Spell ranges and extradimensional spaces

[rom90125]

I have come across a situation that I do not know the answer to, so I was hoping you might have some thoughts. It has to do with spells, spell ranges and extradimensional spaces. For example, if I were to cast an alarm spell and then step inside a bag of holding would the alarm spell still be in effect if the bag of holding remained in range?

 

[frankthedm]

If the bag is closed, I'd say the mental version of the spell would fail. I think of it this way, If everything within one mile of the alarm was blown to bits, the explosion would not kill you, thus you are not within one mile, you are off an infinite distance away. You would be lost to null-space by the bags distruction, but the explosion never got to you.

Alarm
Abjuration
Level: Brd 1, Rgr 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, F/DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Area: 20-ft.-radius emanation centered on a point in space
Duration: 2 hours/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

Alarm sounds a mental or audible alarm each time a creature of Tiny or larger size enters the warded area or touches it. A creature that speaks the password (determined by you at the time of casting) does not set off the alarm. You decide at the time of casting whether the alarm will be mental or audible.

Mental Alarm
A mental alarm alerts you (and only you) so long as you remain within 1 mile of the warded area. You note a single mental “ping” that awakens you from normal sleep but does not otherwise disturb concentration. A silence spell has no effect on a mental alarm.

Audible Alarm
An audible alarm produces the sound of a hand bell, and anyone within 60 feet of the warded area can hear it clearly. Reduce the distance by 10 feet for each interposing closed door and by 20 feet for each substantial interposing wall.

In quiet conditions, the ringing can be heard faintly as far as 180 feet away. The sound lasts for 1 round. Creatures within a silence spell cannot hear the ringing.

Ethereal or astral creatures do not trigger the alarm.

Alarm can be made permanent with a permanency spell.

Arcane Focus
A tiny bell and a piece of very fine silver wire

 

[Vrecknidj]

I have come across a situation that I do not know the answer to, so I was hoping you might have some thoughts. It has to do with spells, spell ranges and extradimensional spaces. For example, if I were to cast an alarm spell and then step inside a bag of holding would the alarm spell still be in effect if the bag of holding remained in range?

In general, I'd say that something inside an extradimensional space can be pretty summarily defined as being "someplace else," and usually "someplace else" isn't in the area of effect of a spell. To make things very simple, say that "someplace else" (in this kind of case) is definitely not within the range of the spell, unless there are specific, circumstance-dependent reasons for saying so.

For example, while the bag of holding may detect as magical, any items within shouldn't show up.

But, a spell could be created that, for example, detects how many living beings are housed in an extra dimensional space. If a wizard were to cast this spell and a rope trick were in effect within the range of this new spell, this new spell would inform the wizard of the number of living beings crowded up there.

Dave