A burst spell affects whatever it catches in its area, including creatures that you can’t see. It can’t affect creatures with total cover from its point of origin (in other words, its effects don’t extend around corners). The default shape for a burst effect is a sphere, but some burst spells are specifically described as cone-shaped. A burst’s area defines how far from the point of origin the spell’s effect extends.
A spread spell extends out like a burst but can turn corners. You select the point of origin, and the spell spreads out a given distance in all directions. Figure the area the spell effect fills by taking into account any turns the spell effect takes.
Effect webs in a 20-ft.-radius spread
Web creates a many-layered mass of strong, sticky strands. These strands trap those caught in them. The strands are similar to spiderwebs but far larger and tougher. These masses must be anchored to two or more solid and diametrically opposed points or else the web collapses upon itself and disappears. Creatures caught within a web become grappled by the sticky fibers. Attacking a creature in a web doesn’t cause you to become grappled.
Alright, now the question is this:
How many anchoring points are required and where can they be located?
Example 1: A pair of stone pillars are 15' apart (smaller than the diameter of the web).
1a) Can a web be created between them?
1b) Will the web be a 20' radius or a 15' line between the two pillars?
1c) If the web is a 20' radius where is it centered? (The center between the two pillars?)
Example 2: A pair of pillars are 40' apart (the same distance as the diameter of the web).
2a) Can a web be created between them?
2b) Will the web be a 40' diameter or a 40' line between the two pillars?
- Gauss
My read of it gives the following answers:
1a) Yes
1b) 15' line
1c) redundant question due to 1b).
2a) Yes
2b) 40' line.
Having said that, in question 1), I would probably be generous and allow the web to also spread around the pillars in a 5' area as well, to represent the draping that the webs would do between the pillars and the floor, but that's me being generous, rather than anything explicit in the spell description.
Chemlak, you bring up a good point, the anchoring points can be from up high down to the ground at an angle (the ground is a pretty solid anchor). That actually supports the radius being from two pillars. Could even use 1 single pillar and have it anchor webs to the ground at a distance of 20' around it. (Like a tent). That solves the conundrum.
- Gauss