Sanctuary spell in a Grapple

[Felnar]

after a long break, i'm back playing again
felt real rusty on rules

In our first adventure back an owlbear was grappling the barbarian, and after a couple rounds of him failing escape grapple checks, the cleric cast Sanctuary on him. I wasnt sure what to do, and ended up letting him escape the grapple after the owlbear failed a willpower save. (which worked out well because the party was only three 2nd level PCs, only the cleric on nightwatch was wearing armor, and an owlbear is CR 4)

so how should Sanctuary 've worked in this situtation?
should the barbarian have gotten away?
thanks, Felnar

 

[RigaMortus2]

I am not positive how this should work, but I would have ruled it as you did.

 

[Legildur]

Let's look at the relevant rules. From the SRD, Sanctuary says the following:

Any opponent attempting to strike or otherwise directly attack the warded creature, even with a targeted spell, must attempt a Will save..... If the save fails, the opponent can’t follow through with the attack, that part of its action is lost, and it can’t directly attack the warded creature for the duration of the spell..... The subject cannot attack without breaking the spell but may use nonattack spells or otherwise act.

So the spell affects attacks. Grapple is listed under the "Special Attacks" heading and the opposed "grapple check is like a melee attack roll". Note that it doesn't actually come out and call it an attack (although there is a melee touch attack to start the grab, or, as in this case, there is the Imrpoved Grab ability, which starts off from a successful attack).

The PHB glossary says that an attack is "Any of numerous actions intended to harm, disable, or neutralize an opponent." The opposed grapple check certainly fits that criteria.

Therefore I would say that the Sanctuary spell would have prevented the owlbear from attacking, or grappling, the barbarian. However, the barbarian would not be able to use a grapple check to escape the grapple on his turn, as this would be an attack and break the spell. Of course, use of the Escape Artist skill would be just fine, as would waiting for the owlbear to let go and move onto another target.

 

[Vegepygmy]

The PHB glossary says that an attack is "Any of numerous actions intended to harm, disable, or neutralize an opponent." The opposed grapple check certainly fits that criteria.

Therefore I would say that the Sanctuary spell would have prevented the owlbear from attacking, or grappling, the barbarian. However, the barbarian would not be able to use a grapple check to escape the grapple on his turn, as this would be an attack and break the spell.

How would escaping from the grapple "harm, disable, or neutralize" the owlbear?

 

[Legildur]

How would escaping from the grapple "harm, disable, or neutralize" the owlbear?

You're probably right. I was only looking at it from the point of it being a "like a melee attack roll".

 

[Felnar]

thanks for the replies
Sanctuary seems like a decent way to escape a grapple
does anyone have anything else to add?

 

[Crothian]

does anyone have anything else to add?

Give that play extra XP, great use of the spell.