Spell Compendium

[Ophidimancer]

Name: Zone of Truth
Type: Spirit Evocation, Block
Power: 5 shifts - 3 for block, 2 to effect the entire zone
Duration: 1 exchange
Area: One zone
Effect: spell creates a block against Deceit that encompasses the entire zone.

Oh, I like this.  Very creative.  I can just see someone using a single target version of this shout in a commanding voice, "VERITAS!"

[Tush Hog]

Oh, I like this.  Very creative.  I can just see someone using a single target version of this shout in a commanding voice, "VERITAS!"

And the single target version can really put the heat on a liar.

[EmirikolTheChaotic]

Name: Zone of Truth
Type: Spirit Evocation, Block
Power: 5 shifts - 3 for block, 2 to effect the entire zone
Duration: 1 exchange
Area: One zone
Effect: spell creates a block against Deceit that encompasses the entire zone.

While this is a great idea, isn't it perhaps a bit too close to or even over the line of the 4th Law?

[Tush Hog]

While this is a great idea, isn't it perhaps a bit too close to or even over the line of the 4th Law?

Nah, I don't think so. This could be a very non invasive way to detect lies. Now if you were invading someone's thoughts and ripping the info from their minds, I would agree with you.

[EmirikolTheChaotic]

Now if you were invading someone's thoughts and ripping the info from their minds, I would agree with you.

It seems like a limited type of mind control to me.

I'd REALLY like to use something like this in our upcoming game, and I'd like to have an armload of justifications to bring to the GM.

[EmirikolTheChaotic]

I really like spells that act as blocks vs. skills.

Name: Curse of the Leaden Foot
Type: Earth Evocation, Offensive Block
Power: 6 Shifts, 5 Power, +1 Duration
Duration: 2 Exchanges
Opposed by: Might
Effect: The gravity below the target increases to the point that they must struggle mightily in order to move. Block vs. Athletics.

[Tush Hog]

It seems like a limited type of mind control to me.

I'd REALLY like to use something like this in our upcoming game, and I'd like to have an armload of justifications to bring to the GM.

Well, with a block you're not forcing someone to tell you the truth - you're just making it extremely difficult form them to pull the wool over your eyes. It would be hard for them to tell you a lie that you can't detect.

[Tush Hog]

I really like spells that act as blocks vs. skills.

Name: Curse of the Leaden Foot
Type: Earth Evocation, Offensive Block
Power: 6 Shifts, 5 Power, +1 Duration
Duration: 2 Exchanges
Opposed by: Might
Effect: The gravity below the target increases to the point that they must struggle mightily in order to move. Block vs. Athletics.

Toying with gravity can lead to lots of cool stuff 

[GruffAndTumble]

Nah, I don't think so. This could be a very non invasive way to detect lies. Now if you were invading someone's thoughts and ripping the info from their minds, I would agree with you.

Fourth, not third. Reading minds is the third law. This definitely falls under the Fourth, in my opinion--Never Enthrall Another. You are forcing them to not lie, which inhibits their free will.

Anyways, my contributions to this thread will be the rotes of my Changeling Sorcerer, complete with Canis Latinicus command phrases.

Emergency Veil: Hides the caster with four shifts of power. Spirit Block
“…Obscuras…”
Murmuring Winds: Places a sticky aspect on the scene of “Confusing Noises.” Air Manuever.
“Tumultus!”
Wind Lance: Single target attack with Weapon: 6 using Air
“Tempestos!”
Windstorm: Zone attack with Weapon: 4 using Air
“Tempestos Aethrian!”
Magnetic Grab: Attempts to divest an opponent of a metal weapon, 4 shift effect opposed with Guns or Weapons (as appropriate), Earth Maneuver
“Ferros Extris!”

[Tush Hog]

Fourth, not third. Reading minds is the third law. This definitely falls under the Fourth, in my opinion--Never Enthrall Another. You are forcing them to not lie, which inhibits their free will.

Again, I would argue that you aren't forcing someone to tell the truth with a Block. You are making it difficult for them to tell a lie you can't detect. Not mind control at all in my opinion.

[Jaxom Faux]

Again, I would argue that you aren't forcing someone to tell the truth with a Block. You are making it difficult for them to tell a lie you can't detect. Not mind control at all in my opinion.

forcing somone to do anything is clearly 4th law.

however i remember reading somewhere in the book that wizards amping their empathy to "lie detect" people is perfectly acceptable and typically used.

[Mindflayer94]

Can't spells attack the social stress track? For example:

Unsettling Stare
Spirit Evocation, attack
6 Shifts
This spell undermines the target's self confidence, attacks the social stress track.

[CableRouter]

Can't spells attack the social stress track? For example:

Unsettling Stare
Spirit Evocation, attack
6 Shifts
This spell undermines the target's self confidence, attacks the social stress track.

That's a clear Fourth Law violation "...any effort made to change the natural inclinations, choices, and behaviors of another person."

If you want a clean way to use magic for a social attack, use it as a sticky maneuver to affect your target in some physical manner.  Tag it for a +2 on a roll and invoke it repeatedly with fate points; the GM is likely to self-compel it too if you're clever enough.  For example, it would be really hard to take a gangster's threats seriously after you turn his suit into a clown costume.

[Mindflayer94]

That's a clear Fourth Law violation "...any effort made to change the natural inclinations, choices, and behaviors of another person."

Yeah, I'm quite aware it's a 4th law violation, I'm just wondering if it's against some obscure rule I missed in YS, that says you can't attack the social stress track.

[Mitchell Powers]

Name: Zone of Truth
Type: Spirit Evocation, Block
Power: 5 shifts - 3 for block, 2 to effect the entire zone
Duration: 1 exchange
Area: One zone
Effect: spell creates a block against Deceit that encompasses the entire zone.

As written it would violate the laws.
But....you could avoid that I think if you altered it to instead monitor their vital signs and instead give you
a bonus to detect deceit. Turn it into a 'Magical Lie Detector' instead.

Just my $0.02