Hold Person vs Boots of Flying

[Ender_3]

We have a situation where Hold Person was cast on one of the party members while he was flying about with his boots of flying.

The text of the spell reads...

The subject freezes in place, standing helpless. He is aware and breathes normally, but cannot take any physical actions, even speech. He can, however, execute purely mental actions.

The boots of flying have the description as per the fly spell, and the Fly spell says "Using the fly spell requires as much concentration as walking, so the subject can attack or cast spells normally.

So the question comes up, can this player still fly around, even though his body is frozen in place?

 

[Maitre Du Donjon]

Edited back to my first answer: you can't fly, but I wouldn't make you fall either.

Maitre D

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Yes, the character can still move as per the fly spell (doesn't require anything except minimal concentration; no need to move feet or flap arms to move, so Hold doesn't do anything about it). The only problem is that they're stuck in their superman pose until the hold wears off. But that can't prevent the flying character from flying behind a building and finding somewhere to hide until he's able to move again.

 

[rhammer2]

I disagree, it takes as much effort as walking. You can't move while you are held. You wouldn't fall because the spell allows you to hover if you are not actively trying to move.

Yes, the character can still move as per the fly spell (doesn't require anything except minimal concentration; no need to move feet or flap arms to move, so Hold doesn't do anything about it). The only problem is that they're stuck in their superman pose until the hold wears off. But that can't prevent the flying character from flying behind a building and finding somewhere to hide until he's able to move again.

 

[Firzair]

Hi everybody,
sure he can fly as this is purely by mental command, no physical actions needed.
The rules allow a held caster to cast a silent teleport, so why shouldn't he be able to concentrate on flying (which requires the same amount of concentration as walking)?

Greetings
Firzair

 

[Bauglir]

Hold Person is a mind influencing effect - the target is not physically restrained, but mentally compelled not to move.

As such items that allow different forms of movement should not bypass this effect.

*IMO*

 

[LokiDR]

I recall an example of a beholder being held, but still able to fly.

Controling the fly spell is a mental action. Hold does not interfer with mental actions. You can still use the fly effect.

 

[Zogg]

I'll put in a vote that a held person with boots of flying cannot continue to fly. Essentially he stops where he is and hovers there until the spell ends or he is killed like the low-wisdom dumbass that he is.

 

[Belbarrus]

Um, Bauglir is correct. Hold Person IS a *mind-affecting* spell. Hence any mental attempts at moving are hindered. If flying with boots or spell requires "mental" commands, the mind-influencing effect of the Hold Person spell prohibits this.

 

[LokiDR]

Um, Bauglir is correct. Hold Person IS a *mind-affecting* spell. Hence any mental attempts at moving are hindered. If flying with boots or spell requires "mental" commands, the mind-influencing effect of the Hold Person spell prohibits this.

False. If you had cast Telekinisis on yourself, you could concentrate on the spell to move yourself. The spell compels you to not move your body. A spell is not your body, hence the hold does not apply.