Hostile

A Hostile creature opposes the party. Its goals are at odds with the party's, and it will act to thwart, harm, or eliminate them given the opportunity.

What Hostile means in play:

• The creature will refuse cooperation, lie, or attack outright depending on circumstances
• It will not share useful information without coercion (and may still lie under it)
• It treats the party as Enemies for the purposes of attacks of opportunity, sneak attack, and similar rules
• Hostile does not always mean "attacking on sight" — a hostile guard captain may still parley if outnumbered, a hostile noble may still receive the party if protocol demands it

How a creature becomes Hostile:

• Pre-existing enmity (faction conflict, personal vendetta, racial prejudice the DM has established in the world)
• A failed Influence check shifting attitude one step down from Indifferent
• The party crossing a line (theft, insult, attacking an ally)
• Innate disposition for predators, undead, and many fiends/aberrations toward most mortals

How a creature stops being Hostile:

• A successful Influence check (typically the hardest of the attitude shifts to achieve)
• The party offering something of clear value or making amends
• Coercion, magical compulsion (charm, dominate), or surrender

Contrast: Friendly and Indifferent are the other two attitudes. See Attitude.