So, this is the situation; one of my players (a wizard) is on hiatus for a while, but keeps in contact with the party by using the sending every in game day in the morning. He sends this to a specific character, which in our last session has been petrified. I'm curious, to me it would make sense that the spell fails. However, there's nothing in the spell indicating that the creature needs to be conscious. It would be easiest to just rule it's not possible, but perhaps it can be made a bit more interesting. How would you guys rule this?
Hmm. This is an interesting question. RAW, it would seem like you can even reply to the message while petrified. I would allow the spell to be received, and (unless I have some reason to keep the petrification secret from the wizard) allow the statue to respond. Rule of cool, it would definitely be more fun that way.
Depends on how you rule Petrification. In some fantasy books, also non D&D related, Petrification turns the body to stone. However the individual is mentally still aware of everything. While in other sources there is complete petrification and mentally unaware. So time basically stands still from the creatures point of view.
Depending on which approach you decide to go with you have your answer.
Depending on which approach you decide to go with you have your answer.
I understand, I'm following the RAW rules of the condition;
Petrified
A petrified creature is transformed, along with any nonmagical object it is wearing or carrying, into a solid inanimate substance (usually stone). Its weight increases by a factor of ten, and it ceases aging.
The creature is incapacitated (see the condition), can't move or speak, and is unaware of its surroundings.
Attack rolls against the creature have advantage.
The creature automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
The creature has resistance to all damage.
The creature is immune to poison and disease, although a poison or disease already in its system is suspended, not neutralized.
That said, the sending spell is "mental" so not truly part of the surroundings. That's why i'm thinking about which version to use...
Unaware of its surroundings, in line with my previous post, would be complete petrification. That includes mental prowess as well. Sending would not work then.
Unaware of its surroundings, in line with my previous post, would be complete petrification. That includes mental prowess as well. Sending would not work then.
Unless you rule that the reason why they are unaware of its surroundings is fully because of the sense organs (ie. Ears, nose, eyes, etc.) being stone and not because the mental faculties are impaired. Surface petrification versus complete petrification.
Unaware of its surroundings, in line with my previous post, would be complete petrification. That includes mental prowess as well. Sending would not work then.
Unless you rule that the reason why they are unaware of its surroundings is fully because of the sense organs (ie. Ears, nose, eyes, etc.) being stone and not because the mental faculties are impaired. Surface petrification versus complete petrification.
Along the same lines, wouldn't their mental organs be stone, meaning they can't think? It does say the creature is turned into stone... So even though they are a creature and they receive the sending, they can neither process the message or respond to it because their brain is stone.
Unaware of its surroundings, in line with my previous post, would be complete petrification. That includes mental prowess as well. Sending would not work then.
Unless you rule that the reason why they are unaware of its surroundings is fully because of the sense organs (ie. Ears, nose, eyes, etc.) being stone and not because the mental faculties are impaired. Surface petrification versus complete petrification.
A DM might make a separate ruling depending on the context of their game, but the Condition does state "solid inanimate substance (usually stone)," which would indicate a complete petrification over a superficial one.
Unaware of its surroundings, in line with my previous post, would be complete petrification. That includes mental prowess as well. Sending would not work then.
Unless you rule that the reason why they are unaware of its surroundings is fully because of the sense organs (ie. Ears, nose, eyes, etc.) being stone and not because the mental faculties are impaired. Surface petrification versus complete petrification.
A DM might make a separate ruling depending on the context of their game, but the Condition does state "solid inanimate substance (usually stone)," which would indicate a complete petrification over a superficial one.
Which is fine, and part of the reason I mentioned the ruling. I do think that there would be something flavorful with being imprisoned within yourself and trying to stave off insanity, particularly when the sending is the only attachment that he has from the outside world. Perhaps have the player make wisdom saving rolls to stave off insanity with three failed saves causing him to give in totally to insanity and embrace petrification.
Yeah, I'm guessing that it's intended that there's no communication possible. And for the petrified creature no time seems to pass as it doesn't age at all.
That would probable be even more disturbing to the Sending character; knowing that yep, the message is delivered and received, but getting no response even though yesterday it was fine. They could start making all sorts of scenarios up in their head. So I think I'm going with that; not letting the spell fail since there's no target, but simply not receiving a response... at all...
So, this is the situation; one of my players (a wizard) is on hiatus for a while, but keeps in contact with the party by using the sending every in game day in the morning. He sends this to a specific character, which in our last session has been petrified. I'm curious, to me it would make sense that the spell fails. However, there's nothing in the spell indicating that the creature needs to be conscious. It would be easiest to just rule it's not possible, but perhaps it can be made a bit more interesting. How would you guys rule this?
Subclass: Dwarven Defender - Dragonborn Paragon
Feats: Artificer Apprentice
Monsters: Sheep - Spellbreaker Warforged Titan
Magic Items: Whipier - Ring of Secret Storage - Collar of the Guardian
Monster template: Skeletal Creature
Hmm. This is an interesting question. RAW, it would seem like you can even reply to the message while petrified. I would allow the spell to be received, and (unless I have some reason to keep the petrification secret from the wizard) allow the statue to respond. Rule of cool, it would definitely be more fun that way.
Depends on how you rule Petrification. In some fantasy books, also non D&D related, Petrification turns the body to stone. However the individual is mentally still aware of everything. While in other sources there is complete petrification and mentally unaware. So time basically stands still from the creatures point of view.
Depending on which approach you decide to go with you have your answer.
I understand, I'm following the RAW rules of the condition;
Petrified
That said, the sending spell is "mental" so not truly part of the surroundings. That's why i'm thinking about which version to use...
Subclass: Dwarven Defender - Dragonborn Paragon
Feats: Artificer Apprentice
Monsters: Sheep - Spellbreaker Warforged Titan
Magic Items: Whipier - Ring of Secret Storage - Collar of the Guardian
Monster template: Skeletal Creature
Unaware of its surroundings, in line with my previous post, would be complete petrification. That includes mental prowess as well. Sending would not work then.
Unless you rule that the reason why they are unaware of its surroundings is fully because of the sense organs (ie. Ears, nose, eyes, etc.) being stone and not because the mental faculties are impaired. Surface petrification versus complete petrification.
Along the same lines, wouldn't their mental organs be stone, meaning they can't think? It does say the creature is turned into stone... So even though they are a creature and they receive the sending, they can neither process the message or respond to it because their brain is stone.
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ModeratorA DM might make a separate ruling depending on the context of their game, but the Condition does state "solid inanimate substance (usually stone)," which would indicate a complete petrification over a superficial one.
Which is fine, and part of the reason I mentioned the ruling. I do think that there would be something flavorful with being imprisoned within yourself and trying to stave off insanity, particularly when the sending is the only attachment that he has from the outside world. Perhaps have the player make wisdom saving rolls to stave off insanity with three failed saves causing him to give in totally to insanity and embrace petrification.
Yeah, I'm guessing that it's intended that there's no communication possible. And for the petrified creature no time seems to pass as it doesn't age at all.
That would probable be even more disturbing to the Sending character; knowing that yep, the message is delivered and received, but getting no response even though yesterday it was fine. They could start making all sorts of scenarios up in their head. So I think I'm going with that; not letting the spell fail since there's no target, but simply not receiving a response... at all...
Subclass: Dwarven Defender - Dragonborn Paragon
Feats: Artificer Apprentice
Monsters: Sheep - Spellbreaker Warforged Titan
Magic Items: Whipier - Ring of Secret Storage - Collar of the Guardian
Monster template: Skeletal Creature