Re: Plot Idea Query

David Friedman wrote:
When they cross the border into Forstmark the spell comes off Helgi. Helgi, however, is a reasonably decent young man and fond of Eric--by now they've probably been through a good deal together. So at this point Helgi has to decide whether or not the lie is now truth--whether he really is loyal to Eric now that the spell making him think he is has vanished.

The final paragraph above is the plot device I'm asking about. Someone who believes X had been enchanted into thinking he believes Y, a good deal of time passes and then the enchantment is removed. Which does he now decide he actually believes?

My question would be, if Helgi is a decent man, and being loyal to Eric is actually a positive behavior, does Helgi need know the spell has worn off? Or maybe he gets the memory back without the least sense of change in self - a feeling that the spell was a waste of time in the first place? Imagine casting a spell on an anvil, that ensures that if dropped, the anvil will fall to the ground.

Bill



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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Plot Idea Query
    ... Depends on the reader. ... throwaway) happening to a minor character (Helgi), ... of spell had originally been developed for. ... abilities of the one in control go. ...
    (rec.arts.sf.composition)
  • Re: Plot Idea Query
    ... Helgi, however, is a reasonably decent young man and fond of ... who put the spell on him. ... making his reactions to the spell issue mootl. ...
    (rec.arts.sf.composition)
  • Re: Plot Idea Query
    ... Helgi, however, is a reasonably decent young man and fond of Eric--by ... put the spell on him. ... him, Helgi would have reasons to have negative feelings about the caster, ... make him act in Eric's favor, becoming committed -- making his reactions to ...
    (rec.arts.sf.composition)
  • Re: Magical Devices
    ... is Helgi--who is crossing into Esland to rescue his young friend Eirick ... of the guild can provide to Helgi, given that he is, at least as I ... He can, however, carry a scroll which, when read, will put a spell ... energy for somebody to perform extra labour without benefit of rest or food ...
    (rec.arts.sf.composition)
  • Re: Plot Idea Query
    ... loyalty spell that includes some sort of GPS. ... If it doesn't come off then Helgi, loyal to his friend Eric, will help ... Forstmark--which is not what the Guild wants. ... Forstmark is to get his mother and help her go back home to Esland. ...
    (rec.arts.sf.composition)