some questions regarding Mind Control

urbwar · Post by **urbwar** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 5:29 am

So I'm working on an adventure for possible release. The main villain has a form of mind control, and has used it on her minions.

If someone else tried to mind control them, would there be any way they could discover they are all ready being controlled by someone else? Would their being under a form of control all ready affect the heroes attempt to control them?

Would someone with Telepathy be able to discern they are under some sort of control if they attempt to read their mind, or would it require some kind of sense power?

Zaratan · Post by **Zaratan** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 8:53 am

If I was running it, the mind check to mind control a mind controlled minion would be vs the mind of the original controller. If you win it wipes the original control. Otherwise you need to keep track of conflicting controlling commands and that sounds messy.

As for detecting it, Sense mental powers would be the way to go (either alone or free with Mental Mastery). Telepathy might work along with a mind check to spot fishy thought processes. Mind controlled people generally don't realise they're being controlled, so any traces would be subtle.

urbwar · Post by **urbwar** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:08 am

thanks for the advice Zaratan. Part of the power is going to be extended duration, so when they encounter the mind controlled minions, it's been awhile since the power was used on them (the power also has second nature, so it acts as sustained instead of maintained). That's why I was curious about how someone might detect it, and how another attempt at Mind Control might affect the in place control

Sijo · Post by **Sijo** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:53 am

I'd say it depends on several factors: on whether the effect is one that lingers, or the villains needs to use it every time he/she commands the minions; and on whether they are aware they are being manipulated or not. Similarly, it also depends on the powers used on them detecting active or passive influences, and (in the case of probing their minds) how deep the probing goes.

Heh, this reminds me of the controversy over Wonder Woman killing Max Lord (during Infinite Crisis) because he had Superman under mind control and he assured her (under influence of her Lasso of Truth) that the only way to free him would be to kill Lord. Except, from what we saw in other comics, his "control" was making Superman "see"other people as foes such as Doomsday (so, more Mental lllusion than mind control.) And anyway, just because Lord honestly believed that Superman could never be freed from his power doesn't mean it was true, especially in the anything-can-happen DC Universe. The whole thing was *terribly* forced, just to justify Diana committing murder.

And speaking of women and Mind Control... I'm currently working on Statting out Ayesha (better known as H. Rider Haggard's SHE!) the original Femme Fatale Supervillainess! One of her powers is the ability to control men with her beauty alone (I'm assuming this is a supernatural power and not just hyperbole.) How would you folks describe that in BASH terms?

urbwar · Post by **urbwar** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:27 pm

Sijo wrote:I'd say it depends on several factors: on whether the effect is one that lingers, or the villains needs to use it every time he/she commands the minions; and on whether they are aware they are being manipulated or not. Similarly, it also depends on the powers used on them detecting active or passive influences, and (in the case of probing their minds) how deep the probing goes.

I guess you didn't see my previous post when you wrote this, as I mention the power has both the extended duration and second nature enhancements, so the effects last a long time, and makes the power sustained, not maintained

Sijo · Post by **Sijo** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:03 pm

Actually I did read it, but I'm not 100% certain what you mean since I don't have Ultimate Edition yet. Anyway my point is that there are a variety of "mind controls" and equally, of means of detecting them.

urbwar · Post by **urbwar** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:59 pm

Sijo wrote:Actually I did read it, but I'm not 100% certain what you mean since I don't have Ultimate Edition yet. Anyway my point is that there are a variety of "mind controls" and equally, of means of detecting them.

I understand that. The reason I brought up me previous comments is because those are mechanical enhancements that affect the power, and thus would have assisted you in giving advice. Since you don't have the book, and don't know what it all means yet, it's irrelevant for the time being

Sijo · Post by **Sijo** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 11:40 pm

The irony is that I SHOULD have a copy of UE already, except (as I mentioned in another thread) something went wrong with my bank account and my card is no good. I hope to have everything fixed by tomorrow (thought then I still have to wait until I get my NEW card by mail.)

urbwar · Post by **urbwar** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 1:18 am

That sucks. Hopefully you will get it soon

Sijo · Post by **Sijo** » Fri Aug 10, 2012 11:03 pm

Ok, my new bank account is ready now. But I still have to wait for Snail Mail to deliver my new card. should take about a week.