A question about Silence [Archive] - Wizards Community

A question about Silence [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
crotalus8
02-18-08, 06:52 AM When you read the description of silence, do you read it as the only way an affected person gets a save is if they are the target, or even if they are in the spells area of effect?

This came up in a game last night and the spell's text is a bit muddled. If it is cast on a point in space, do the people inside of the spell get individual saves. It looks to me as though you only get a save if it is targeted on you.

I tried to explain that it wasn't directly being applied onto the 5 beings inside of that area, but to sound in the area itself. But I wanted to be sure, and not be that DM.:D
Zarith
02-18-08, 07:06 AM From the SRD

Silence
Illusion (Glamer)
Level: Brd 2, Clr 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area: 20-ft.-radius emanation centered on a creature, object, or point in space
Duration: 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates; see text or none (object)
Spell Resistance: Yes; see text or no (object)

Upon the casting of this spell, complete silence prevails in the affected area. All sound is stopped: Conversation is impossible, spells with verbal components cannot be cast, and no noise whatsoever issues from, enters, or passes through the area. The spell can be cast on a point in space, but the effect is stationary unless cast on a mobile object. The spell can be centered on a creature, and the effect then radiates from the creature and moves as it moves. An unwilling creature can attempt a Will save to negate the spell and can use spell resistance, if any. Items in a creature’s possession or magic items that emit sound receive the benefits of saves and spell resistance, but unattended objects and points in space do not. This spell provides a defense against sonic or language-based attacks.

I read this to mean if your cast it on a creature they get a save, if it is centered on a point in space or unattended object there is no save, you have to move out of the area of effect.
crotalus8
02-18-08, 07:58 AM Agreed. That is how I read it, also. I just wanted an outside opinion to help ease my player's mind.

Thanks
Seeker95
02-18-08, 08:15 AM If you're looking for majority rule numbers, I concur.
jaelis
02-18-08, 09:56 AM Yep.
Seridan
02-18-08, 10:37 AM Items in a creature’s possession or magic items that emit sound receive the benefits of saves and spell resistance, but unattended objects and points in space do not.

Which means if you enter an area with the silence spell in effect you, and your items, receive a saving throw to avoid the silence effect.

Also if silence didn't require a saving throw when you enter it the feat Silencing Strike would be useless. The feat (from Races of the Stone) says: when you strike a target with a sneak attack you apply a silence effect without a save on the target (spending one silence daily use that Whisper Gnomes have). If silence was working without a save if you casted on yourself then why use a new feat to apply it on a target? :P

Maybe the feat IS useless however the way I see it all creatures (and items) get a saving throw
Zarith
02-18-08, 10:55 AM Which means if you enter an area with the silence spell in effect you, and your items, receive a saving throw to avoid the silence effect.

Also if silence didn't require a saving throw when you enter it the feat Silencing Strike would be useless. The feat (from Races of the Stone) says: when you strike a target with a sneak attack you apply a silence effect without a save on the target (spending one silence daily use that Whisper Gnomes have). If silence was working without a save if you casted on yourself then why use a new feat to apply it on a target? :P

Maybe the feat IS useless however the way I see it all creatures (and items) get a saving throw

No, if you willingly or accidentally enter an area that is magically silenced you (and your equipment) are silenced, no save. That line refers to targeting a creatures equipment or an unattended magic item that emits sound with the silence spell. So you cannot say, "Well if the wizard gets a save, I'll just target his belt."
Seridan
02-18-08, 11:18 AM So you cannot say, "Well if the wizard gets a save, I'll just target his belt."

Good point. ;)
That made me change my opinion about it.
I was trying to find out why that line was in the spell description.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
crotalus8 02-18-08, 06:52 AM	When you read the description of silence, do you read it as the only way an affected person gets a save is if they are the target, or even if they are in the spells area of effect? This came up in a game last night and the spell's text is a bit muddled. If it is cast on a point in space, do the people inside of the spell get individual saves. It looks to me as though you only get a save if it is targeted on you. I tried to explain that it wasn't directly being applied onto the 5 beings inside of that area, but to sound in the area itself. But I wanted to be sure, and not be that DM.:D
Zarith 02-18-08, 07:06 AM	From the SRD Silence Illusion (Glamer) Level: Brd 2, Clr 2 Components: V, S Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level) Area: 20-ft.-radius emanation centered on a creature, object, or point in space Duration: 1 min./level (D) Saving Throw: Will negates; see text or none (object) Spell Resistance: Yes; see text or no (object) Upon the casting of this spell, complete silence prevails in the affected area. All sound is stopped: Conversation is impossible, spells with verbal components cannot be cast, and no noise whatsoever issues from, enters, or passes through the area. The spell can be cast on a point in space, but the effect is stationary unless cast on a mobile object. The spell can be centered on a creature, and the effect then radiates from the creature and moves as it moves. An unwilling creature can attempt a Will save to negate the spell and can use spell resistance, if any. Items in a creature’s possession or magic items that emit sound receive the benefits of saves and spell resistance, but unattended objects and points in space do not. This spell provides a defense against sonic or language-based attacks. I read this to mean if your cast it on a creature they get a save, if it is centered on a point in space or unattended object there is no save, you have to move out of the area of effect.
crotalus8 02-18-08, 07:58 AM	Agreed. That is how I read it, also. I just wanted an outside opinion to help ease my player's mind. Thanks
Seeker95 02-18-08, 08:15 AM	If you're looking for majority rule numbers, I concur.
jaelis 02-18-08, 09:56 AM	Yep.
Seridan 02-18-08, 10:37 AM	Items in a creature’s possession or magic items that emit sound receive the benefits of saves and spell resistance, but unattended objects and points in space do not. Which means if you enter an area with the silence spell in effect you, and your items, receive a saving throw to avoid the silence effect. Also if silence didn't require a saving throw when you enter it the feat Silencing Strike would be useless. The feat (from Races of the Stone) says: when you strike a target with a sneak attack you apply a silence effect without a save on the target (spending one silence daily use that Whisper Gnomes have). If silence was working without a save if you casted on yourself then why use a new feat to apply it on a target? :P Maybe the feat IS useless however the way I see it all creatures (and items) get a saving throw
Zarith 02-18-08, 10:55 AM	Which means if you enter an area with the silence spell in effect you, and your items, receive a saving throw to avoid the silence effect. Also if silence didn't require a saving throw when you enter it the feat Silencing Strike would be useless. The feat (from Races of the Stone) says: when you strike a target with a sneak attack you apply a silence effect without a save on the target (spending one silence daily use that Whisper Gnomes have). If silence was working without a save if you casted on yourself then why use a new feat to apply it on a target? :P Maybe the feat IS useless however the way I see it all creatures (and items) get a saving throw No, if you willingly or accidentally enter an area that is magically silenced you (and your equipment) are silenced, no save. That line refers to targeting a creatures equipment or an unattended magic item that emits sound with the silence spell. So you cannot say, "Well if the wizard gets a save, I'll just target his belt."
Seridan 02-18-08, 11:18 AM	So you cannot say, "Well if the wizard gets a save, I'll just target his belt." Good point. ;) That made me change my opinion about it. I was trying to find out why that line was in the spell description.