Q: How does the Misdirection Spell work in the City Region?

Can the movement be forced counter-clockwise? How about entering shops?

The Spell was cast while I was on the Town Square and then rolled a 4. I could have moved into the Magic Emporium or Soothsayer shop, proceed down the street and enter Armoury, Menagerie or Stables, or land on any Street space down the road.

I think we figured out the situation but I want to share some ideas if possible.

The_Warlock said:

doesn't it say something about Misdirection in the rules for the city?

Uvatha said:

Not quite. There's a paragraph clarifying what happens if a card or effect instructs a Character to move counter-clockwise, which results in moving against the arrows.

That paragraph casts doubt on Misdirection Spell in City and we asked each other if it's possible to force a character to move counter-clockwise or force him to go inside a shop.

I was also wondering how the Barmaids ability worked in the city. 

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/Talisman/The%20City/TM10-character-tavernmaid.jpg

Gigg said:

In case the outcome of "pour them a drink" is a 4, then you'll be in the same situation as the Misdirection Spell.

However, nobody seems to have any idea. I'll go on playing that such Spells/abilities cannot force a clockwise movement in the City, but they can force the movement in any possible direction. From the Town Square, you can either force movement into Magic Emporium, Soothsayer or Guild Street. In the latter case, if the rolls is 2 or more, what happens after Guild Street is decided by the character as normal.

We have played that spells like that overrides the current movement rules. For example, we play with the alternative movement rules in the Dungeon (which we also incorperated into the Highlands), where you only can go down towards the Treasure chamber, unless you chose to turn back.

So if Misdirection would be cast in our Dungeonplays we would treat the Misdirection spell as normal, the caster decides in which direction you move, but if he moves you backwards it is not treated as if you where turning back and on the next turn you can move as normal. 

I would do the same in the City.

Nidhögg said:

In the Inner Region, or in the Dungeon with Fight or Flight alternative rule, there's the option to turn back or flee the Dungeon. The FAQ explains what happens if Misdirection is played in these cases.

In the City moving counter-clockwise is not an option: it is forbidden. Moving counter-clockwise in the City is a good thing, especially in the shop area, as you can re-enter shops. If Misdirection may do this, I wish it to be clarified, if possible.

As I see it, Misdirection in the City is quite useless. You can force a character to enter a shop he doesn't want to visit, but you can't shape the movement between spaces, you only get to choose the direction towards which the movement begins.