Spell Duration

[airwalkrr]

I know this has to have been brought up before, but I am curious anyway. I have some questions about durations. First of all, I am assuming that when a spellcaster dies his spells typically remain in effect. However, what about the case where the target of a spell dies? For example, bull's strength works on a target creature touched. But IIRC a creature that dies becomes an object, and hence, an illegal target for the spell. Would the spell then fizzle? Or suppose a spellcaster with antimagic field or shield dies. These spells have a range of personal and their target is "you" but that doesn't change when you die.

It is relevant for several reasons. For example, a magic circle against evil or antimagic field can still have a dramatic impact on the battlefield even if the target creature is dead. In addition, if a creature is raised quickly through revivify or revenance, then it would be important to know if spells in effect at the time of death are still in effect. My inclination is to say that spells fizzle if they target a creature that dies, but I could be wrong. Does anyone know where to find the answer?

 

[Hypersmurf]

A recent answer in the FAQ, for what it's worth, notes that the 'Target' entry of a spell is only checked at casting time.

If you cast Charm Person on a hobgoblin, and then he polymorphs into an ogre (changing his type from Humanoid to Giant), he's still Charmed, because the spell remains in effect.

Similarly, a 'creature touched' by a Bull's Strength spell who dies still has a Bull's Strength spell in effect, and if he's quickly revived, the spell won't be gone.

I agree with this FAQ answer, because if one rules otherwise, spells like Shillelagh become nonsensical.

-Hyp.

 

[glass]

Similarly, a 'creature touched' by a Bull's Strength spell who dies still has a Bull's Strength spell in effect, and if he's quickly revived, the spell won't be gone.

Also, if the spell ended when he stopped being a creature, then it would also end when the caster stopped touching the target. Which wouldn't be a lot of use!


glass.