If you cast acid cloud, the spell says, "Each round on your turn, starting when you cast the spell, the fog deals 2d6 points of acid damage to each creature and object within it.
I highlighted the part I am concerned with. Does this mean the character takes damage as well as all their gear, or just unattended objects?
I had the last encounter start to burn all of their clothes and whatnot, but that was mostly for fluff. Then I started thinking, what if my wizard player enters and his component pouch gets destroyed. That does not seem like a lot of fun.
It does make the spell dangerous, and seems to make sense that everything would take damage, but could really alter an encounter quickly.
The entire spell is listed below:
School conjuration (creation) [acid]; Level magus 6, sorcerer/wizard 6
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (powdered peas and an animal hoof)
EFFECT
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Effect fog spreads in 20-ft. radius, 20 ft. high
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
DESCRIPTION
Acid fog creates a billowing mass of misty vapors like the solid fog spell. In addition to slowing down creatures and obscuring sight, this spell's vapors are highly acidic. Each round on your turn, starting when you cast the spell, the fog deals 2d6 points of acid damage to each creature and object within it.
Just Unattended.
But why? Or is the answer "magic" and we move on?
Pretty much. Magic usually only affects unattended objects unless something specifically calls out exceptions. Otherwise, it acts on a character first and then the objects after the character dies.
. . . A natural 1 (the d20 comes up 1) on a saving throw is always a failure (and may cause damage to exposed items; see Items Surviving after a Saving Throw). A natural 20 (the d20 comes up 20) is always a success. . . Unless the descriptive text for the spell specifies otherwise, all items carried or worn by a creature are assumed to survive a magical attack. . . If the selected item is not carried or worn and is not magical, it does not get a saving throw. It simply is dealt the appropriate damage.
Of course, I may be misapplying something.
This rule makes sense game wise, and a lot easier to deal with in combat.
Can you imagine if I said apply 10 points of damage to yourself and all items your character is holding? That would grind the table to a halt.
Thanks!
