D&D 5E Banishment and swallowed creatures

[Nebulous]

Oh God, I had the most horrible thought. If banishment only targets one creature, what would happen if you banish a pregnant creature?
Why do I even think these things?
I'm inclined to rule creatures "inside" a banished creature are banished as well.

I would say they share the same circulatory system and for all purposes are considered one entity for this spell, and not an auto-abortion.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

One would generally rule that a swallowed entity could use Misty Step or similar to get out, without taking the creature with them, so they must be a different creature, not part of the same creature.

 

[MarkB]

One would generally rule that a swallowed entity could use Misty Step or similar to get out, without taking the creature with them, so they must be a different creature, not part of the same creature.

Point taken, but while a more powerful spell like dimension door would work as you describe, misty step can only take you to a location you can see.

 

[Guest 6801328]

This is kind of a ridiculous conversation. If you want to try to break the game, all the bacteria in somebody's gut are, biologically, separate entities. What happens when a creature is polymorphed? Do the bacteria splash onto the floor?

We are talking about make-believe magical spells. Don't try to figure out what would realistically happen. Just use Rule of Cool. If you like the idea of a slime-covered Paladin dropping onto the floor with a squelch (and, really, who doesn't?) then do that. If you...and the Paladin's player...like the idea of the rest of the party having to go rescue him on a different plane, do that.

 

[MarkB]

I would say they share the same circulatory system and for all purposes are considered one entity for this spell, and not an auto-abortion.

Hmm, if the baby becomes a separate creature as soon as that ceases to be the case, teleportation magic could be used as an easy, non-invasive form of delivery in the event of a difficult labour - just 'deliver' the mother across the room, and leave the baby behind.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

I would say they share the same circulatory system and for all purposes are considered one entity for this spell, and not an auto-abortion.

Constructs don't have circulatory systems. Are only pieces of them banished?

 

[Nebulous]

Hmm, if the baby becomes a separate creature as soon as that ceases to be the case, teleportation magic could be used as an easy, non-invasive form of delivery in the event of a difficult labour - just 'deliver' the mother across the room, and leave the baby behind.

I have never, ever thought of magic-based obstetrics in the world of D&D

EDIT - Wait, you know, that old movie BEASTMASTER, remember that? I watched it recently (it hasn't held up as well as I remember from childhood) but in the beginning an old witch steals a baby from a pregnant woman with dark magic, and literally teleports the baby into the womb of a cow, and then cuts the child out later.

 

[darjr]

This is kind of a ridiculous conversation. If you want to try to break the game, all the bacteria in somebody's gut are, biologically, separate entities. What happens when a creature is polymorphed? Do the bacteria splash onto the floor?

Demon Dogs! You discovered how oozes are made!

 

[darjr]

Constructs don't have circulatory systems. Are only pieces of them banished?

Yes, at least from now on in my games. They deserve it anyway. I mean they’ll end up in one piece at the destination, just each part will take a different route.

 

[jgsugden]

Or, magic and science follow different rules and DM makes a decision and goes with it. If a player says it does not make sense, you can tell them it does not make sense to the player, but the character understands.