Weird spell idea led to debate about the laws of magic...

[Richard_Chilton]

So someone has decided to make a "slapped in the face" spell.  Basically, a loud slapping noise that gives the tag "palm print on face" - something that can be tagged for social rather that physical situations (at least around people who don't know that the palm print isn't the result of a slap).  Which led to a discussion on how to do it.

An attack probably wouldn't work as it would result in a bit of stress - who would take a minor consequence over something like? Which of course means Thaumaturgy... But if it isn't an attack then is the palm print being shape shifted in place? Or can Thaumaturgy just slap a consequence on someone without landing an attack or shape shifting?

Richard

[HobbitGuy1420]

Why not just run it as a maneuver?  Evocation can perform maneuvers.

[JosephKell]

1.  I think for such a thing to be useful in a social setting the target needs to know (or at least strongly suspect) you did it.  To do a more spooky thing to make the person paranoid, you could just do multiple things (like moving their coffee mug, opening things they just closed, and a bunch of other things while their back is turned).

2.  It's a maneuver that applies the aspect "You Just Got Slapped!" on the target.  But you said it makes a loud clapping (slapping) sound and impacts the person's face like they just got slapped.  So it doesn't seem subtle.

3.  Any aspect can be tagged for any purpose that makes sense.

Let's say in one scene your character got jumped in an alley and two thugs end up busting your leg (moderate consequence).  The big boss that ordered the hit could invoke the consequence in a social setting to something about your incompetence or getting too old.

[Archmage_Cowl]

I would do it like this.

Slap in the face
Type: Air evocation Manuever
Range: Single target
Power: 4 shifts
Control: discipline plus any appropriate bonus's.
Effect: Places the aspect "Red Palm Print" on the opponent which is sticky for 1 extra round. The aspect is usually tagged for social effects. Target usually defends with athletics (to dodge the slapping) though other defense's may be aplicable (such as endurance to resist it.)
Variations: Could give more shifts to make it last longer.

If you did it with thaumaturgy it would look maybe something more like this

Really Hard Slap
Type: Transformation and Disruption
Range: Single Target
Power: 26 (5 for best endurance+5 for best roll plus 1+5 for another tag+5 for another tag+6 to make the duration several days)
Effect: Places the Aspect "Really Red Palm Print" on the target, which can be tagged 3 times for free, and lasts for several days. Target defends with endurance.
Variations: less power for weaker opponents. Or more power for it to last longer. More dangerous version would likely inflict consequences.

[Richard_Chilton]

Thanks for the help!

As for the social aspects, picture being in a bar, hearing a slap, turning and seeing a man with a palm print on his face.  It's an embarrassing situation.

Richard

[MijRai]

You could also run it as a veil. You veil a tiny bit of their face and attach it. Make a sound with it.

[Richard_Chilton]

Talked with the person again - and learned the inspiration came from a book.  Somehow I got the wrong impression of how it would be used.

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My wounded head felt like Lara had split it open, and I’d have a hand-shaped bruise on my cheek, but I wasn’t going to sit there moaning about getting slapped by a girl.

Richard