Sanctuary

Sanctuary
Spell
Spellbook	Priest
Usable by	Cleric Paladin
School	Abjuration
Spell type	Illusionary protections
Spell level	1
Specifics
Range	0 ft.
Casting time	4
Area of effect	The caster
Duration	1 Turn
Special
Breaks invisibility	No
Icons
Technical data
Spell code	SPPR109

Sanctuary is a 1st level priest spell usable by clerics and paladins. It prevents enemies from attacking or targeting the caster.

Description

“

When the priest casts a Sanctuary spell, it causes all of [their] opponents to ignore [their] existence as if [they] were invisible. While protected by this spell, the subject cannot take direct offensive action without breaking the spell, but may use non-attack spells or otherwise act in any way that does not violate the prohibition against offensive action. This allows a warded priest to heal wounds, for example, or to Bless [themselves]. The priest may not cast spells on other creatures without ending the spell.

”

Gameplay

• Sanctuary functions in some respects similarly to stealth and Invisibility, but generally allows for more actions that won't cancel the state.

Safe	Unsafe
Open/Close Doors Loot Containers Pick Locks Disarm Traps Pick Pockets Turn undead Cast single-target spells on yourself (Cure Light Wounds, Aid) Cast spells with a 0 range  (Armor of Faith, Chant)	Initiate Dialog Attack Cast spells that target a point (Fireball, Bless) Cast single-target spells on others (Cure Light Wounds, Aid)

• Some spells are coded to break the sanctuary status even if they follow the above states; Doom, for example, always breaks sanctuary, even when cast on self. This is generally only used for offensive spells.
• Note that the official spell description is misleading; Bless will cancel the sanctuary, according to the rules above.
• Sanctuary does not prevent you from being seen or hailed by friendly NPC's, unlike stealth or invisibility.
• Sanctuary may be canceled by ordering a character to talk to themselves.
• Unlike stealth, sanctuary does not grant a -4 bonus to melee THAC0, nor does it grant backstab damage. Characters may be under the effects of invisibility or normal stealth while sanctuaried, which will grant those bonuses.
• Sanctuary is not removed by some spells that cancel invisibility. Sanctuary is impervious to Invisibility Purge and Detect Invisibility. In addition, Glitterdust won't remove the protective veil of Sanctuary, although the other effects of the glitter can still make an impact.
• The Detect Illusion skill of Thieves/Dark Moon Monks doesn't affect Sanctuary.
• While sanctuary is an abjuration spell, it can be removed by illusion-cancelling spells such as True Sight. Enemies that naturally See the invisible, such as a dragon, will also ignore sanctuary.
• Targets under Sanctuary can still be hurt by area-of-effect spells like Fireball. They can also be targeted by wands.
• Sanctuary can be dispelled by Dispel Magic or Remove Magic.
• While looting containers doesn't break the Sanctuary, the surrounding NPCs might still summon the guards and will not prevent the dialog that causes reputation loss. The hostile guards won't be able to attack, though.

See also

• Invisibility, 2nd level wizard spell - another early game invisibility effect
• Pixie Dust, 5th level priest spell - area of effect invisibility effect

Gallery

Using Sanctuary to Turn Undead (Zombies) without being attacked. BG:EE graphics.

Viconia casts Sanctuary on self to remain hidden from enemies ahead. BG2:EE graphics.

Mod content

This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.

Spell Revisions mod has changed this divine spell, revising its casting time, duration and description. See below:

Sanctuary
Level: 1
School: Abjuration
Sphere: Charm, Protection
Range: Personal
Duration: 6 rounds
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: Caster
Saving Throw: None

When the priest casts a Sanctuary spell, it causes all of his opponents to ignore his existence, as if he were invisible. While protected by this spell, the subject cannot take direct offensive action without breaking the spell but may use non-attack spells focused on himself or otherwise act in any way that does not violate the prohibition against offensive action. This allows a warded priest to heal his wounds, for example, or to cast a Chant spell. He cannot cast spells on other targets without ending the spell.

Note: Spell not available to Druid/Ranger/Shaman. With this mod's Non-Detection spell active on a creature with Sanctuary, even Oracle and True Sight will not remove it.

The Sword Coast Stratagems mod revises many enemy divine spell casters scripts to utilize the Sanctuary spell when they are severely wounded, and then they'll attempt to administer healing to self while temporarily protected. This works out well when the SCS mod is coupled with the Spell Revisions mod - as the SR version has a 1 casting time.

Mod gallery

Enemy priest buys some safety with lifesaving Sanctuary spell. This particular one didn't heal itself, but instead attempted to cast a Harm spell - resulting in the sanctuary ending and then being struck and killed with a hammer blow to the forehead. SCS mod shown.

External links

• Sanctuary on the Icewind Dale Wiki, a wiki for the first Icewind Dale game.
• Sanctuary on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.