djb@cbosgd.UUCP (David J. Bryant) (04/17/84)
Well, Ulrich the Lionhearted, one of our local clerics, found an
interesting single word command. Seems he was infatuated with a female
fighter in the party, and once, after a battle, offered to provide her
with some necessary healing. Repairing to a secluded spot (so as not
to commercialize solemn clerical rituals, of course) the cleric
proceeded with the healing, but secretly informed me (the DM) that he
was casting 'command', and that the command word was "yield". Seemed
to me like a reasonable choice given the circumstances, so I allowed the
command to stand as spoken. I suspect, given the circumstances, this
same command might have different connotations, but should likely be
unambiguous even then.
EPILOGUE: As it would happen, the female fighter failed her saving throw
and was preparing to yield to the command. Unfortunately for Ulrich
another cleric in the party (the prankster Ruvadis, somewhat more the
chaotic, and a worshipper of Dionysius, to boot) had secretly cast
glyph of warding on poor, unsuspecting Ulrich's trousers. The surprise
explosion, coupled with some rather embarrasing damage spoiled the
whole affair and left Ulrich in need of some serious healing himself.
(This was one occasion in which I was glad D&D doesn't use a
hit/location system.) During the confusion, the female fighter came to
her senses and ran quickly away. Needless to say, she never trusted
Ulrich again, although he continued to pine away openly for her
favors. Party members who found out about the event (including the
rather ribald Ruvadis) taunted Ulrich everafter by calling him "the
Loinhearted".
* *
David Bryant
AT&T Bell Laboratories
* Columbus, OH 43213
* (614) 860-4516
* .
: djb@cbosgd.UUCP
cbosgd!djb@Berkeley.ARPA
* *