How exactly does 'Silence' work?

[Detect Magic]

Does silence mute all sound originating from within the area, or do those outside of the radius hear the noises from within?

Example: A pitched battled is being fought within the radius of a silence spell. Within the area, none of the combatants can hear anything. Outside of the area, however, there are many spectators viewing the scene. Do they hear the blades crashing into one another, or the shouting of the combatants?

[Orcadorsala]

I don't think you can hear anything even if you're outside the spell yourself.

[Darkwolf117]

Pretty sure it works like a 'dead-zone' for all sound. Any sound that goes through the area is nullified.

Quote:

...no noise whatsoever issues from, enters, or passes through the area.

[Detect Magic]

Ah, I see. Perhaps I was over-thinking this one. That quote pretty much sums it up.

Thanks, guys.

[blue_the_wolf]

best counter spell EVAR!!!

ok second best but still damn good ^_^

[seebs]

blue_the_wolf wrote:

best counter spell EVAR!!!

ok second best but still damn good ^_^

Huh, that's a crazy thought:

Can you ready Silence for use that way?

"If an enemy starts casting a spell with verbal components, I cast silence."

Does this work? I seem to recall once being told that a readied spell could interrupt a quickened spell (even though that's presumably faster), so the readied action takes effect before the other spell does. At which point it's silenced.

[Troubleshooter]

I don't see why not. I'm surprised to find that it can be cast on an area and has a really long Range -- I thought it was only object touched.

[Starglim]

seebs wrote:

blue_the_wolf wrote:

best counter spell EVAR!!!

ok second best but still damn good ^_^

Huh, that's a crazy thought:

Can you ready Silence for use that way?

Silence has a casting time of one round. You can ready to begin casting silence (standard action to begin a full-round action) but, unless the enemy caster's spell also has a one-round casting time, it won't do what you want.

[Jiggy]

Starglim wrote:

Silence has a casting time of one round.

Aw, crap. Totally missed that. Guess it isn't my favorite spell anymore. :/

[Fromper]

Jiggy wrote:

Starglim wrote:

Silence has a casting time of one round.

Aw, crap. Totally missed that. Guess it isn't my favorite spell anymore. :/

Right there with ya.

I recently had a similar experience finding out that Sleep has a full round casting time, so it's no longer my favorite spell for a low level wizard/sorcerer. How did I not notice these things?