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bot
2013-10-31, 08:06 AM
So does the spell actually planeshift onto the shadow plane, or is it somewhere in between (hence the text about bordering the shadow plane)?

I'm thinking specifically about if casting spells while shadow walking, would they be affected by the shadow plane traits? (Shadow spells auto maximized and +10% to shadow con/evc effects)


Shadow walk spell description from d20srd.com

Shadow Walk
Illusion (Shadow)
Level: Brd 5, Sor/Wiz 6
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Targets: Up to one touched creature/ level
Duration: 1 hour/level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

To use the shadow walk spell, you must be in an area of shadowy illumination. You and any creature you touch are then transported along a coiling path of shadowstuff to the edge of the Material Plane where it borders the Plane of Shadow. The effect is largely illusory, but the path is quasi-real. You can take more than one creature along with you (subject to your level limit), but all must be touching each other.

In the region of shadow, you move at a rate of 50 miles per hour, moving normally on the borders of the Plane of Shadow but much more rapidly relative to the Material Plane. Thus, you can use this spell to travel rapidly by stepping onto the Plane of Shadow, moving the desired distance, and then stepping back onto the Material Plane.

Because of the blurring of reality between the Plane of Shadow and the Material Plane, you can’t make out details of the terrain or areas you pass over during transit, nor can you predict perfectly where your travel will end. It’s impossible to judge distances accurately, making the spell virtually useless for scouting or spying. Furthermore, when the spell effect ends, you are shunted 1d10×100 feet in a random horizontal direction from your desired endpoint. If this would place you within a solid object, you are shunted 1d10×1,000 feet in the same direction. If this would still place you within a solid object, you (and any creatures with you) are shunted to the nearest empty space available, but the strain of this activity renders each creature fatigued (no save).

Shadow walk can also be used to travel to other planes that border on the Plane of Shadow, but this usage requires the transit of the Plane of Shadow to arrive at a border with another plane of reality. The transit of the Plane of Shadow requires 1d4 hours.

Any creatures touched by you when shadow walk is cast also make the transition to the borders of the Plane of Shadow.

They may opt to follow you, wander off through the plane, or stumble back into the Material Plane (50% chance for either of the latter results if they are lost or abandoned by you). Creatures unwilling to accompany you into the Plane of Shadow receive a Will saving throw, negating the effect if successful.

Talderas
2013-10-31, 08:18 AM
Enhanced magic. Spells with the shadow descriptor are enhanced on the Plane of Shadow. Such spells are cast as though they were prepared with the Maximize Spell feat, though they don’t require the higher spell slots.

Furthermore, specific spells become more powerful on the Plane of Shadow. Shadow conjuration and shadow evocation spells are 30% as powerful as the conjurations and evocations they mimic (as opposed to 20%). Greater shadow conjuration and greater shadow evocation are 70% as powerful (not 60%), and a shades spell conjures at 90% of the power of the original (not 80%).

You have to be on the Plane of Shadow to gain the enhanced magic trait. Shadow Walk never places you on the Plane of Shadow so you won't get any benefit.

Red Fel
2013-10-31, 08:19 AM
I think the implication is that it's "someplace in between," as suggested by the frequent references to the "border," not on the Plane proper.

Exception: If you use the "Shadow walk can also be used to travel to other planes" feature, it explicitly states that you engage in "transit of the Plane of Shadow to arrive at a border with another plane of reality." That would put you on the Plane proper.

bot
2013-10-31, 08:31 AM
Thanks both - that was also my initial interpenetration, but I managed to get myself in doubt, so thought it best to verify with like minded :)

Talderas
2013-10-31, 08:47 AM
I think the implication is that it's "someplace in between," as suggested by the frequent references to the "border," not on the Plane proper.

Exception: If you use the "Shadow walk can also be used to travel to other planes" feature, it explicitly states that you engage in "transit of the Plane of Shadow to arrive at a border with another plane of reality." That would put you on the Plane proper.

The spell tells you where you're located.


You and any creature you touch are then transported along a coiling path of shadowstuff to the edge of the Material Plane where it borders the Plane of Shadow.

You're on the edge material plane where it borders the Plane of Shadow.

Psyren
2013-10-31, 09:36 AM
Technically speaking the entire plane is a border. SRD:


Coexistent Planes
If a link between two planes can be created at any point, the two planes are coexistent. These planes overlap each other completely. A coexistent plane can be reached from anywhere on the plane it overlaps. When moving on a coexistent plane, it is often possible to see into or interact with the plane it coexists with.


Plane Of Shadow
The Plane of Shadow is a dimly lit dimension that is both coterminous to and coexistent with the Material Plane.

There is no "deeper part of the Plane of Shadow" where you are no longer bordering the Material - the entire plane does that. So Shadow Walk does actually take you onto the Shadow Plane, it just so happens that no matter how far into it you travel you're always next to the material.

Talderas
2013-10-31, 09:42 AM
Technically speaking the entire plane is a border. SRD:

There is no "deeper part of the Plane of Shadow" where you are no longer bordering the Material - the entire plane does that. So Shadow Walk does actually take you onto the Shadow Plane, it just so happens that no matter how far into it you travel you're always next to the material.

A coexistent plane is a plane which is fully coterminus. Coterminus planes simply touch each other but you are one one plane or the other and not both. Unless it is specifically specified that coterminus areas for the two planes (which shadow and material do not have any such rule) blend traits you only gain the traits from the plane which you're on.

Psyren
2013-10-31, 09:52 AM
A coexistent plane is a plane which is fully coterminus. Coterminus planes simply touch each other but you are one one plane or the other and not both. Unless it is specifically specified that coterminus areas for the two planes (which shadow and material do not have any such rule) blend traits you only gain the traits from the plane which you're on.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. What I was saying is that yes, while using Shadow Walk you would be subject to Shadow Plane traits. You are physically there for the duration of the spell.

And MotP backs this up:



Plane of Shadow

{list of traits}

SHADOW LINKS

Travelers typically access the Plane of Shadow with spells or permanent portals. The most common way to visit the Plane of Shadow is to use the shadow walk spell for fast travel from one point to another on the Material Plane. The spell moves its targets up to seven miles per 10 minutes on the Plane of Shadow, regardless of one’s normal speed. Such travel happens entirely on the Plane of Shadow, so travelers don’t see much of the intervening terrain on the Material Plane. Ending the spell returns the travelers to the Material Plane, again in a shadowy location if possible.

There are also vortices between the Plane of Shadow and the Material Plane that function randomly and have variable destinations.
...
The shadow walk spell is in many ways a creation of such natural vortices, one at the beginning of the journey and one near the end.

In addition, shadow walking Sorcerers and Wizards are on the Shadow Plane random encounters table.

Talderas
2013-10-31, 09:57 AM
I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. What I was saying is that yes, while using Shadow Walk you would be subject to Shadow Plane traits. You are physically there for the duration of the spell.

And MotP backs this up:

1. MotP is a 3.0 source book and as such may be making comments based on the 3.0 PHB and DMG regarding how planes and shadow walk work.
2. PHB, as the source for the Shadow Walk spell, is the primary source in this case and the spell description states that you're on the material plane not the shadow plane.

Psyren
2013-10-31, 10:14 AM
1. MotP is a 3.0 source book and as such may be making comments based on the 3.0 PHB and DMG regarding how planes and shadow walk work.

It was updated to 3.5 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20030718a) and none of the Shadow stuff was changed. Therefore it is 3.5 as well.



2. PHB, as the source for the Shadow Walk spell, is the primary source in this case and the spell description states that you're on the material plane not the shadow plane.

No it doesn't:

"Thus, you can use this spell to travel rapidly by stepping onto the Plane of Shadow, moving the desired distance, and then stepping back onto the Material Plane."

You are on the Plane of Shadow, per the spell.

Chronos
2013-10-31, 10:27 AM
The spell also says
Thus, you can use this spell to travel rapidly by stepping onto the Plane of Shadow, moving the desired distance, and then stepping back onto the Material Plane.

That's right there in the spell itself, without needing to refer to other books.

EDIT: Shadow Sun Ninjaed.

bot
2013-10-31, 12:25 PM
Sweet guys, cool!

Currently playing a shadowcraft mage, and the added 10% to my buff spells, exactly brings many of them to 100% effect - well worth it for a 6th level spell, since I only have to cast it every few days because of crazy long durations :-)