From: ncb2d@kelvin.seas.Virginia.EDU (Gorgo the Conqueror)
Subject: Re: New spell for ad&d 2nd
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1992 16:13:36 GMT

In article <Bv8qGv.EAK@newcastle.ac.uk> Mark.OLeary@newcastle.ac.uk (M.D. O'Leary) writes:
>In article <1992Sep27.061657.27502@wheaton.wheaton.edu> kroth@david.wheaton.edu (Ken Roth) writes:
>>In article <1992Sep24.070014.6315@htsa.aha.nl> paulf@htsa.aha.nl (Paul Ferron) writes:
>>>This is a First level spell I designed for AD&D 2nd edtion play 
>>>any comments on this spell are welcome. Feel free to copy this spell in it's original state And name.
>>> SPELL NAME                                       SCHOOL
>>> Kevin's Holy Rain                                Evocation
>>>
>>> MATERIAL COMPONENTS
>>> a drop of holy water and a hair from a priest of any good alignment.
>>
>>One problem.  How can a mage make holy water?  Regardless of whose hair he
>>has, holy water costs thousands to make.
>
>It could be bought from your local temple, and they might well *charge* 
>thousands for it... However, see later.
>
>>>This spell creates a small cyclone that moves from the wizard's finger and grows into a billowing white cloud from which a steady downpour of holy water falls.
>>>The cloud can be directed and controled as long as the wizard concentrates on
>>>the spell. The cloud can move with MV 6. Undead creatures suffer 1d6+1 hitpoints of damage per round that they are in contact with the rain. Intelligent undead may save vs breath weapon for half damage. If the save is successfull it means
>>>he has somehow managed to avoid some of the rain. The cloud's AoE grows bigger
>>>as the wizard advances in levels to a maximum of 30 feet diameter. As the AoE
>>>grows bigger the casting time gets longer:1 segment/2 levels with a maximum of
>>>5. The rain from the cloud keeps running for one round per level upto 10 rounds maximum. The caster can stop the rain anytime by failing to concentrate on the
>>>cloud. The cloud can be moved by any wind with a force upto 30 mph, if the forceexceeds this limit the cloud disperses.
>>
>>The other problem is the immense power of this spell... 
>>This (excluding the mage casting it problem) should be at LEAST 3rd level, for
>>it is an almost sure-fire way to kill undead.  Especially is it lasts as long
>>as he concentrates (well, 10 rounds).  That is a very poweful spell.  Sorta
>>like a wizard being able to turn, ya know?
>
>This spell seems to take a 'seed' amount of holy water, and multiply it many
>orders of magnitude, and add in a dispersal system...
>Counter example spell: name-"shower of gold'. This spell generates a small 
>storm cloud from which shower 1d10 MILLION GP. Material component: 1 GP.
>
>As you can see, the internal logic of the spell doesnt hold true. The only 
>version of this spell I would be happy with is the distribution part only:
>a spell which takes the contents of a *flask* and spreads it evenly over a wide 
>area. Firstly the flask would *cost*, and secondly, the amount of holy water 
>actually hitting each undead in the area would be so small that little *damage* 
>would result. it might 'turn' the undead, though. (This spell sounds good! 
>Imagine feeding it a flask of oil, then casting it over a small fire: instant 
>fireball, as oil vapour/droplets/mist ingnites much more readily than the 
>liquid!). This version would be a 1st level spell, or maybe 2nd.
>
>The spell as listed is too much like turning undead, and encroaches of cleric 
>territory. I think it would disrupt game balance. If you insit on using it, 
>though, I would make it at least 5th level (and possibly make it drain its holy 
>water from the nearest temple, thus getting the mage chased by a lot of pissed 
>off clerics... 8)
>
>>
>>Just some ideas.
>>
>>Ken
>
>Keep 'em coming!
>Raphe...

I agree that it should only be a cleric spell of mid-high level. However,
to make the spell effective, how about having the spell simply purify an
already existing rain shower, i.e. a rainstorm must already be in progress
for the spell to take effect (re: call lightning).
The expensive flask full of holy water would still be a material
component, to reflect the power of the spell. Also, to prevent clerics from
using this to make mass amounts of holy water for cheap, have the rain be
holy only for the spells duration and then revert back to normal dirty
rainwater. These conditions would retain the original spell's effects (as
listed by Paul), while limiting the power it has to a reasonable level.