D&D 5E Can an unseen servant fly?

[Professor Murder]

The living spell version of Unseen Servant from Dungeon of the Mad Mage does not have a flight speed, so I'd say no to flying.

 

[MarkB]

"The servant can perform simple tasks that a human servant could do"

I think that's interesting, because .... could a real servant say... clean a chandelier? Yes. They would fetch a ladder, or move a cart or crates etc etc...

So it might not "fly", but it may be able to reach heights, in a "reasonable" way

Within the limits of its capabilities. A standard 10-foot ladder is close to the limit of a Strength 2 character's carrying capacity. A step ladder of equivalent height it'd have to drag around.

 

[Stormonu]

Wonder if the OP may be conflating unseen servant with the ol' 1E/2E Aerial Servant.

 

[James Gasik]

Ah rules debates, where "it's a fantasy" is met with "but physics" and "but physics" is met with "it's a fantasy".

 

[aco175]

Aarakocra wizard thinks:

"Why would any caster bother with an unseen servant spell that can't do something so pedestrian as flying?"​

If an aarakocra created it, could it do tasks that an aarakocra servant could do? Something to think about.

I would tend to be more in favor of limiting it since it is just a 1st level spell. I would be ok with an improved version at 3rd level that could do several of the things mentioned in the thread. I could even see a summoned warrior that could attack, but that might be a 5th level spell.

 

[Stalker0]

A spiritual weapon is explicitly flying, though. It is floating and can move, which is...................flight. The unseen servant on the other hand has no ability to float and can only do things that normal human servants can, so no flight.

The levitate spell makes you float, and you are not flying

 

[Maxperson]

The levitate spell makes you float, and you are not flying

Correct. You also cannot move in any direction like the weapon can. Levitate limits you to straight up and down, which is not present in the Spiritual Weapon spell.

 

[greg kaye]

If an aarakocra created it, could it do tasks that an aarakocra servant could do? Something to think about. ...

At least as a spellbook based spell, I'd tend to think it would depend more on the initial formulation of the spell rather than the ability of the spell caster. Regardless, an aarakocra, with a max move of 10, might be unable to fly.

Gnomes and others cast unseen servant with it's current description. I doubt that Aarakocras have a special exception.

 

[Lanefan]

Sure, the unseen servant can climb a ladder. There is a big difference between not being able to fly and being nailed to the floor.

However, if it only has Strength 2 it's debatable whether the US could move a ladder to the right place..... [edit] .....as someone else already noted.

 

[Oofta]

Ah rules debates, where "it's a fantasy" is met with "but physics" and "but physics" is met with "it's a fantasy".

Not sure how that relates to, like, anything being discussed?

 

[aco175]

Not sure how that relates to, like, anything being discussed?

I think that is the same argument as some use when you ask to talk about it like adults and they shout that you are a XYZ

 

[Oofta]

I think that is the same argument as some use when you ask to talk about it like adults and they shout that you are a XYZ

There's been a bit of disagreement here, but I don't see much shouting. It just seemed like a really random comment, but maybe I'm missing something or someone has me blocked.

 

[Stormonu]

The levitate spell makes you float, and you are not flying

Well, then cast levitate/fly on it. Oh, wait - you can't see it to target it.

I wonder if this spell and things like mage hand, spiritual weapon, arcane eye and those that create a "magical construct" would benefit from a (generic magical) stat block that could be enhanced/modified to aid with these sort of things.

 

[James Gasik]

Not sure how that relates to, like, anything being discussed?

Ah, don't mind me, I'm just dealing with allergies and frustrated with rules discussions in general. I've been going around in circles with some people IRL and I come here and make the mistake of posting in some like anyone cares about my insights, lol.

Generally people have their position and nothing is going to change it, and sometimes the arcane gyrations involved between the two camps is headache inducing. The person I'm dealing with at the moment can't seem to pick a lane. He'll argue that a rule doesn't make sense from a realism standpoint one day, then be like "but the rules say!" the next.

Anyways, carry on, gentlepersons.

 

[Vaalingrade]

If an aarakocra created it, could it do tasks that an aarakocra servant could do? Something to think about.

More importantly, if we're limiting the spell on the 'human servant' line, what if there's no servants in the world? Does it mean that the force creature can bear your illegitimate children? Can it decide it deserves compensation and go on strike? A lot rides on this awful little addition to the descriptor.

 

[greg kaye]

More importantly, if we're limiting the spell on the 'human servant' line, what if there's no servants in the world?

Then it would act according to the concept of a human servant in a way that fitted with the spells wording.

Does it mean that the force creature can bear your illegitimate children?

problems include that the gestation time for humanoids tends to be longer than the spell's duration.

Can it decide it deserves compensation and go on strike?

It's mindless.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Then it would act according to the concept of a human servant in a way that fitted with the spells wording.\

Wait, but...

It's mindless.

So no, it can't perform actions like a human servant.

That line can be easily and happily ignored forever.

 

[greg kaye]

So no, it can't perform actions like a human servant.

exactly.
"The servant can perform simple tasks that a human servant could do, such as fetching things, cleaning, mending⁠, folding clothes, lighting fires, serving food, and pouring wine. Once you give the command⁠, the servant performs the task to the best of its ability until it completes the task, then waits for your next command⁠."
But it can't think for itself. Perhaps it's like the Wizard of Oz Scarecrow, only worse, needs a lot of help.

 

[greg kaye]

... Does it mean that the force creature can bear your illegitimate children? ...

I wouldn't say so, though a character of a friend of mine turns out to have unseen servants, with benefits. When I asked them why they had unseen servant they said, for massages. It took longer than it should have for me to ask, what kind of massages?

 

[Ancalagon]

Casting unseen servant as a ritual takes 10 minutes. I've always described it as my character doing all the work for 10 min as a "montage" to train the unseen servant to work doing the same things slower over an hour

I mean, if it's mindlness... it's preeety frickin limited