TOPIC: Can you target an NPC (lookin at you Salon)

So I had an idea at GHC, asked a few people but never got an official answer so I thought it would be fun to ask here. If an NPC, say Sage Salon, has an ability/spell they can only use a fixed number of times, say arcane sight, could you use an ability like Restore Spell or Restore Power to give the NPC another casting?

Now Granted restore spell says it targets a Player, so based on that I would assume technically no, Non-Player-Character would be out, but I would argue that the rule of cool should apply since something like a 3rd arcane sight is less powerful then a second Lightning Strom in room 7.

Besides, at this point I feel like we've run with Salon Long enough to consider them part of the party

Picc wrote: So I had an idea at GHC, asked a few people but never got an official answer so I thought it would be fun to ask here. If an NPC, say Sage Salon, has an ability/spell they can only use a fixed number of times, say arcane sight, could you use an ability like Restore Spell or Restore Power to give the NPC another casting?

Now Granted restore spell says it targets a Player, so based on that I would assume technically no, Non-Player-Character would be out, but I would argue that the rule of cool should apply since something like a 3rd arcane sight is less powerful then a second Lightning Strom in room 7.

Besides, at this point I feel like we've run with Salon Long enough to consider them part of the party

Hmmm, on one of my runs the Sage with both a player in the party and our NPC. But its not like we needed more than one casting of the spell.

Let me start by saying I am in no way the official decision maker.
With That said having been a DM for a while now, and now being an AC. I personally do not see a problem with it. We stress to or DM’s/NPC’s that creativity should be rewarded.
If you are willing to give up the use of the ability, then why not. It makes sense for gameplay reasons and is a creative way to use the ability if the party needs just a bit more help.

During a run the group I was in tried to no avail.

If this was the Knights Of The Dinner Table gang the NPCs would be killed off by the Knights because... you know?... free EPs.

Speaking as a close friend of Selan/Salon from early on, I'm sure he'd be flattered by your offer to restore a use of Arcane Sight, but I think he might worry that you'd need that ability later for something else.

Andrew wrote: Speaking as a close friend of Selan/Salon from early on, I'm sure he'd be flattered by your offer to restore a use of Arcane Sight, but I think he might worry that you'd need that ability later for something else.

That honestly sounds like a terrible justification for not letting this interaction happen. Whether or not the spell should be saved for later should be up to the party/character.

Phillip Evans wrote: Let me start by saying I am in no way the official decision maker.
With That said having been a DM for a while now, and now being an AC. I personally do not see a problem with it. We stress to or DM’s/NPC’s that creativity should be rewarded.
If you are willing to give up the use of the ability, then why not. It makes sense for gameplay reasons and is a creative way to use the ability if the party needs just a bit more help.

^^^THIS is why Phil is one of my favorite DMs.

We protected our NPC from Lamia taking control of her by first commenting on her beauty and remarking that a piece of jewelry would look splendid on her delicate ears. We then presented her with an Earcuff of Retort in an earlier room. When Lamia tried to take control, she pointed out that she was wearing a beautiful piece of jewelry on her ear.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I'm not saying he would put his foot down and not let it happen, but it would most likely end up being an "Are you sure?" type of moment.

Andrew wrote: Sorry for the misunderstanding, I'm not saying he would put his foot down and not let it happen, but it would most likely end up being an "Are you sure?" type of moment.

I agree that the first approach from the NPC court would be a gentle push back. “Are you sure” because - the NPC kind of has the same level of gameplay if they get or don’t get a spell - it doesn’t change the game for the actor. But it does deny the player a spell, and it would feel really bad for me (an NPC/DM) to just let a character waste a spell without first ensuring that they know what they are doing.

Given the personality of Selan specifically, I would say that they would be more concerned about the adventurers having spell slots because you’re supposed to be doing all the hard, hitting things with swords stuff. And one less spell for the mage means one less person to protect this humble sage.

As a room DM I would always rule in favour of “fun” - generally if it’s funny, fun for the room, and mostly harmless I will allow it. I encourage my rooms to have fun with the game. But since we try to have a stable “experience” for all, I wouldn’t fault any DM or NPC for sticking to the rules.

Andrew wrote: Speaking as a close friend of Selan/Salon from early on.

I see what you did there.