Rules Question: Can you use Phase Door while within a Dimensional Lock?

[airwalkrr]

Simple question. The nature is such that Dimensional Lock prevents ethereal movement, but Phase Door creates an ethereal space through which one can move while still material, which is technically not ethereal movement. But one might also argue that no such ethereal space can be created. The Dimensional Lock spell mentions ethereal movement, but not necessarily the creation (conjuration) on ethereal space.

Vote and comment please.

 

[Ahnehnois]

I'm inclined to say no. The wording of Dimensional Lock is quite broad. I'd say that traveling through an ethereal space constitutes "extradimensional travel into or out of the area", which "is not possible".

My question would be does it effectively block a preexisting planar portal in the area. I'd say it does that too.

 

[Nagol]

It probably creates the ethereal passage still, but you can't access it. Entering the passage probably does count as extra-dimensional travel as you are going ethereal momentarily which is why phase spiders can follow with ease.

 

[airwalkrr]

Only two votes huh?

Here's why I am asking. I am towards the end of running Shackled City and there's a half mile radius dimensional lock inside one of the final dungeons (probably intended as a plot device to keep the PCs and NPCs from just teleporting in or out). But perhaps in a moment of oversight, the adventure describes one of the NPCs having phase door prepared in order to escape to another room and regroup if the fight is turning against him. Just knowing the way my PCs work (much like a blunt instrument without much foreplanning), I doubt they will find a quick way to incapacitate the guy. So unless they get a lucky crit or manage to get set up for a full attack (in which case several of them can do serious damage), the NPC will likely resort to that tactic. But my PCs are well aware of the dimensional lock effect (much to the chagrin of the heir of House Orien). They know the rules well enough that they might start crying foul if I allow such a thing to happen. The wizard never fails to roll spellcraft when the bad guys cast a spell. So I want to know if I should come up with a contingency plan or just swap the spell for something else (like limited wish) or let the guy die.

 

[Nagol]

I'd probably change it with a Meld with Stone variant that allows exit from other surfaces.

 

[billd91]

I'm inclined to say no as well. Phase door isn't enumerated as one of the spells affected by the dimensional lock, but if the lock prevents non-ethereal creatures from moving through gates, then I figure it should prevent the non-ethereal wizard from going through a phase door too.

 

[sheadunne]

Phase door works just fine inside a dimensional lock. You are not engaging in extradimensional travel. You are not using a blocked form of extradimensional movement. You are creating a tunnel. All the other spells specifically mention traveling. Phase door is not a movement spell. It's a creation spell. You can cast the spell without ever engaging in any type of movement and don't have to actually go anywhere, unlike the other spells on the list.

 

[Greenfield]

Dimensional Lock blocks all extra dimensional travel. Phase Door is described as an Ethereal passage.

Seems quite cut and dried to me. Phase Door is using Ethereal space, so either the passage can't be created, or it can't be entered.

Substitute a Passwall and live with it. Have the caster close it after him using a Dispel effect, ejecting any who would follow in one direction or another. It's a way to split the party, and divide the battle into two manageable pieces.

 

[airwalkrr]

I was thinking of substituting passwall. He wouldn't even need to cast dispel magic as passwall is dismissible.

 

[airwalkrr]

Although limited wish actually seems like a better option if he says "I wish I were in X room." It's a relatively simple effect and since it's a wish, it doesn't necessarily have to involve extra dimensional travel to get him there.