Teleportation at level 1

[Ryujin]

Is it really that tough to imprison a creature that can change shape, to something of the same size? Wonder Twins Powers activate! Form of a.... well, basically me.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Or a fairly sizeable snake...or octopus...a chimp...predatory great cat...

(assuming you weigh about 200lbs)

Depending on the nature of the enclosure, those creatures have abilities that would make it easier for them to escape than a human.

Snakes can climb pretty well, and could probably slither through bars meant to contain humanoids. They're also decent swimmers. This would be a large boa or small anaconda or python.

Octopi can survive on land for brief periods of time (about 1/2 hour or so), and can squeeze through any opening larger than their beak...about the size of a quarter for most species. A great pacific octopus can be 200lbs, and something like 20' across, arm tip to arm tip. Even if he couldn't get through the bars entirely, he may be able to reach the keys...

A chimp is a much better climber, and pound for pound is much stronger than a human. A chimp may be able to bend prison bars just enough to escape.

A great cat could make jumps that Olympic jumpers couldn't hope to match- from a standing position, mountain lions (@180 lbs) can jump a vertical distance of up to 15 feet and a horizontal distance of 40 feet. They are also fast and quiet.

 

[1of3]

Simple houserule: You cannot teleport, polymorph or phase while bound in irons.

Solves the problem, classic, too.

 

[Ryujin]

Or a fairly sizeable snake...or octopus...a chimp...predatory great cat...

(assuming you weigh about 200lbs)

Depending on the nature of the enclosure, those creatures have abilities that would make it easier for them to escape than a human.

Snakes can climb pretty well, and could probably slither through bars meant to contain humanoids. They're also decent swimmers. This would be a large boa or small anaconda or python.

Octopi can survive on land for brief periods of time (about 1/2 hour or so), and can squeeze through any opening larger than their beak...about the size of a quarter for most species. A great pacific octopus can be 200lbs, and something like 20' across, arm tip to arm tip. Even if he couldn't get through the bars entirely, he may be able to reach the keys...

A chimp is a much better climber, and pound for pound is much stronger than a human. A chimp may be able to bend prison bars just enough to escape.

A great cat could make jumps that Olympic jumpers couldn't hope to match- from a standing position, mountain lions (@180 lbs) can jump a vertical distance of up to 15 feet and a horizontal distance of 40 feet. They are also fast and quiet.

And that would be all well and good, if it wasn't for one little statement in the Wild Shape description; "You choose a specific form whenever you use wild shape, and that form has no effect on your game statistics or movement modes."

 

[ForeverSlayer]

In all honesty, how does an Eladrin Teleport out of manacles anyway? If this was the case then wouldn't the Eladrin be leaving his clothes, armor and anything else he was wearing behind every time he teleports?

If the Eladrin was chained to the wall I would rule that he couldn't teleport. If he is wrapped in manacles but not chained to the wall I would allow the teleport but he would still be wearing the manacles.

 

[ForeverSlayer]

Simple houserule: You cannot teleport, polymorph or phase while bound in irons.

Solves the problem, classic, too.

I could see using polymorph to make yourself smaller and just slip out of the irons, but it doesn't say anywhere that you are able to choose what you take with you or what you leave behind when you teleport.

 

[mkill]

I can't think of an adventure plot that involves a prison without the PCs breaking out at some point...

Anyway. It's a fantasy world. Fantasy world prisons should have some kind of permanent enchantment that blocks magic. After all, there is not only teleportation, there are also charm spells, rust monster summons and who knows what PCs come up with ...

 

[ForeverSlayer]

Better yet! Just wrap the Eladrin in manacles that are chained to the wall with 10 feet of slack. What this does is it removes the immobilized condition and the Eladrin can't teleport out because this gives the Eladrin the chance to leave it's space to go into another.

 

[Klaus]

In all honesty, how does an Eladrin Teleport out of manacles anyway? If this was the case then wouldn't the Eladrin be leaving his clothes, armor and anything else he was wearing behind every time he teleports?

If the Eladrin was chained to the wall I would rule that he couldn't teleport. If he is wrapped in manacles but not chained to the wall I would allow the teleport but he would still be wearing the manacles.

By the rules of teleportation, if he is manacled to a wall, the manacles stay behind. If he is manacled, but these aren't fixed anywhere, the manacles teleport with him.

 

[Ryujin]

By the rules of teleportation, if he is manacled to a wall, the manacles stay behind. If he is manacled, but these aren't fixed anywhere, the manacles teleport with him.

I would agree with this interpretation, based on rules regarding grab/immobilize.