This question is derived from this tread, which I posted here not to derail the other one.
Beyond the obvious that is stated in the description of the Sanctuary spell, what happens to the warded creature? (and by extension to a hide from undead/animal/vermin recipient)
Perhaps more appropriately since it allows a Will save, what happens to the warded creature's onlooker?
'findel
I don't think anything at all. Creatures that attempt to attack the warded creature and fail their will save inexplicably find themself unable to strike at it or cast their spell.
And with Hide from X, it's perfectly explained in the spell description as well. The affected creatures are unable to sense the warded character at all. It gets a bit vague when it comes to interacting with the environment, as the spells don't exactly mention that. I would say that would see footprints appearing in the snow, water splashing by itself, door opening, and twigs snapping. Intelligent undead are explicitly mentioned to be able to attack squares which they suspect to be the location of something hidden. As the other targets of these spells all have Int none, 1 or 2, this indicates that they don't have the ability to read these clues, that something is walking around there.
Simple version: If you try to attack the warded creature and you fail your will save you are unable to attack him for the duration of the spell.
With the hide from undead situation it also affect intelligent undead, but they get a will save.
Simple version: If you try to attack the warded creature and you fail your will save you are unable to attack him for the duration of the spell.
That much I get, but I'd like you to define unable.
Is the attacker aware that the creature is there, or did it 'forgot' about the warded creature?
Is the Sanctuary spell similar to Vampire The Masquerade/Requiem's Obfuscate discipline, i.e. is the warded creature somehow 'ignored' by the attacker?
If so, to what extent is the warded creature ignored? Although the description says that the warded creature is still affected indirectly, can you attack the defender indirectly on purpose (with an AoE spell for example), or should indirect be read as accidental?
Also if the spell effectively affects the other (more than the defender itself) and allows a Will save, how come it isn't a mind-affecting spell?
Is it on the contrary a physical ward, preventing the movement of the attacker, or 'disconnecting' the thought of attacking (although the latter would suggest a mind-affecting spell).
'findel
Simple version: If you try to attack the warded creature and you fail your will save you are unable to attack him for the duration of the spell.That much I get, but I'd like you to define unable.
Is the attacker aware that the creature is there, or did it 'forgot' about the warded creature?
Is the Sanctuary spell similar to Vampire The Masquerade/Requiem's Obfuscate discipline, i.e. is the warded creature somehow 'ignored' by the attacker?
If so, to what extent is the warded creature ignored? Although the description says that the warded creature is still affected indirectly, can you attack the defender indirectly on purpose (with an AoE spell for example), or should indirect be read as accidental?
Also if the spell effectively affects the other (more than the defender itself) and allows a Will save, how come it isn't a mind-affecting spell?
Is it on the contrary a physical ward, preventing the movement of the attacker, or 'disconnecting' the thought of attacking (although the latter would suggest a mind-affecting spell).
'findel
The affected creature knows the caster is there. He is just unwilling to attack him directly anyway*. I do agree that it should be mind affecting or the flavor should be changed so that a forcefield of some sort should surround the caster.
*The warded creature can still be attacked by AoE's per the spell description.
Barbarian raises sword to cleric. Starts to swing. Fails will save
Barbarian "arrrgh! he's too holy! i can't do it!"
(or too scary if its an evil cleric)