Grappling Travelling Clerics

Dursk Starkfire

First Post
So, clerics who subscribe to the travel domain get "freedom of movement" as per the spell for x rounds per cleric level...

From the SRD:

Granted Powers: For a total time per day of 1 round per cleric level you possess, you can act normally regardless of magical effects that impede movement as if you were affected by the spell freedom of movement. This effect occurs automatically as soon as it applies, lasts until it runs out or is no longer needed, and can operate multiple times per day (up to the total daily limit of rounds).
This granted power is a supernatural ability.

Does this mean, that the cleric is essentially immune to grapple attempts n times per day?

From the SRD:
Freedom of Movement
Abjuration
Level: Brd 4, Clr 4, Drd 4, Luck 4, Rgr 4
Components: V, S, M, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal or touch
Target: You or creature touched
Duration: 10 min./level
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
This spell enables you or a creature you touch to move and attack normally for the duration of the spell, even under the influence of magic that usually impedes movement, such as paralysis, solid fog, slow, and web. The subject automatically succeeds on any grapple check made to resist a grapple attempt, as well as on grapple checks or Escape Artist checks made to escape a grapple or a pin.
The spell also allows the subject to move and attack normally while underwater, even with slashing weapons such as axes and swords or with bludgeoning weapons such as flails, hammers, and maces, provided that the weapon is wielded in the hand rather than hurled. The freedom of movement spell does not, however, allow water breathing.
Material Component: A leather thong, bound around the arm or a similar appendage.
 

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IMHO, it is debatable. In 3.0e, Freedom of Movement spell were just mentioning about "magic that usually impedes movement". And the granted power of Travel domain were also just mentioning about "magical effects".

Now, in 3.5e, they have added the sentence about "grappling" in the spell's description. On the other hand, the descriptive text of the granted power seems to be a simple copy from older edition.

I think the intention of the designer is to give same benefit from Freedom of Movement spell to clerics of travel domain. But we need to wait for some clarification.
 

Why do we need clarification on something already clear?

Seriously, the travel domain is already one of the best of the bunch, now you want it to automatically make you immune to grapples?

I intend to leave it as written and not throw that domain another bone. YMMV.
 

Why do we need clarification on something already clear?

because those who took the travel domain so that they would be immune to grapples aren't going to see reason until they see it errataed (and maybe not then, since it would nerf travel :cool: )

DC
 

DreamChaser said:


because those who took the travel domain so that they would be immune to grapples aren't going to see reason until they see it errataed (and maybe not then, since it would nerf travel :cool: )

DC

OK, two points:

a) Anyone who took Travel to be immune to grapples did it in error. THis is the same in 3.0 as in 3.5. The wording has never allowed for it.

b) Nerfed?! You have to be joking. Travel is, even without a domain power, is one of the best domains. Having access to all those arcane spells is an extremely potent advantage.

---

And lest I start hearing the usual rally cries of, "oh yeah? how do you know? have you played it?", I'll say this:

We are currently on the cusp of hitting 20th level in our 3+ year long 3e campaign. We started at first level shortly after the game came out. One of the characters is a cleric with the Travel domain and it has been one of the biggest boons to not only himself but the group as a whole. And he doesn't get to ignore grapples, either.

Yes, Travel domain rocks.
 

I think the intent is to grant the full effect of the spell. But thats all conjecture.

But, Corwin if you want to read things literally then the Druid can cast Entangle on the Owl Bear and the grappled Travel Cleric. As soon as the Cleric has his movement impeded by magical means he can use his freedom of movement which will thus allow him to escape from the grapple.
 

I don't see how your example holds (pun intended ;)).

Sure, the travelling cleric can ignore the entangle, but what does that have to do with him escaping the Owlbear? He is still grappled by a non-magical means.

If a rogue were grappled by an Owlbear and a wizard fireballs them, does the rogue escape the monster if his Evasion succeeds in preventing the fireball damage? No. Likewise, with the cleric, IMO. - (I know this is a silly example, I'm just playin' around :))

Again, the domain power clearly states that it allows the cleric to avoid magical effects that hamper movement. This ability works similar to freedom of movement. That's it. That's all. It specifically does not say the cleric is under the effects of the freedom of movement spell. To quote directly...

"Granted Power: For a total time per day of 1 round per cleric level you possess, you can act normally regardless of magical effects that impede movement as if you were affected by the spell freedom of movement. This effect occurs automatically as soon as it applies, lasts until it runs out or is no longer needed, and can operate multiple times per day (up to the total daily limit of rounds).
This granted power is a supernatural ability."


Not only is it "as if", but it is conditional (triggers when a magical effect applies) and works only against said magical effects.
 
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