Antilife shell, and other abjurations

[TheGogmagog]

Antilife shell creates a 10' emination that prevents the entrance of (living creatures). If I cast the antilife shell with a living creature within 5' or 10' of me does
a) the spell fails because I am forcing the barrier against a creature the spell keeps at bay.
b) the shell does not affect the creature while inside the 10' barrier, but once they leave they are barred from re-entering.
c) the creature can only move farther away i.e. from 5' to 10', but cannot move closer again.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Assuming the creature does not have SR or you made your SR check, I'd choose 'B'.

 

[Gantros]

I guess this depends on whether you think it should behave like a shell (as the name implies) or a field (as the description states). A shell implies a barrier, while a field implies an effect that permeates an entire area. I'd say shell, since the spell is also described as an "abjuration barrier" later in the description.

So if we assume the spell creates a shell that prevents passage inward, but not outward (since the description only explicitly states that it prevents entrance), that basically lines up with b). However, that then begs the question of what should happen if only part of a creature (e.g. an appendage) leaves the shell and then tries to re-enter...

For simplicity, I'd go a bit beyond what is stated in the description and interpret the effect as an infinitely thin barrier that prevents passage in either direction, thus trapping inside any living creatures entirely within the area of effect when the spell is cast.

 

[TheGogmagog]

After further thought: We have in the spell description block (RAW) that it's an emination. Emination is like a burst except it continues to radiate out for the duration of the spell [p175]. This puts me in mind of a magnetic field, or radiating light.

Then we have the 'flavor text' terms:
'energy Field', again puts me in mind of magnetic field.
'hedges out', a hedge or hedge row is a fence made of hedges, more of a linear barrier. I did think that hedges out would be like pushes out, but I have not found a dictionary to support that version.
'forcing the barrier', this is actually more critical since it is the sentence that describes the condition upon which the spell fails. But barrier is not defined in game terms, so we turn to the dictionary: 1)A structure or object that impedes free movement 2) Any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective. 1 sounds like a fence, 2 sounds like the magnetic field.

So in the body of the spell, we have one term that leads us one way, one that leads us the other, and the condition that could mean either. But we have the defined subschool that indicates the continious field.

And to nail the coffin shut, we compare to blade barrier. As an example of what they would have done if they meant for it to be a wall it specifies a wall in the effect.

Although I'm disapointed for my planned use, I think it's A)

 

[TheGogmagog]

I hate when I answer my own question. Especially when I don't like the answer.

 

[the Jester]

I tend to think the spell fails, too.

 

[Gantros]

Seems odd to me that you would answer your own question by interpreting an ambiguous description in a way that you don't like :\

The "field" interpretation opens up a can of worms. Actually, it would only take a single worm anywhere within 10 feet of the caster to prevent the spell from functioning. That pretty much rules out using the spell in all but the most barren of outdoor environments. It also means it can't be used to protect your allies, familiars, etc. which further limits its usefulness. That all seems rather harsh, given that none of it is explicitly stated in the spell description.

An Emanation describes an area of effect, but defers to the spell's description on how the effect behaves. Blade Barrier is not an Abjuration, so it's not a good point of reference. Some other spells that are Abjurations and Emanations, such as Anitmagic Field and Repulsion, specifically state in their descriptions that they operate on everything within their radius. Repel Vermin, on the other hand, is an Abjuration/Emanation whose description states that it only causes damage to vermin when they try to cross the barrier (i.e. it doesn't continue once they've made it inside).

So there is precedent for both types of behavior. The barrier interpretation is easier to adjudicate, keeps the spell from being nerfed, and just fits better with the idea of a "shell" as distinct from a "field". I mean, there's already an Antimagic Field... if the designers wanted this to be an Antilife Field, why wouldn't they just call it that?

 

[Infiniti2000]

Be careful about being too literal, TheGogmagog. Think about what it really means. By your interpretation, you cannot cast the spell with any of your allies close, including your animal companion. I suppose a familiar can share your spell, but wouldn't that mean that the familiar gets his own shell? That's complicated. And then, if even a single lifeform exists within the radius, the spell fails. Now, the DM has to determine the location of insects, etc.? The spell would basically fail all the time except when you cast it alone in a clean room. But, hey, don't move either just in case a flea is over in the next square.

I'm not trying to be snarky, just pointing out that reading too pedantically into some of the word choices is a bad idea. Obviously, the above is a little ridiculous and I stand by my initial assertion that it's 'B'. 'C' is also acceptable, but quite honestly that description is explicitly given for repulsion. 'A' is just not an option IMO because it leads to the above ridiculousness.