Mechanics items question

[DreamWithinADream]

So I have yet another question! Maybe you guys will know this one, id love dm input.
When you use a magic item like lets say a belt that has charm person on it, and you -fail- your attempt to charm, does the person know you ever even attempted? I mean obviously the player sees they made a roll but does the character know what happened? And if im using something like a belt, is it clearly visible that im using it? Is it a little button on it or a switch ? Im sure my character doesnt use the absurd hand motion that use item in this game makes you perform, but how does it really work? Do all items have verbal triggers? If it is verbal, then would it follow to say that someone wouldnt know what exactly you were trying to do to them anyways unless they had spellcraft?

I could see that if a person had spellcraft they could probably tell whats going on, but what about everyone else?

[Relinquish]

Pretty much, what you see is what you get.

[xXCrystal_Rose]

They'd see the magic shooting out, if there was that animation and they were facing your direction to be able to see it in the first place, and they'd know that they were effected by something magical. They might not be able to identify what kind of magic it was though if they succeed the save. Maybe a spellcraft can help determine, but probably would need to be able to identify the belt as the source of the effect and know what the belt does.

[DreamWithinADream]

But what if it doesnt shoot a spell effect at them? What if your character just does a funny use item motion the way they would for like, using a healkit? What does that translate to ic? i know for using a healkit itd translate to a person using bandages or a poultice. What about using a belt? What does that look like?

[Lenthis]

For example if your using this belt from behind a weak willed fighter, and they make the save, its safe to assume they will have no idea what happened, maybe not even be sure if you did it.

While a Wizard would be able to tell what magics just attempted to assault his mind and would most likely be able to pinpoint it.

[Guns 'n Roses]

'What you see is what you get' tends to stick. If you're specifically making note and mention that it's from behind to the player in question, it's up to his own discretion how to handle it.

Most players (read: adventurerers, since we're more or less all familiar with magic) will know that the animation for bull's strength is the same as the other stat attribute buffs, so the animation will be enough to tell that *one* of these has been used, failing the check.

Similary, mind affecting spells fire off small balls at people. So yeah: if seen, people can tell with some certainty that they've just been hit by 'some' mind affecting spell.