Maybe this should be an Ask the Sage. I've not found a satisfactory answer to the question. I'll post the part of the Enlarge Person spell in question first, then ask my question.
All equipment worn or carried by a creature is similarly enlarged by the spell.
This text does not make clear if the effect of equipment worn or carried applies only when the spell is cast, or if it applies to all equipment worn or carried by an enlarged creature at any point during the spell's duration. I've heard arguments made about the tenses of the verb in this sentence, but I see no compelling linguistic argument to suggest a time frame on the effect of enlarging equipment.
To phrase this in the form of a question:
What happens when an enlarged human picks up a medium longsword? Does it stay medium, or does it become large while the spell is in effect?
As a complete aside, is an intelligent weapon immune to this effect? Does it get a fortitude save if it does not want to enlarge?
Isn't there a line of the spell description that states if something leaves the possession of the target, it reverts back to its natural size?
In any case, I rule that only things that were in your possesion at the time of the casting are enlarged (or reduced as the case may be). Whether or not that is a houserule or an actual Sage ruling I'm not 100% sure, but I believe its official.
The sword stays medium. If a wild-shaped druid or polymorphed wizard picks up an item, does that item meld into their body like their gear did at the time of casting? Nope.
An intelligent weapon is treated as a sentient construct (see beginning of itelligent items section in DMG) -- it would be allowed a Fort save to resist the enlarge if it wanted to resist.
Thanks for the input. The wild shape/polymorph thing is the best argument I've heard.
If the sword (an intelligent construct) can be affected by the spell, can an unconscious warforged which is carried by the target of the spell also be affected? (I'd rule no, but why not?)
Thanks for the input. The wild shape/polymorph thing is the best argument I've heard.
If the sword (an intelligent construct) can be affected by the spell, can an unconscious warforged which is carried by the target of the spell also be affected? (I'd rule no, but why not?)
I don't think an intelligent sword is a "construct" per se, although an adventure in current issue of Dungeon treats an intelligent magic rope as one. The intelligent sword remains a magic item, and makes saving throws more or less along the same lines that a potion or a magic cloak does. A construct, despite being non-living, is a separate creature, as long as it is alive (i.e. unconscious but not dead counts as alive).
I think, here, that it is pertinent to look at the original purpose of the spell--to enlarge one character and his/her equipment for purposes of combat or feats of strength. The spell shouldn't be allowed to enlarge two characters (I'm assuming the thinking on your unconscious warforged example is that you then use more magic to revive him and send him into combat in enlarged state, alongside the other enlarged party tank). And it shouldn't be able to enlarge equipment not carried on the target at time of casting--if the enlarged character used his enhanced size and strength to pick up a large rock, would you rule that the rock suddenly doubles in size the second he picks it up?
Intelligent items can actually be considered creatures because they have Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. Treat them as constructs (see page 307 of the Monster Manual).
'Nuff said.
A bigger problem is all this "person" crap. Enlarge Person and Reduce Person should just be Enlarge and Reduce, like in older versions of the game. Charm Person and Dominate Person should be Charm and Dominate, and the same as the "monster" versions (which would just be Greater Charm and Greater Dominate), except with the shorter (1 hour/level) durations. What's so special about humanoids?
I'd just change the spells to affect all creatures except Animals and Vermin. By the same token, any of the "animal" spells (Animal Growth, Animal Messenger, Dominate Animal, etc) should work on Vermin too.
If someone has the Half-Dragon template and is a medium character, they do not have wings. But Large characters with the template do have wings.
If a medium character is hit with Enlarge Person, do they grow wings and then lose them when they revert back to medium?
Creative Director
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If someone has the Half-Dragon template and is a medium character, they do not have wings. But Large characters with the template do have wings.
If a medium character is hit with Enlarge Person, do they grow wings and then lose them when they revert back to medium?
Easy Answer: No, because a half-dragon isn't a person. They can't be affected by enlarge person.
Real Answer: If you have an effect that enlarges a half-dragon, they shouldn't get wings. The template that makes them a half-dragon is already in effect, it's not a constant modifier. Being enlarged does not allow you to reapply a template.
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All equipment worn or carried by a creature is similarly enlarged by the spell....
...What happens when an enlarged human picks up a medium longsword? Does it stay medium, or does it become large while the spell is in effect?....
This may now be totally irrelevant, but when I played Against the Giants in 2nd Ed., we obtained the sword of the Frost Giant Jarl, which, obviously, was immense.
Our ranger/wizard worked out he could use it, once he was enlarged, but he had to leave it on the floor while he cast the spell, then pick it up later, at which point, it was juuust riiight.
Thanks for the input. The wild shape/polymorph thing is the best argument I've heard.
If the sword (an intelligent construct) can be affected by the spell, can an unconscious warforged which is carried by the target of the spell also be affected? (I'd rule no, but why not?)
Touche. I guess the point is that an intelligent item is both a sentient construct AND an item. It is affected along with all the other characters gear, but I would also allow it saving throw if it doesn't want to be enlarged. See Peruhain's comments about the spirit of the spell.
Just remove the type restriction and even the creatureness restriction entirely. In 1E and 2E, Enlarge and Reduce could be used to great effect on inanimate nonmagical objects; I don't see a reason why that shouldn't be the case in 3E.