Symbol of Death and sleeping character.

[pequid]

Here is the question. A agent of evil post a note on one of the parties doors where the are asleep. This note has a symbol of death on it triggered by anyone reading it. A person (NPC) walks by and reads the symbol of death activating it. Would the sleeping PC be affected by it, since they don't know its there? If they are, would they get a save?

[kikidmonkey]

I think the answer is "No" because there is no line of effect from the rune to the sleeping PC (assuming the note is pinned on the outside of the door.

A much better way for the Agent of Evil to do this would be to slide the note under the door.

[MrCab]

Symbol of Death states "When triggered, a symbol of death kills one or more creatures within 60 feet of the symbol (treat as a burst)". As a burst effect, "It can’t affect c­reatures with total cover from its point of origin (in other words, its effects don’t extend around corners)." (Chapter 9, Aiming a spell, Area section)

So nope, it won't affect the party through the door.

[pequid]

Thank you both.