An Aboleths enslave ability is the most powerful of its type in the game. However one thing it does not state in the description is if the "victim" is aware they have been enslaved once they escape.
Some spells that create a charm effect do state that the target is aware afterwards they have been charmed.
For the narrative of my game, it would make sense for the NPC's that may be enslaved not to know what happened if they escaped but I also like to play within the structure of what is realistic where rules for something are not defined and don't want my players to feel I "cheated" just to keep my Aboleth hidden a bit longer as the BBEG.
Since it doesn't say that the charmed creatures are aware after it wears off, and it DOES state this for other charming effects, then assume that they aren't aware.
Eh...I'd say its pretty much up to the DM to decide (likely for story purposes rather than mechanical ones). If this happened to a PC, they'd likely become an NPC while enslaved, given the degree of control the aboleth has over its target.
I'd say that they are at least aware of being not under their own control (given that they can communicate back and forth would indicate that the enslaved creature maintains some awareness of their actions, just not control), but they might not be aware that they were specifically under the control of an aboleth
Eh...I'd say its pretty much up to the DM to decide (likely for story purposes rather than mechanical ones). If this happened to a PC, they'd likely become an NPC while enslaved, given the degree of control the aboleth has over its target.
I'd say that they are at least aware of being not under their own control (given that they can communicate back and forth would indicate that the enslaved creature maintains some awareness of their actions, just not control), but they might not be aware that they were specifically under the control of an aboleth
I am specifically looking at NPCs the plan is for the Aboleth to slowly enslave the rulers of a small town, there is every possibility as part of the story some of these will succeed the roll to escape.
In terms of a PC being enslaved they will continue to be played by the player with me directing them in secret as to when to reveal and betray the group.
I had a longer response that I wrote earlier, but there was a glitch with D&D Beyond and the comment got lost. I'll try to summarize...
An Aboleth's statblock never says outright that its victims know they were charmed, but it does mention that the Aboleth and Victim can communicate telepathically. I think an interesting way to play that is that the Aboleth essentially poses as the victim's subconscious... it's not uncommon for people to think to themselves, and a victim might not realize when they're doing something like thinking to themselves, "Okay, Bob, it's time for dinner, what should I get?" that they're actually sending that thought to a powerful otherworldly being who might reply with, "You should kill your neighbor and eat his liver." Once they're cured of the Aboleth's control, if the Aboleth was forcing them to do things wildly outside of their normal routine they would realize there was something really weird about all those thoughts they've been having telling them to pour hot dogs down a well or whatever it is the Aboleth wants them to do, but if it's more subtle with its commands they might not ever realize anything was ever wrong in the first place.
I'm playing a character who's been enslaved by an aboleth and the DM told me after the session. I don't think they know they're slaves, and that's how I and the DM agreed to do it. You can decide what you want to do, though.
An Aboleths enslave ability is the most powerful of its type in the game. However one thing it does not state in the description is if the "victim" is aware they have been enslaved once they escape.
Some spells that create a charm effect do state that the target is aware afterwards they have been charmed.
For the narrative of my game, it would make sense for the NPC's that may be enslaved not to know what happened if they escaped but I also like to play within the structure of what is realistic where rules for something are not defined and don't want my players to feel I "cheated" just to keep my Aboleth hidden a bit longer as the BBEG.
You are the DM; it is really up for you to decide. Talk to them out-of-game, if they could handle it.
Enjoy my magic items, spells, monsters, my race, and a few feats. And GIVE ME FEEDBACK... or else.
Like what I say?
⬐ Just press this little guy right here.
Since it doesn't say that the charmed creatures are aware after it wears off, and it DOES state this for other charming effects, then assume that they aren't aware.
Eh...I'd say its pretty much up to the DM to decide (likely for story purposes rather than mechanical ones). If this happened to a PC, they'd likely become an NPC while enslaved, given the degree of control the aboleth has over its target.
I'd say that they are at least aware of being not under their own control (given that they can communicate back and forth would indicate that the enslaved creature maintains some awareness of their actions, just not control), but they might not be aware that they were specifically under the control of an aboleth
I am specifically looking at NPCs the plan is for the Aboleth to slowly enslave the rulers of a small town, there is every possibility as part of the story some of these will succeed the roll to escape.
In terms of a PC being enslaved they will continue to be played by the player with me directing them in secret as to when to reveal and betray the group.
I had a longer response that I wrote earlier, but there was a glitch with D&D Beyond and the comment got lost. I'll try to summarize...
An Aboleth's statblock never says outright that its victims know they were charmed, but it does mention that the Aboleth and Victim can communicate telepathically. I think an interesting way to play that is that the Aboleth essentially poses as the victim's subconscious... it's not uncommon for people to think to themselves, and a victim might not realize when they're doing something like thinking to themselves, "Okay, Bob, it's time for dinner, what should I get?" that they're actually sending that thought to a powerful otherworldly being who might reply with, "You should kill your neighbor and eat his liver." Once they're cured of the Aboleth's control, if the Aboleth was forcing them to do things wildly outside of their normal routine they would realize there was something really weird about all those thoughts they've been having telling them to pour hot dogs down a well or whatever it is the Aboleth wants them to do, but if it's more subtle with its commands they might not ever realize anything was ever wrong in the first place.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
I'm playing a character who's been enslaved by an aboleth and the DM told me after the session. I don't think they know they're slaves, and that's how I and the DM agreed to do it. You can decide what you want to do, though.
I have a weird sense of humor.
I also make maps.(That's a link)
Ok cool this lines up with how I was planning to play things :).