My party is about to encounter Alastor Land, and I need a little guidance on handling etherealness.
According to the adventure, Alastor observes the PCs from the etheral plane. However, it then states that he speaks, and the PCs can hear his words.
Looking in the DMG, p. 293, a creature who is etheral is considered "inaudiable . . . to creatures on the Material plane." This seemes to imply that Alastor's words could not be heard by the players.
It's a minor aspect o fthe encounter, and perhaps not worth bickering about for the atmosphere it provides, or not so vital that it couldn't be emliminated altogether.
I just wasn't sure if three was something in the Ghost description that allows them to be heard on the material plane? I don't have my MM with me at the moment . . .
Shidara
My guess would be that he manifested onto the Prime Material plane before talking - In that state, he's no longer etheral but still incorporeal...
Check your MM, I know it is talked about in there...
My guess would be that he manifested onto the Prime Material plane before talking - In that state, he's no longer etheral but still incorporeal...
Unfortunately, the adventure states that that Land comments on their fighting skills from the ethereal plane, and that "his childish giggles . . . seem to come from the walls."
I'm guessing it's just an oversight by the author for effect. I'll probably keep it as is, simply because it makes for great atmosphere. I'll call it a special abiloity of ghosts to "haunt" an area if I'm ever challenged by my players on it.
Chris
Eh, just have him be incorporeal in the wall and call it a day...
Creative Director
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Ghosts are one of those creatures in D&D whose abilities can wildly vary from one to the next. Additionally, the concept of an unseen ghost whispering and making noises even when you can't see or hear it has a long-standing tradition in literature; this is one case where I'm tended to offer the advice to "Ignore the rules for the sake of flavor."
In other words, Land's giggles and whispers can be heard in the Material Plane while he's unseen (be he ethereal or simply incoporeal; remember that being ethereal and being incoporeal are NOT the same thing).
this is one case where I'm tended to offer the advice to "Ignore the rules for the sake of flavor."
In other words, Land's giggles and whispers can be heard in the Material Plane while he's unseen (be he ethereal or simply incoporeal; remember that being ethereal and being incoporeal are NOT the same thing).
Yup, that's just what I'm gonna do. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't some obscure rule or fact about ghosts I was missing.
Thanks for the help.