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Does sound pass through the dome of force from the Leomund's Tiny Hut spell? In other words, can people inside the dome hear sounds coming from outside?

The spell mentions that light does not pass through the dome of force (people outside cannot see inside), but does not mention sound.

My first guess is people making noise inside the dome can be heard by those outside. Additionally, loud noises from outside the dome could keep the occupants awake (preventing a long rest).

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2 Answers 2

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Sound passes through

The dome stops “Creatures and objects” and “Spells and other magical effects” - sound isn’t one of those. There are no secret rules.

It also doesn’t say anything about light passing through. It says “The dome is opaque from the outside, of any color you choose, but it is transparent from the inside.”

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    \$\begingroup\$ Sound can be a magical effect, e.g. from Major Image or Thunderclap. A DM would then have to decide which part was the magical effect, and which was just mundane air movement caused by the magical effect. e.g. they might rule that the actual thunder damage couldn't make it in, but that you'd hear it if within the 100 ft radius for audibility. (Which BTW seems insanely short, less far than a creaking door in a dungeon. Maybe it's supposed to mean "over any background noise"). Or rule the magic effect is a point source triggering air movement. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Oct 15, 2022 at 11:21
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    \$\begingroup\$ The aforequoted text does in fact say whether light can pass: “The dome is opaque from the outside, of any color you choose, but it is transparent from the inside.” Seems fairly unambiguous to me: light can pass from without to within, but not the reverse. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Oct 3, 2023 at 13:32
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The description says that it will always remain dry on the inside no matter what the weather is on the outside. That means that it is waterproof. Waterproofed barriers discourage sound but do not stop it.

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    \$\begingroup\$ You might want to use "reduce" or "inhibit". "Discourage" is more like 'prevent from happening', and barriers don't make it less likely that the sound will happen, they reduce the amount that can pass through. \$\endgroup\$
    – Kirt
    Commented May 25 at 14:34
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    \$\begingroup\$ I don't think that connection you're making follows...we're dealing with magic. Tiny hut is a perfect defense against a Fireball but does nothing against dragon fire. The fact that real world physics says waterproof barriers inhibit sound has absolutely no bearing on what the magical barrier of force does. \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 25 at 21:58
  • \$\begingroup\$ What else is there to deal with other than rules as written? All any of us are trying to do is give a dungeon master food for thought. I do concede that the words reduce or inhibit are better choices. :-) \$\endgroup\$
    – Al Zuun
    Commented May 26 at 19:10

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