Only my fourth post so sorry in advance for any forum faux pas. The question is pretty much as above. We had a session recently where a Banshee did it's stuff I failed my save and died in a one shot. I discussed with my GM how a wail would effect a deaf person in particular a deaf cursed oracle.
School necromancy [death, sonic]; Level sorcerer/wizard 9, witch 9; Domain death 9, repose 9
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V
EFFECT
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one living creature/level within a 40-ft.-radius spread
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw Fortitude negates; Spell Resistance yes
DESCRIPTION
When you cast this spell, you emit a terrible, soul-chilling scream that possibly kills creatures that hear it (except for yourself). The spell affects up to one creature per caster level, inflicting 10 points of damage per caster level. Creatures closest to the point of origin [are affected first.
While we agree (me and my GM) it seems daft to have a deaf person dying to a sound, we could also see the possibility of damage by vibrations (sonic) etc and my GM was concerned that no part of the curse stated any immunity. Is there any RAW/RAI that we could use to support one way or another or could we get a ruling?
Thanks in Advance
Raw, it does function, because it isn't language-dependant.
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The spell says it kills creatures that hear it, and you don't hear it, so it doesn't kill you. The actual banshee doesn't say it kills people that hear, and deaf people aren't immune to all sonic effects (but they would be immune to some, like harpy's captivating song, that mention you need to hear them), so the GM has to decide whether it kills you or not. Strict RAW the creature's wail doesn't.
Thats what we thought my only issue stands now on "possibly kills creatures that hear it".
The description is short, sweet, and right to the point. The target must hear the scream to be harmed by it. If a target can't hear, it's not affected.
Thats what we thought my only issue stands now on "possibly kills creatures that hear it".
That "possibly" just addresses the fact that it does a lot of damage. That much damage can possibly kill someone.
Yeah Rogue my thoughts exactly (ty for your guides btw they help me loads)
The description is short, sweet, and right to the point. The target must hear the scream to be harmed by it. If a target can't hear, it's not affected.
I think Goznaz may have been hit by the actual banshee itself.
The description is short, sweet, and right to the point. The target must hear the scream to be harmed by it. If a target can't hear, it's not affected.I think Goznaz may have been hit by the actual banshee itself.
I see that now. I guess I'm not sure why the text of the spell was included in that case, but whatevs.
EDIT: Then again
Wail (Su) Once per minute, a banshee may wail as a full-round action. The wail lasts until the beginning of her next turn. All creatures within 40 feet of the banshee when she begins her wail, as well as all creatures that end their turn within that radius, must make a DC 23 Fortitude save. (This save is only required once per wail.) Creatures under the effects of a fear effect take a –4 penalty on this save. Creatures that make their save are sickened for 1d6 rounds. Those that fail take 140 points of damage (as if affected by a CL 14 wail of the banshee). If a wailing banshee is damaged during a wail, she must make a Will save (DC 15 + damage taken) to maintain the wail; otherwise it ends. This is a sonic death effect. Banshee wails are supernaturally powerful, and penetrate the effect of any spell of 3rd level or lower that creates silence. The save DC is Charisma-based.
lol sorry i was replying a post behind. I am a verrrrrrrrrry slow typer. Thanks for resolving this all :-)