Freedom of Movement

[Lord Ben]

What, if anything, does freedom of movement or the travel domain do for you if grappled? I don't think it'd let you escape, but would it let you cast spell with somatic components?

We have a halfling cleric with the travel domain in our group and he got snatched into the dragons mouth. I wasn't sure on the ruling so I let him throw alchemist fires down the throat (ala Jaws), but said no on the spellcasting. I'm sure it'll come up again at some point, so any ideas on what the official ruling is?

 

[Lord Ben]

Anyone?

 

[hong]

It's unclear. The spell description only mentions magical effects that hinder movement, and grappling isn't magical. Thus FoM shouldn't do anything. On the other hand, it seems within the spirit of the spell to allow it to help you escape grapples.

I'd allow you to escape a grapple automatically, but only on your turn (ie, you can't use it to win an grapple check initiated by your attacker).

 

[Thanee]

This spell enables the character or the creature the character touches to move and attack normally for the duration of the spell, even under the influence of magic that usually impedes movement.

I'd say it does nothing against a grapple.

It does grant you immunity to movement reductions, but a grapple doesn't reduce your movement, you just can't use it, because you are held, you still have your full movement available in principle.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Jack Haggerty]

SRD:

This spell enables the character or the creature the character touches to move and attack normally for the duration of the spell, even under the influence of magic that usually impedes movement.

The spell also allows a character to move and attack normally while underwater, even with cutting weapons and with bludgeoning weapons provided that the weapon is wielded in the hand rather than hurled. The freedom of movement spell does not, however, allow water breathing.

I'd rule that it would allow to you attack/cast spells/etc normally and without penalty while grappled, but would not allow you to automatically break the grapple. Though, I'd probably allow circumstance bonus to any grapple check made to break a pin, or exit the grapple.

 

[Brekki]

The freedom of movement spell has nothing to do with, and no influence on grappling.

 

[Lord Ben]

Well, at least we're all in agreement! What's the sages email?

 

[Lord Ben]

It has to do something, but I don't think it allows you to just run away. Walls impede movment, but freedom of movement doesn't affect that. You can move through water fine, but you can't just run out of a cage that is trapping you. Is grappling more like a cage or more like water?

 

[Stalker0]

while we're on the subject, does freedom of movement ward against tanglefoot bag entanglement?

 

[Lord Ben]

It'll at least give you no penalty, but I don't know if you could still get stuck to the floor.