Rope Trick ranged targeting

[Stephen Ede]

Does this work within the rules?

Situation -
Intelligent creatures come along and see a rope rising 10' into the air and stopping.
They tug the rope and it doesn't move and they think "aha, this is a rope trick and we think there are enemies in it".
So they throw an alchemical flask of poisonous gas at the window they know is at the top of the rope.
Since they are targeting a 3'x5' space centered on the top of the rope this is a very easy attack roll.
The flask passes through the window and breaks, filling the space inside the rope trick with poisonous gas.

Legal?

Rope Trick

Spells cannot be cast across the extra-dimensional interface, nor can area effects cross it. Those in the extra-dimensional space can see out of it as if a 3-foot-by-5-foot window were centered on the rope. The window is invisible, and even creatures that can see the window can’t see through it. Anything inside the extra-dimensional space drops out when the spell ends. The rope can be climbed by only one person at a time. The rope trick spell enables climbers to reach a normal place if they do not climb all the way to the extra-dimensional space.

[Hendelbolaf]

It says "nor can effects cross it" in regards to the extra-dimensional interface so, no, you cannot throw a poisonous flask at the invisible window to make the space inside fill with poisonous gas.

The best you could do is wait until the group comes out of the Rope Trick or until the spell ends and then attack them. Of course, they would be able to see you waiting unless you took precautions and they could likewise be prepared to attack you.

[Stephen Ede]

A ranged attack isn't an effect is it?

Effects are fireballs cast at the top of the rope. The blast won't pass through.

[Stephen Ede]

Just did some quick checking and as far as I can tell a flask is an object, not an effect.
When it breaks it has an effect, but but that time it's on the opposite side of the Rope trick, with the people hiding in there, and so the effect will not be able to pass out.

[Hendelbolaf]

My ruling on it would be that nothing can affect those in the extra-dimensional space.

[Jeraa]

The entrance isn't 3 foot by 5 foot. Those inside see out as if looking through a 3x5 foot window, that doesn't mean there is a 3x5 foot hole.

You are assuming there is an actual hole to throw something into, when there is nothing in the spell that actually suggests that. The fact it says window and not hole would seem to imply there isn't a physical opening at all, it just allows creatures to pass through by climbing the rope.

[Stephen Ede]

So you're saying that those inside the rope trick can't do anything to people outside either.
That begs the question as to why don't the people inside the rope trick suffocate.
If there is no entrance then no air can enter.

[Captain Zoom]

Stephen Ede wrote:

So you're saying that those inside the rope trick can't do anything to people outside either.

That begs the question as to why don't the people inside the rope trick suffocate.
If there is no entrance then no air can enter.

Magic

[Hendelbolaf]

Stephen Ede wrote:

So you're saying that those inside the rope trick can't do anything to people outside either.

That begs the question as to why don't the people inside the rope trick suffocate.
If there is no entrance then no air can enter.

It is an extra-dimensional space meant for the caster and allies to enter to rest or hide (although with a rope dangling down I agree that it does not make an effective hiding place), so I think it is safe to safe there is air inside it for the duration of the spell.

[Jeraa]

Captain Zoom wrote:

Stephen Ede wrote:

So you're saying that those inside the rope trick can't do anything to people outside either.

That begs the question as to why don't the people inside the rope trick suffocate.
If there is no entrance then no air can enter.

Magic

This. It is the same reason you can fit 8 Colossal dragons in the space at once, but it can only fit 8 humans or 8 smurfs despite the vast difference in sizes.

Edit: I also forgot saying smurf changes your avatar...

[Stephen Ede]

Fair point fair Smurf. :-)