Of Elementals & Stink Clouds

[Grifton]

Hello fellow gamers,

Okay here's a question for you guys. Recently, as a DM, I assaulted my adventuring party with an Air Elemental. Something I should learn not do because everytime I do I significiantly damage them (if not wipe some members out)!

Any hoo, I digress. At one point, the party's mage, casted Stinking Cloud on the Elemental. According to the MM, Elementals don't suffer from poison and don't breathe. So I said it had no effect.

The mage said "Nay! Nowhere in the spell description does it say the spell is either a poison or require the individual be breathing."

I countered with the arguement that while the spell may not specifically say those things it does hint at them (ex. spell components include rotten egg & skunk cabbage).

Of course my decsion was final, much to the dismay of the mage.

So, who was right in this scenario, the DM or the Player?

 

[IamTheTest]

DM is always 'right'. My DMing style is a little different than most I suppose...Ill let just about anything work if its creative or seems to be cool. I like the idea of high action. I suppose you could call me a Complete Scoundrel DM.

 

[Rhun]

I would have ruled it the same way that you did.

 

[Nifft]

I think you did the right thing.

Here's the definition of Nausea:

Nauseated

Experiencing stomach distress. Nauseated creatures are unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move action per turn.

... and I'd rule that anything which doesn't eat is immune to stomach distress. (Note that undead don't mention being immune to nausea either.)

Cheers, -- N

 

[blargney the second]

I think you got it right - your judgement feels fair on this one.

 

[boolean]

(Note that undead don't mention being immune to nausea either.)

Most of the things that cause nausea are Fort saves (that don't affect objects). So, undead (and constructs) are immune anyway. RAW, oozes and plants (and elementals) are still affected.

Personally, I HR that 'Stinking Cloud' = poison. It makes all of the above types immune to it, and allows a few more ways to defend against it. It also makes Dretches immune to their own ability, making it a little more useful.

However, for an on-the-spot ruling like that I would have informed the player of the change, and allowed them to choose a different action.

 

[Grifton]

However, for an on-the-spot ruling like that I would have informed the player of the change, and allowed them to choose a different action.

I gave him a chance to know. Originally I asked him to make a Knowledge-Planes roll, but he didn't have that skill. Than I gave him the chance to use a Knowledge-Arcana roll, but at a slightly higher DC. Unfortunately he failed the roll.

Thanks for input guys!

 

[Grifton]

Oh, and I did allow him to change the spell out for another of the same level because he figured the spell was now useless (in part this was also due to a bad call I made a moment later with the same spell).

 

[Nifft]

Most of the things that cause nausea are Fort saves (that don't affect objects).

Same thing for Stunning -- it's always a Fort save, and doesn't apply to objects. Still, undead have it as one of the specific effects they ignore.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Lackhand]

Always a fort save, you say?