From Array 50:  Well Nathaniel, while magic is a powerful and wondrous thing, I would imagine certain physical laws would still apply unless specifically negated, gravity for example. The column of fire can be directed to concentrate on a specific spot, even one in the air, however that column wont stop until it is given a reason to stop, like hitting the ground (though a large enough of a creature, like say a giant dragon or the like would probably be enough of a reason to stop) I don't think it would be wise for a priest to call down such a spell onto a creature in flight over his or her own head!! What if the thing dodged it somehow?!?!?! Just a few thoughts.. Array

What it *doesn't* do is remind me to insert "Secret GM stuff" that's coming up but the player's didn't see in last week's game. I used to rely on my memory for that, but it's been slipping (lots of things to do/remember in RL at the moment), so I may have to resort to notes to myself.


From Yulish Grazem:  Considering that the spell Flame Strike says that the column of fire roars downward in the exact location that the cleric chooses, I tend to think that the spot can be anywhere. Above, below, or next to the cleric. I also think that magic (being magic) is not contained with normal physical laws but its own magical laws, thus I do not think that gravity would necessarily affect the spell. It might be noted however, that if a cleric tried to cast the spell above the creature he would most likely get caught as well because the column of flame is roaring downwards. Just thoughts from a new member.

From Vahjra:   Well, I never play a magic user because I hate memorizing all the details of each and every spell, so I may not be the best person to answer this. But, I don't think it necessarily has to hit the ground.

It just has to hit something. If it is powerful enough to "blast" its way through several things before hitting the ground, so be it. For instance if it deals 18 points of damage and the hippogriff has 32 hit points then the hippogriff takes all the damage and the strike is over. But if the hippogriff only had 2 hit points remaining, then it may be argued that the remaining 16 points of damage are enough to kill (take him to -10) the hippogriff and have 6 points left over to hit the cleric beneath. But any good cleric worth his weight in salt would probably anticipate his own assault and make his reflex save. Seems like severs plusses for knowing it was coming.

From Sunderedepoch:  "> Well, I never play a magic user because I hate memorizing all the > details of each and every spell... <" ------- That's what I love about the way my group does magic.

We use the spell levels and existing spells as examples of what each power can do. We don't limit ourselves to the book examples. I wish WOtC would come out with a more open guide on how their spells fit each level. Then you could tell the GM, "I want to cast a spell that lifts the slab of rock from under my enemies and flips on top of them like a pancake" And the GM could say "okay, that's a level 6 spell of levitation/telekinesis". Just another thing to think about..... Regarding your question of the month.

Yes, the caster can have the target be in the air. Second, nothing says that the power of the spell is absorbed so all creatures in the area of effect take the same dice in damage. EG, the hipogriff and a rider. Third, if the priest knows how long the column of fire is, it should be a wisdom check (or int) to see if he is an idiot to catch himself or friends in the area of effect. The column will dissipate if it runs out of the length of the column. Also keep in mind this is fire, it could get blown to one direction or another catching some friendlies in the area.

 

SCA Bard:   1) Trying to mix real-world physics with fantasy magic is asking for trouble. When I run, I generally toss out the physics in favor of the game's rules and my own sense of what's dramatically apropriate / easy to deal with in the context of the game. I used to try applying physics to game magic on the level I deal with physics (I have a Master's and I'll soon have a Ph.D. in plasma Physics, which tends to deal with things like flame.) It didn't work well - and if you wanted it to mesh smoothly you'd need a bookcase full of graduate-level texts and a supercomputer to play. So don't get hung up on the physics.

2) If you absolutely MUST use physics in your game and the hippogriff /Flame Strike scenario arises, remember: Fire is hot. Air is cold. Given that fire is basically super-heated air and PV = nRT, gravity would tend to keep the flame on top. Which is why flame normally runs up wood, rather than spreading along the ground, why smoke rises, and part of why the third floor of my house is warmer than the basement. Since gravity keeps the flames up (by keeping the cold, dense air down), the description of Flame Strike with "flame roaring down" shows that gravity is not the dominant effect.

Either change the description, throw out the physics, or say the flame is being created in such a way that it starts with a large downward momentum, i.e. moving very fast despite its low density. Depending on how big you feel like making the downward momentum, the flames might be blown back upward by air resistance / gravity before reaching anything, stop at the first substantial object they intersect, stop at the ground, or blow craters into the core of the earth. The PHB doesn't say. It's your game, and the physics inherent in the book's description is sufficiently vauge that you could have pretty much anything happening. So pick something fun and interesting.

From Thrandorian:   I feel that the spell can be cast in the air. Spells which do not pose any physical unlikeness nor have wording within the spell limiting where they can be cast should be allowed to be cast in air or otherwise IMO.

As I see it, the column will begin at a point 30' above the targeted area just as it would if cast upon the ground before you. It would then plunge downward that 30 feet and terminate at that point as it would if it were cast upon the ground.

Fire is not in itself material (other than a few gasses). It is the fuel that has mass and in a magical fire there is no conventional fuel. Therefore, the firehave a negligeable weight and so will not be subject to the effects of gravity. With these factors accepted, the flames would travel in exactly the same manner, within the same exact area of effect, terminating at the point (within spell range) the cleric has specified. I see no reason this spell would be restricted to landing only on earth. Neither in the wording of the spell nor by reason .