Hold Person - what is it?

[tombowings]

Assuming we take the variant that hold person causes a creature to be unable to act, what does the spell do? It's seems strange for St. Peter to raise his wooden cross, shout the Lord's name, and by the Creator's will, cover Mary Magdalene in an unbreakable force-field that prevents her from moving.

[retrorob]

Some form of paralysis, I'd say. Given that OD&D-magic is in fact science (Vancian or pseudo-Vancian if you like), so maybe it's a kind of an electric shock, like after being shocked with a taser.

[linebeck]

I interpret it as form of mind control.  

It is one of 9 mind control spells available to magic-users:


1st

Charm person

Sleep



2d

Hold person



4th

Confusion

Charm Monster



5th

Hold monster

Feeblemind

Magic jar



6th

Geas

[hamurai]

Where does it say that the spell uses an unbreakable force field?

We always played it as linebeck and made it a form of mind control, sort of overriding the impulses to move going out from the brain, if you want a more scientific take.

[Deleted]

I also interpret it as a mental control. You make the person believe they can't move. It's the power of suggestion.

[Zenopus]

It may be biblical in origin like many of other clerical spells (Cf. Sticks to Snakes; Part Water; see this thread).

The held person is transfixed with awe and reverence by the manifested presence of the cleric's deity.

How about Psalms 4:4 as a possible source?

“Stand in awe, and sinne not: commune with your owne heart vpon your bed, and be still. Selah.”

www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1611_Psalms-4-4/

[Red Baron]

It might not just be immobilization. Ad&d interprets it as such, but its not clear from M&M btb.

The spell description lists it as similar to charm person but of greater magnitude and affecting multiple persons.

Think of it rather as a magic user placing someone under their "hold", and not as holding someone in place. So hypnosis basically.

[cometaryorbit]

Yeah, I think it's basically mental.

But yeah, the clerical version could be a wave of paralyzing awe, whereas the magic-user version could be more hypnotic, like the folklore about being 'transfixed' by a snake's eyes maybe...

[Zakharan]

I always get a "Dune" vibe from it. As it's technically a mental thing, but by saying the right words just-so they submit.

[tombowings]

Interesting suggestions, everyone.

[tetramorph]

I allow obedience to basic commands excepting self harm and the ability to answer yes no questions, always truthfully. Makes it an interesting spell to use. More so than just freezing someone in place.