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Three questions on Flesh to Stone (3E)

Discussion in 'Dungeons & Dragons + Other RPGs' started by Oaz, Aug 24, 2003.

  1. Oaz Gems: 29/31
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    I had this thoughtly recently. I'll quote the SRD for convenience's sake:

    The interpretation of this spell seems to be that where there was flesh (and clothing, weapons, etc.), there is just stone. No extra stone is created, the stone appears because it has been transmuted that way. If that's the case, wouldn't the statue fall down and break? After all, I don't believe the the feet and legs, if completely rigid, will be able to up hold itself, even on a perfect flat surface.

    So the thing is, should the spell be interpreted as it was (that the statue is upright) or more "realistically?"

    Another question: The target reads, "one creature." Does this mean that the spell can't be targeted versus, say, a corpse to make it a statue? It seems like a contraction versus the interpretation of the spell, although the rules state otherwise.

    One last question: Going back to the question. It reads, "one creature", implying that it can affect a human, a medusa, a balor, and so on. However, it seems odd (interpretation-wise) that this spell should be able to affect something such as a shambling mound or an assassin vine. Do plant-like creatures (as those examples) count as flesh?

    (I am such a nerd for asking this.)

    [ August 24, 2003, 04:16: Message edited by: Oaz ]
     
    Oaz, Aug 24, 2003
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  2. Mesmero

    Mesmero How'd an old elf get the blues?

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    First of all, science and D&D don't mix. If you think to hard about it, almost everything in D&D will sound unrealistic.

    On your first quesion. There is the possibiliy of the legs snapping, because of the weight of the torso and head. The statue is probably more likely to fall over because of the weight of the backpack that is probably carried by the character.

    I think the spell can be used on a corpse. The thing about the creature not being dead, is only stated for if the spell is used on a living person (which is more likely to be happen).

    As for your third question. The spell also affects everything that the target carries with him, so that means the spell isn't limited to only flesh. I think this is one of those cases that the DM must decide whether or not a plant is affected. If one of the players in my campaign would use this spell, I wouldn't let it affect plants.
     
    Mesmero, Aug 24, 2003
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  3. Volsung Gems: 14/31
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    I think the third question is pointless. I mean, you have the answer in front of you:

    So a plant cannot be affected.

    But if a -flesh- creature carries a plant it will turn into stone because it's the creature's possession:

     
    Volsung, Aug 30, 2003
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