Pretty sure scrying doesn't work on a dead person as they are no longer considered a creature. But would the caster of Scrying know the difference between a failed scry on a live person and a failed scry on a dead person? Is there any rule, or is it DM fiat? How would you rule it?
I guess it’s up to DM. I’d rule the spell fails, and not give more details than that. Are they dead or did they save or are they on another plane? I don’t see how the caster would know.
And that was one of the things I was trying to clarify when the new rules were released. We have this now, and I'm still struggling to see if it changes anything:
Object
An object is a nonliving, distinct thing. Composite things, like buildings, comprise more than one object. See also “Breaking Objects.”
Creature
Any being in the game, including a player’s character, is a creature. See also “Creature Type.”
Under the 2024 rules, a dead creature is definitely still a creature. Dead is a rule in the Rules Glossary and the text specifically talks about the target as a creature.
Under the 2024 rules, a dead creature is definitely still a creature. Dead is a rule in the Rules Glossary and the text specifically talks about the target as a creature.
I forgot to add it:
Dead
A dead creature has no Hit Points and can’t regain them unless it is first revived by magic such as the Raise Dead or Revivify spell. When such a spell is cast, the spirit knows who is casting it and can refuse. The spirit of a dead creature has left the body and departed for the Outer Planes, and reviving the creature requires calling the spirit back. [...]
A corpse is an object that carries characteristics of a creature. Because of this, I would treat the spell as scrying on the location of the dead creature, which is also something the spell does.
You can see and hear a creature you choose that is on the same plane of existence as you.
If they're dead, that (usually) means their soul has departed their body for another plane, per the Glossary
A dead creature has no Hit Points and can’t regain them unless it is first revived by magic such as the Raise Dead or Revivify spell. When such a spell is cast, the spirit knows who is casting it and can refuse. The spirit of a dead creature has left the body and departed for the Outer Planes, and reviving the creature requires calling the spirit back.
So does "creature" in the case of scrying refer to the empty shell of a body, or the creature's soul? Or neither, or both?
In my games I'd rule that the scrying spell just fizzles, but other people are going to view it differently
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
A corpse is an object that carries characteristics of a creature. Because of this, I would treat the spell as scrying on the location of the dead creature, which is also something the spell does.
A corpse is an object that carries characteristics of a creature. Because of this, I would treat the spell as scrying on the location of the dead creature, which is also something the spell does.
Sorry, that wasn't my intention. If anything, I was trying to remove a distinction rather than create one. Whether scrying treats the target as a creature or the location of the corpse, I would let the spell function as the caster desired.
A corpse is an object that carries characteristics of a creature. Because of this, I would treat the spell as scrying on the location of the dead creature, which is also something the spell does.
Sorry, that wasn't my intention. If anything, I was trying to remove a distinction rather than create one. Whether scrying treats the target as a creature or the location of the corpse, I would let the spell function as the caster desired.
Oh, sorry, I thought you were trying to say that there was a difference between something that "is a creature" and something that "carries characteristics of a creature". My mistake, haven't had my caffeine yet today...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
pronouns: he/she/they
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Pretty sure scrying doesn't work on a dead person as they are no longer considered a creature. But would the caster of Scrying know the difference between a failed scry on a live person and a failed scry on a dead person? Is there any rule, or is it DM fiat? How would you rule it?
I guess it’s up to DM. I’d rule the spell fails, and not give more details than that. Are they dead or did they save or are they on another plane? I don’t see how the caster would know.
Personally I'd be tempted to just let the spell functionally activate as a fixed sensor over the corpse.
Dead creatures are still creatures. There's no reason why the spell wouldn't work on one.
Consider for instance, the spell Revivify, which says "You touch a creature that has died within the last minute."
pronouns: he/she/they
I was about to say the same, but including a question mark :D Are dead creatures still creatures?
Under the 2014 rules, I'm ruling that a creature is a creature, dead or not. It was discussed here too: Can you twin true resurrection? - Rules & Game Mechanics
And that was one of the things I was trying to clarify when the new rules were released. We have this now, and I'm still struggling to see if it changes anything:
Under the 2024 rules, a dead creature is definitely still a creature. Dead is a rule in the Rules Glossary and the text specifically talks about the target as a creature.
I forgot to add it:
A corpse is an object that carries characteristics of a creature. Because of this, I would treat the spell as scrying on the location of the dead creature, which is also something the spell does.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
This is always a tricky subject that veers into metaphysics. Mechanically, dead creatures are still creatures... except when they're not.
The first line of scrying is
If they're dead, that (usually) means their soul has departed their body for another plane, per the Glossary
So does "creature" in the case of scrying refer to the empty shell of a body, or the creature's soul? Or neither, or both?
In my games I'd rule that the scrying spell just fizzles, but other people are going to view it differently
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
I don't think even Mordenkainen's Sword can split a hair that thin.
pronouns: he/she/they
Sorry, that wasn't my intention. If anything, I was trying to remove a distinction rather than create one. Whether scrying treats the target as a creature or the location of the corpse, I would let the spell function as the caster desired.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Oh, sorry, I thought you were trying to say that there was a difference between something that "is a creature" and something that "carries characteristics of a creature". My mistake, haven't had my caffeine yet today...
pronouns: he/she/they