Earsend is a mix of horrifying, bizarre, and amusing. I want to be sure I understand how it works.
Tonight I had a player with Earsend as a new spell send his ear into some seacaves. The spell says the character can "hear as well as you normally could from your animated ear’s vantage point". I get that, no problem.
But I think it can also SEE? Because Earsend says the little construct works like skinsend, and skinsend says
"Your possessed skin is identical to you in all ways, except the following: It has only half the number of hit points you had at the time you cast the spell, and cannot be healed above this maximum; construct type, traits, and immunities; Str 3, Con —; DR 10/piercing or slashing; and compression (as the universal monster ability). Your skin can take any actions you could normally take in your own body (such as to fight or cast spells)."
Senses are not directly addressed, but would seem to fall under "identical to you" without being one of the exceptions. I guess, by the same logic, it can also talk?!
And if it indeed has construct traits, does that mean the ear has lowlight and darkvision?
If the ear cannot see, it's kind of useless as a scout beyond being a listening device you could place. But I'm interested to know if I'm interpretting the ear's senses correctly. Thanks in advance for all thoughts.
I'm getting the impression that not many people use this spell. :-)
|
No one responded because the spell isn't well thought out.
Balance wise it shouldn't give you sight, Arcane eye is a 4th level spell like Earsend, and last way less, so Earsend shouldn't do Arcane eye job and more.
Then it lacks plenty of information:
- if the ear is destroyed you lose an ear?
- if the ear is damaged/destroyed you suffer some damage?
- when the spell ends your ear spontaneously regrow?
The spell says that it tears free of your head, so it is your actual physical ear going around listening.
And that questions are only what I could think while typing. Dedicating more time to it I can probably add way more.
I think some of those questions are answered by "This functions like skinsend", but yes, I would have appreciated more clarity.
I'm leaning toward treating it something like insect spies in terms of the orders you give the little construct. Okay, yeah, your consciousness is along for the ride. The construct can perceive its surroundings, but you are only hearing things.
I haven't decided if your consciousness can communicate new orders to the construct along the way. "Stop here. Find a place to hide. I want to listen to this conversation."
I am grateful for your thoughts. It helps me know I'm not missing anything obvious.
It would be because your consciousness was in the ear.
I'm not saying I think it's great. I'm mostly trying to get a Rules As Written understanding before house ruling things.