Area Effects -- When Does Damage Occur?

[Aluvial]

If a character casts a spell that puts out an area effect, (say Holy Storm from the SC; cylinder with 20' radius, 20' high) that lasts a number of rounds, when do creatures take damage from the effect?

I feel as if there are two choices.

1) The creature takes damge when the spell is first cast, and then later in the round at the start of its turn because its start position was in the effect;

or 2) the creature takes damage when the spell is first cast, and takes damage again on the caster's turn.

Which is correct?

I do know that the creature take damage if it leaves and then reenters the effect on its turn.

Aluvial

 

[Shin Okada]

Many spells do not clearly define this. In that case as a DM I usually use (2) as my interpretation. It is mainly because the first timing the spell inflicts the damages will be the turn of the caster. If so, the next damage should be inflicted a full-round later. That means, the next turn of the caster.

If the caster somehow delayed his initiative order after casting the spell, I will let the spell deal the damages every round, at the initiative order when the spell is cast.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I rule it the same as Shin.

 

[frankthedm]

I'd say the creature takes damage when the spell is first cast, takes damage if it enters the area if it was not in the area at the start of it's turn and takes damage again on the caster's turn. No passing through safely.

 

[Shin Okada]

I'd say the creature takes damage when the spell is first cast, takes damage if it enters the area if it was not in the area at the start of it's turn and takes damage again on the caster's turn. No passing through safely.

That interpretation sounds fair.