Does SpellShield shield against Word of Command

[Helborn]

I tried doing several searches and found nothing. Sorry if this is answered elsewhere. I was preparing for Tollenkar's Lair and this struck me.
ITL 27: Spell Shield (T): Prevents any spells (hostile or otherwise) from being cast on its subject – that is, protects against effects of all Special, Missile, and Thrown spells, and the occult damage from a staff. Does not affect spells already cast; does not protect against ordinary physical force, including damage done by created beings or things, damage done by weapons (ordinary or magical), or the effects of magic ropes and slippery floors. When a spell hits a figure protected by Spell Shield, the wizard casting the spell loses the entire ST cost for that spell, because it succeeded but was nullified.


This seems to imply that a spoken Word of Command would be nullified. Not sure about a written one?

[Steve Plambeck]

Originally Posted by Helborn

This seems to imply that a spoken Word of Command would be nullified.

I'd like to say I don't think so. That would be tantamount to saying a summoned wolf can't bite you if you're under a Spell Shield, because the wolf is a spell. This is looking at it as the spell has been cast, the command travels through the air as an acoustic wave, and the ear of the target still hears and perceives it.

What bothers me about these otherwise reasonable arguments is that Spell Shield stops Missile spells. That really makes things complicated. I'd think a lightening bolt should still affect the target just like a summoned wolf's bite or any physical attack made by an illusion, but the rule clearly says it protects against Missile spells. Yet it doesn't work against a magic rope? That feels inconsistent.

[hcobb]

The protected subject would hear or read the word, but would be protected against any magical compulsion.

[Shostak]

Henry has the right idea on this one. The magical effect of Word of Command is carried on the physical sound waves. The Spell Shield strips away the Word of Command as the mundane sound waves pass through it.

[Helborn]

Originally Posted by Steve Plambeck

Yet it doesn't work against a magic rope? That feels inconsistent.

I would say that once the Magic Rope is created it is a purely physical attack. That would keep it consistent, including illusions and summoned creatures. Missile spells seems to be a special case.

[Skarg]

I think of it that no word, spoken or written, can have a non-magical power like Word of Command - the effect seems clearly magical, to me.

So yes, Spell Shield would protect against Word of Command. It wouldn't keep the subject from hearing or seeing the words, but while protected from magical effects, they're just sound and light.

[hcobb]

Spellshield keeps Great Voice from being cast on a figure, but they still hear what some other figure says via this spell.

[timm meyers]

The intent seems fairly clear
"Prevents any spells (hostile or otherwise) from being cast on its subject –"
The clarification on the rope spell means to me that the creation of a rope that then entangles a nearby target, just like wolfs etc. means the voice is not necessarily directed at a target so would not be protected from.

[hcobb]

Rope is not cast on the target and so suffers no penalty for vision, dodging, etc. Note that Creation Spells are explicitly noted as bypassing the Spellshield.

So it protects against the Fireball spell, but not the Fire spell.