Sanctuary

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• Level: 1
• School: Abjuration
• Class: Cleric
• Casting Time: Bonus Action
• Range: 30 feet
• Components: V, S, M (a shard of glass from a mirror)
• Duration: 1 minute

You ward a creature within range. Until the spell ends, any creature who targets the warded creature with an attack roll or a damaging spell must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or either choose a new target or lose the attack or spell. This spell doesn't protect the warded creature from areas of effect. The spell ends if the warded creature makes an attack roll, casts a spell, or deals damage.

Tactical Usage

Powerful Protection Mechanic. Sanctuary provides exceptional defensive capability by forcing enemies to make Wisdom saves or retarget attacks, effectively protecting vulnerable allies or casters.

Bonus Action Economy. The bonus action casting enables efficient protection application without sacrificing main action options for other spells or activities.

Non-Aggression Requirement. The spell ends if the target attacks, casts spells, or deals damage, creating tactical decisions about maintaining protection versus taking action.

Spell Combinations

Healing Support. Protecting healers or support characters enables them to provide ongoing assistance without becoming primary targets.

Buff Coordination. Sanctuary allows protected characters to maintain concentration spells or provide ongoing benefits while remaining relatively safe.

Escape Facilitation. Protecting fleeing characters helps ensure successful retreats or tactical repositioning without immediate pursuit.

Material Component Details

Mirror Shard Symbolism. The glass shard from a mirror represents reflection and redirection, symbolically connecting to the spell's attack redirection mechanics.

Component Preparation. Mirror shards can be prepared from broken mirrors, purchased from glaziers, or salvaged from various sources without significant expense.

Fragility Symbolism. The fragile nature of glass reflects how easily the sanctuary protection can be broken through aggressive action.

Creator Notes

Encounter Protection Tool. Sanctuary provides excellent mechanics for protecting important NPCs, vulnerable party members, or critical support characters.

Wisdom Save Targeting. The spell targets Wisdom saves, which tend to be lower for martial enemies compared to mental save specialists.

Action Limitation Balance. The spell's end conditions prevent abuse while maintaining meaningful protection for non-aggressive characters.

Environmental Interactions

Social Encounter Protection. Sanctuary can provide security during negotiations, diplomatic meetings, or other social situations with potential violence.

Area Effect Vulnerability. The spell doesn't protect against area effects, creating tactical considerations about positioning and enemy capabilities.

Protection Visibility. The warding effect might be visible to observers, potentially affecting social dynamics or enemy targeting decisions.

Common Rulings & Clarifications

Wisdom Save Timing. Enemies make Wisdom saves when attempting to target the protected creature, with failure requiring retargeting or losing the action.

Area Effect Exclusion. Area of effect spells and abilities can still affect sanctuary-protected creatures if they're caught in the area.

Action End Conditions. Any attack roll, spell casting, or damage dealing by the protected creature immediately ends the sanctuary effect.

Retargeting Options. Failed saves require enemies to choose new targets if available, or lose their attack or spell if no valid targets exist.

Alternative Applications

Diplomatic Immunity. Providing protection during negotiations, surrenders, or other situations requiring temporary non-aggression.

Civilian Protection. Shielding innocent bystanders, witnesses, or non-combatants during violent encounters or dangerous situations.

Interrogation Safety. Protecting cooperative subjects during questioning or information gathering when violence might interrupt the process.

Related Spells

Protection Magic Comparison. Shield provides AC bonuses, while Protection from Evil and Good affects creature types, and Sanctuary offers behavioral protection.

Defensive Spells. Various protective magic offers different approaches to damage prevention and enemy control with varying mechanisms and limitations.

Mind Control Elements. The Wisdom save requirement shares similarities with enchantment magic that influences enemy decision-making.

Scaling Analysis

Consistent Protection Value. Sanctuary maintains utility throughout character progression as the protection mechanism remains effective regardless of damage scaling.

Early Level Importance. The spell provides crucial protection for low-level characters when few other defensive options are available.

Resource Efficiency. The spell provides excellent defensive value for a 1st-level slot when protecting important characters or enabling tactical positioning.

Narrative Flavor

Sacred Protection Manifestation. The spell should emphasize divine or sacred protection that makes enemies reluctant or unable to attack the protected character.

Wisdom Challenge. The save requirement can be described as mental reluctance, divine intervention, or supernatural aversion to attacking the protected target.

Peaceful Aura. The effect might manifest as visible serenity, divine blessing, or otherworldly protection that discourages aggressive action.