Mord's Magnificent Mansion: Questions

[Iron_Chef]

I just got this spell. What can I do with it? Looking for clever uses. Could I use it with the Stronghold Builder's Guidebook to dictate what stronghold spaces I desire the mansion to contain?

It seems to me that if I just keep renewing the spell every day, that I will have a "magnificent" unassailable mansion complete with food and servants free of charge. Why do I ever need to purchase real estate? Why would I want to? I get complete protection from all outside forces seeking entrance. Nobody can get into get me unless I allow them in! Perfect seclusion 24/7.

 

[Fredrik Svanberg]

I wouldn't bet on there not being a spell which can either dispell your mansion or a spell which allows someone else to enter your mansion. Other limitations to the mansion are that you can only bring in whatever you can carry. There's no alchemical laboratory, no library and no special equipment in the mansion. Just nicely furnished rooms.

 

[Spatzimaus]

Well, first, the mansion you get today won't be the same one as yesterday. It may have the same layout, but it won't be the same physical space, so you can't really "renew" it every day. You'd have to pack up all your belongings, step outside, recast, and then step back in. Not really as convenient as actually owning a real mansion. And that's not even including the fact that the mansion won't have the specialized amenities (labs and such) that a Wizard would want.

Second, it may not be easily accessible from the material plane, but someone could get in simply by going through whatever plane it's on. So, if someone Scrys you while you're inside, they could use Gate to get in there just fine. There are some other combinations that should work too.
For evidence of this, I point you to Piratecat's Story Hour, they had a great battle that took place when someone got into their MMM that way.
Then there's the dispelling thing.

 

[Iron_Chef]

Can't I just renew the existing spell effect while I'm inside the mansion? Believe it or not, I don't have any cool item creation feats at 13th level and never make alchemical items (I have 1 rank in Alchemy). My book collection consists of four books, which I've already memorized thanks to an absorb information spell from Dynasties & Demagogues. If I need to do anything "wizardy" I can just go to the facilities my wizard's guild provides (that's why I pay dues, lol). All I'm looking for is a portable pleasure palace where I can relax in peace whenever I want...

Why can't I get the same mansion layout each time? It says in the PHB the mansion layout is according to my whim. If my whims don't change, why should the mansion (aside from getting larger as I go up levels)?

To block scrying, I have nondetection and Mord's Private Sanctum, so no one should be able to scry on me.

 

[James McMurray]

Unfortunately, there are no rules for "renewing" spell effects. Once cast, they do what it is they do, then dissipate. If you cast the spell again, you'd get another Mansion, not a longer duration on the previous one.

That said though, your DM may allow it. Also, Tome and Blood has a cost for making Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum permanent, maybe your DM would let you make MMM permanent as well. Of course, then the entryway is also going to be at the same place on the Prime plane.

 

[Jalkain]

Can't I just renew the existing spell effect while I'm inside the mansion?

Technically it might not be allowed, but the description is a bit vague on what happens when you cast the spell, so it might be possible to simply put the same floor plan at the same place, with the occupants already inside. It certainly wouldn't be game breaking.

All I'm looking for is a portable pleasure palace where I can relax in peace whenever I want...

Son, I'm a bit concerned about your casual attitude these days. You seem to want to take it easy all the time. You just aren't interested in killing monsters and taking their stuff anymore. All the other wizards are worrying about whether their spells got 'nerfed', and whether they can out-damage the party fighter. And here's you living the high life with your friends and picking... non-combat spells.

Why couldn't you have chosen Delayed Blast Fireball and Finger of Death, like all the other 13th level wizards at your school?

 

[Iron_Chef]

Why couldn't you have chosen Delayed Blast Fireball and Finger of Death, like all the other 13th level wizards at your school?

Because they're both from my opposition schools.