[RPG] What are the mechanical effects of the Sequester spell, in terms of perception and the ability to move or act

dnd-5espells

The Sequester spell says:

If the target is a creature, it falls into a state of suspended animation. Time ceases to flow for it, and it doesn't grow older.

Both "suspended animation" and "time ceases to flow" are not game mechanics terms.

Is the creature able to perceive its surroundings? Is it able to take actions and reactions? If not, can you say the creature is unconscious or incapacitated that way?

Best Answer

The creature can't perceive its surroundings or take actions

The character is stuck in time, and taking an action requires a certain timespan. If one second lasts forever, then you can't feasibly take an action.

Likewise, it can't see or hear anything, as those too would require a passage of time. As far as they are concerned, the moment they go to sleep, and the moment they wake up, are one and the same. No time has passed in their mind.

However, that does not mean the creature is incapacitated, as nothing in the spell says that the creature is incapacitated.

The reasoning "it can't take actions or reactions, therefore it's incapacitated" is flawed in itself. "Bob has disadvantage, so he must be blind!" could be true, but it doesn't have to be, he could be poisoned, cursed, fatigued, etc.