So i've heard many argue Mass Suggestion must be a "reasonable request" and people give so many examples of unreasonable requests, like asking enemies to sit down for 8 hours is unreasonable to some, or making them crawl around is unreasonable, etc.
My thought is, basically anything can be a reasonable request as the spell gives clear examples of unreasonable requests " The suggestion must be worded in such a manner as to make the course of action sound reasonable. Asking the creature to stab itself, throw itself onto a spear, immolate itself, or do some other obviously harmful act automatically negates the effect of the spell."
To me, this says the only unreasonable request you could make would be causing a creature to do direct harm to itself. Why else would they only give those examples of unreasonable requests? I know its up to DM to decide, but to me it seems like I could suggest the creatures all become our body guards until we exit the cave for example. This is not direct harm as they may not end up fighting anyone or they could kill an enemy instantly before getting any damage done to them.
This request also seems reasonable as the spell stipulates it does not break unless "you or any of your companions damage a creature affected by this spell".
Is my interpretation too powerful and the spell is meant to be weaker?
Well it is said that Suggestion can be a very powerful spell for sure, especially mass suggestion. To me it would completely depends on the creature it is used on and the circumstances.
The definition of Reasonable states: "Having sound judgement; fair and sensible" and "as much as is appropriate or fair; moderate."
For example: You're buying Plate Armor from a smith that he handcrafted himself and sells it for the standard price of 1500gp and someone were to suggest him to sell it to them for 100gp. Doesn't really sound fair, sensible or appropriate to the smith I'd say. But perhaps if he didn't crafted it himself, found some rusted covered Armor on a dead guy and placed a price of 1500gp on it knowing it's not worth more then 50gp. Suddenly the suggestion is sounds pretty fair and appropriate.
In the case of suggesting creatures to be your body guards, maybe the creatures notice you are way weaker then them and they think its reasonable of you to ask for them to protect you. But asking them to make sure they take all the hits so they might die and you don't have to worry about it, might be less fair to them. Using the correct words is what makes this spell either shit or the goat.
But basically, Suggestion comes down to trying to persuade your DM to why it would be considered reasonable. If they disagree then well shit, if they don't then good times.
Not sure if this helped but I hope it did!
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Rule lawyer by nature, Homebrewer by heart.
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So i've heard many argue Mass Suggestion must be a "reasonable request" and people give so many examples of unreasonable requests, like asking enemies to sit down for 8 hours is unreasonable to some, or making them crawl around is unreasonable, etc.
My thought is, basically anything can be a reasonable request as the spell gives clear examples of unreasonable requests " The suggestion must be worded in such a manner as to make the course of action sound reasonable. Asking the creature to stab itself, throw itself onto a spear, immolate itself, or do some other obviously harmful act automatically negates the effect of the spell."
To me, this says the only unreasonable request you could make would be causing a creature to do direct harm to itself. Why else would they only give those examples of unreasonable requests? I know its up to DM to decide, but to me it seems like I could suggest the creatures all become our body guards until we exit the cave for example. This is not direct harm as they may not end up fighting anyone or they could kill an enemy instantly before getting any damage done to them.
This request also seems reasonable as the spell stipulates it does not break unless "you or any of your companions damage a creature affected by this spell".
Is my interpretation too powerful and the spell is meant to be weaker?
Well it is said that Suggestion can be a very powerful spell for sure, especially mass suggestion. To me it would completely depends on the creature it is used on and the circumstances.
The definition of Reasonable states: "Having sound judgement; fair and sensible" and "as much as is appropriate or fair; moderate."
For example: You're buying Plate Armor from a smith that he handcrafted himself and sells it for the standard price of 1500gp and someone were to suggest him to sell it to them for 100gp. Doesn't really sound fair, sensible or appropriate to the smith I'd say. But perhaps if he didn't crafted it himself, found some rusted covered Armor on a dead guy and placed a price of 1500gp on it knowing it's not worth more then 50gp. Suddenly the suggestion is sounds pretty fair and appropriate.
In the case of suggesting creatures to be your body guards, maybe the creatures notice you are way weaker then them and they think its reasonable of you to ask for them to protect you. But asking them to make sure they take all the hits so they might die and you don't have to worry about it, might be less fair to them. Using the correct words is what makes this spell either shit or the goat.
But basically, Suggestion comes down to trying to persuade your DM to why it would be considered reasonable. If they disagree then well shit, if they don't then good times.
Not sure if this helped but I hope it did!
Rule lawyer by nature, Homebrewer by heart.