Tasha's Uncontrollable Hideous Laughter

Valens · Post by **Valens** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:50 pm

As a DM in the old days, I used to love this spell. I propose this for its usage:

For each success garnered on the spell roll, the target is wracked with laughter. One success may only slightly hinder the target, while several may cause damage each round of combat, and enough may cause an opponent to die from lack of oxygen or burst blood vessels.

Thoughts?

Rhelian · Post by **Rhelian** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:36 pm

How exactly would you propose the spell would work?

For example, makes the target unable to attack or parry, dodge, and so forth for a short while, similar to the hold person/hold monster effect? What do you want to see as the effects of this spell?

Valens · Post by **Valens** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:40 pm

I think the opponent could fight back, actually, unless the successes got to a certain point.

For example, a fellow could be cracking up, but he'd likely still be able to attack. He'd just take a damage penalty.

Incurred penalties for damage and defense, up to but possibly difficult to attain death for the target.

Timaeus · Post by **Timaeus** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 6:15 am

Tasha's would not be complete unless it was combined with Otto's Irresistable Dance. Back in my table top days it was a favorite tactic of a certain sadistic DM I knew.

Timaeus
Warrior of Kelemvor

Lea · Post by **Lea** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:05 pm

I have seen this spell work in another way as well. The person that the spell was cast upon if laughing hard enough would start to drop things that was in thier hands because they could not control the laughing.

Just another thought

Glim · Post by **Glim** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 6:42 pm

Okay, please clear this up for me a bit, but, if they had the spell cast upon them, they would not be able to talk for laughing, would not be able to fight back, would take damage, and would drop things in their inventory?

Valens · Post by **Valens** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 8:06 pm

Essentially. I think that this spell would be devestating if cast by a powerful magus.

Echet · Post by **Echet** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 9:13 pm

Yes, a person would take damage, drop their stuff, be rendered unable to fight back, and would not be able to move.

But it couldn't be that simple. Something like that would have ghastly power on anyone. So, there were several limitations added to it...

First, it's a mind affecting spell, so the mindless things wouldn't be affected. Second, they don't take ungodly damage, just d6 cumulative dmg each round they're affected. As far as not being able to defend themselves, for MUD purposes, it would incur a -2 cumulative penalty to hit and cause stamina damage. Also, people wouldn't lose their inventory, as that stuff is usually stuffed in pockets and whatnot, so they would instead stand a far better chances of dropping whatever is in their hands (like the fighter's sword he's swinging towards you). Lastly, Hideous Laughter doesn't last too horribly long, just long enough to have a substantial effect.

At least... I think that's how it would work. Just two cents, anyhow.

Echet, the necromancer.

Valens · Post by **Valens** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 9:49 pm

That's pretty much what I was proposing. Toned-down MUD-friendly consequences.

Glim · Post by **Glim** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 2:57 am

hmm, there isnt a spell call Tasha's Uncontrollable Hideous Laughter but there is one called Tasha's Hideous Laughter...heres the quote from 3rd ed handbook.

Tasha's Hideous Laughter
Enchantment(Compulsion)
Level: Brd 2, Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range : Close(25ft + 5ft/2levels)
Target: One creature (see text)
Duration: 1d3 rounds
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell afflicts the subject with uncontrollable laughter. It collapses into gales of maniac laughter, falling prone. The subject can take no actions while laughing. After the spell ends, it can act normally.

Creatures with Intelligence scores of 2 or lower are not affected. A creature whose type (such as humanoid or dragon) is different from the caster's receives a +4 bonus on its saving throw, because humor doesnt "translate" well.

Material Component: Tiny tarts that are thrown at the target and a feather that is waved in the air

Tarts? A typo in the book maybe?

So, if the spell was made like this it would be pretty much a prank spell, hehe, I like your thinking.

Valens · Post by **Valens** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 5:32 am

In First Edition, I believe, the 'Uncontrollable' word was part of the spell.