murder each time it is cast, shouldn't it SAY SO in the spell description so that those of us who don't have the 3.5 ed rulebook memorized will know? Or, alternately, if spell components like that aren't meant to be a thing here could it just be a general rule that people should keep their PnP rules to themselves and let the rest of us just enjoy the game?

[DM Wisp]

PM sent to player.

In summary:

Roleplaying components and focuses are considered accurate to ones roleplay.
Yes, there are still spells missing their updated descriptions. To be amended soon tm

Be mindful of alignment descriptors in spells however, We are watching you.

[Green Monster]

PM sent to player.

In summary:

Roleplaying components and focuses are considered accurate to ones roleplay.
Yes, there are still spells missing their updated descriptions. To be amended soon tm

Be mindful of alignment descriptors in spells however, We are watching you.

Alignment descriptors don't cut it, though. There's different degrees of evil Would i summon the devil to win the lottery? Absolutely. Would I murder a baby to do it? Definitely not.

As to this particular spell, are we really supposed to rp that every single time anyone casts it they have a fresh dead baby heart? Really? We're supposed to rp that pcs go on murder sprees and never get stopped? Seriously?

[renshouj]

Alignment descriptors don't cut it, though. There's different degrees of evil Would i summon the devil to win the lottery? Absolutely. Would I murder a baby to do it? Definitely not.

As to this particular spell, are we really supposed to rp that every single time anyone casts it they have a fresh dead baby heart? Really? We're supposed to rp that pcs go on murder sprees and never get stopped? Seriously?

An evil spell is evil, yes there are degrees of it, and 100% agree that the description should be rectified so that its clearer to RP.
But you don't need to go on murder sprees, you can easily say you have bought the component in a black market. Roaringshore, soubar and any UD settlement - but especially Sshamath - could have it.

[DM Wisp]

There is a degree of untold specifics where one is supposed to acquire any of ones spell components, it is assumed you have them however upon succesful casting. And you bring your own story towards reasonable possibilties.

There certainly is not much of a market for spell components among the player base, with exception of resurrection needing diamonds. One of few where you actually use up your components.

[DM Honk]

Hello there Green Monster!

Just jumping in the conversation since there is potential here to confuse two separate issues, neither of which should be discussed on the "Dungeon Master Realms" forum. Nothing bad, just trying to put some clarity and order.

The first issue is a about the specific episode between yourself and the other player, the grievance, so to speak. We deal with grievance between players on private messages.

The second issue is about the lack of official ruling about spell components and how those should be taken into account when playing on BGTSCC, a perfectly valid point that we hope to address soon with an official rule. It is our intention to clarify this both in our rules and in the spell descriptions themselves. If you wish to raise discussion about this that is perfectly fine, the forum for suggestions and discussions would be perfect for that kind of conversation.

So I'd like to ask to continue this conversation on a separate thread, as explained above, anything specific to the grievance between yourself and the other player will be addressed privately.

Thank you!

[Steve]

https://dndtools.net/spells/book-of-vil ... ight--129/

Abyssal Might
(Book of Vile Darkness)

Conjuration (Summoning) [Evil]
Level: Blackguard 3, Demonologist 3, Cleric 4, Sorcerer 4, Wizard 4,
Components: V, S, M, Demon
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Personal
Target: Caster
Duration: 10 minutes/level

The caster summons evil energy from the Abyss and imbues himself with its might.
The caster gains a +2 enhancement bonus to Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity.
The caster's existing spell resistance improves by +2.
Material Component: The heart of a dwarf child.

[DM Honk]

So I'd like to ask to continue this conversation on a separate thread, as explained above, anything specific to the grievance between yourself and the other player will be addressed privately.

Locking the thread, just to reiterate the above. This is not the subforum for this kind of discussion.