An Illusionist's Disguise ability

[Witterquick]

I know the Illusionist in question reads these boards, but I do have a few questions.

First of all, the rulebook says that an Illusionist can use "a combination of magic and props to impersonate others." Can he disguise someone else (say, another PC) to look like someone else?

Second, should their be incidental costs (such as correct clothing, etc.) for trying to impersonate a specific individual?

Thanks.
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[Philotomy Jurament]

Witterquick wrote:
First of all, the rulebook says that an Illusionist can use "a combination of magic and props to impersonate others." Can he disguise someone else (say, another PC) to look like someone else?

The Illusionist's disguise ability is Charisma based, which means the significant factor (other than spells) is the illusionist's ability to carry off the charade.

If the illusionist disguised someone else and gave them pointers, I'd allow that PC to make a Charisma check with no level bonus and with a +2 circumstance bonus for the illusionist's assistance. If the illusionist had any spells that would help and that could be cast on the other PC, then those might help, too.

Quote:
Second, should their be incidental costs (such as correct clothing, etc.) for trying to impersonate a specific individual?

Sure, I would say so. If they didn't have the right clothing and props, I'd set the CL higher or apply a penalty to the roll. The illusionist might have some spells that could help with stuff like this.

[Witterquick]

Now here's an interesting conundrum:

while I like your basic notion, the math doesn't add up in this case, because everyone is first level. To give a +2 and no level bonus, the non-illusionist PC essentially has the same chance as the illusionist (+1). Perhaps I'll just have the non-illusionist PC make a CHA roll, no level bonuses, and see how it goes. I'll wager that it's non-prime too.
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[Scurvy_Platypus]

Witterquick wrote:
Now here's an interesting conundrum:

while I like your basic notion, the math doesn't add up in this case, because everyone is first level. To give a +2 and no level bonus, the non-illusionist PC essentially has the same chance as the illusionist (+1). Perhaps I'll just have the non-illusionist PC make a CHA roll, no level bonuses, and see how it goes. I'll wager that it's non-prime too.

Really? Shouldn't the Illusionist's check be be from a base starting TN of 12 instead of 18? I thought the Illusionist prime was CHA although maybe it isn't.

Some people also rule that a Class Ability/Skill always makes a check as if it were a Prime. This deals with several examples you can find floating around of a high Attribute non-Prime character being able to do something better than a low Attribute Prime character. Like Fighters being able to outsneak a Rogue (in theory) or Clerics being able to out listen/notice something than a Rogue.

[Philotomy Jurament]

Witterquick wrote:
Now here's an interesting conundrum:

while I like your basic notion, the math doesn't add up in this case, because everyone is first level. To give a +2 and no level bonus, the non-illusionist PC essentially has the same chance as the illusionist (+1).

Hah! Yeah, that's a quirk in the scheme. On the other hand, it's only like that at first level. Also, it doesn't seem too far out there to say that a Cha-prime PC with assistance and coaching might be able to pull off a disguise just as well as a 1st level illusionist, if spells aren't added into the mix. (The 1st level illusionist is probably going to be using change self -- that only effects the caster, so it can't be cast on another PC -- and that would provide further bonuses or affect the CL, for him.) As you note, if Cha isn't prime for the other PC, that will make a huge difference.

Eliminating the +2 bonus for "assistance" is workable, too. You could just say the only reason the other PC is getting a reasonable chance is because the illusionist is helping in the first place. Without the assistance, they could still attempt it, but the CL would be much higher.

[Witterquick]

No, I'm betting that the disguised PC (a ranger) doesn't have CHA as prime
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[gideon_thorne]

Consider the disguise ability to be an 'inate' power of the class. Sure, an illusionist could help someone with the cosmetic aspects of a disguise, but the 'magic' that factors in can be described in a variety of ways.

1) The illusionist has the ability to conciously alter the muscle structure under their skin in order to appear as someone else. (Think of Silk, from David Eddings Belgariad books)

2) Its an innate 'change self' spell.

3) Its a limited form of shape change, which might make for some interesting possibilties beyond 12th level where the character can learn to become a sort of changeling.

Giving assistance to someone else, the only factors should be the illusionists level and the charisma of the person being assisted. Since, without magical aid, it's on the order of a craft check via advice and instruction. IMHO anyhow.
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