Lightning Bolt
(Evocation)
Lightning Bolt
(Evocation)
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** Damage <Mega-damage>
shown is per level of the spell caster employing the spell, and
assumes fire
damage following; if the wooden TARGET is protected by <fire damage?>
green hides, is wet, etc.,
reduce damage by 50%.
Area: The AREA of the lightning bolt's effect is determined by the spell caster, just as its distance is.
The stroke can be either
a forking bolt 1" wide and 4" long,
|| a single bolt 1/2" wide
and 8" long.
Range: The range of
the bolt is the location of the commencement of the stroke,
i.e. if shot to 6", the
bolt would extend from this point to n inches further distance.
Effect: Upon casting
this spell,
the MU
releases a powerful stroke of electrical energy
which causes damage equal
to 1 six-sided die (d6) for each level of experience of the spell caster
to creatures within its
area of effect,
or 50% of such damage to
such creatures which successfully save versus the attack form.
The lightning bolt will
set fire to combustibles,
sunder wooden doors,
splinter up to 1' thickness
of stone,
and melt metals with a low
melting point (lead, gold, copper, silver,
bronze).
Saving
throws must be mAde for objeCts which withstanD the full forCe of a
stroke (cf. fireball).
If the full length of the
stroke is not possible due to the interposition of a non-conducting barrier
(such as a stone wall),
the lightning bolt will
double and rebound towards its caster, its length being the normal total
from beginning to end of stroke, damage caused to interposing barriers
notwithstanding.
MC: A bit of fur and an amber, crystal || glass rod. <An amber rod is worth 25 gp. T1-4.53>
DMG: Note that physical
damage is not exceptional,
so that if a solid wall
is struck,
the bolt effectively rebounds
its full remaining distance.
If it strikes a barrier
which is shattered/broken through by the force of the stroke,
then the bolt continues
beyond.
Effect.UW:
Underwater, this spell resembles a fireball
as pertains to AREA of effect.
Instead of a stroke, the
electrical discharge takes the form of a 2" radius sphere,
centering on the point where
a stroke would originate were the spell cast above water.
All those within the sphere
will suffer the full effect (saving throw indicates one-half damage).
Example.area: If a
12th level magic-user CAST the spell at its
maximum range, 16" in this case,
the stroke would begin at
16" and flash outward from there, as a forked bolt ending at 20" or a single
one ending at 24".
Example.rebound: An
8" stroke is begun at a range of 4", but the possible space in the desired
direction is only 31/2";
so the bolt begins at the
31/2" maximum, and
it rebounds 8" in the direction of its creator.
Scroll
Creation:
1 ounce giant
octopus ink
1 ounce crushed amber (may
be from several gemstones or fragments; the honey-orange hue is best)
1 large blue sapphire, powdered
1 ounce powdered copper
(pure, not sulfate), or 1 ounce powdered gold
1 volt
tail, intact
6 or more drops volt blood,
or 12 or more drops electric eel ichor
6 hairs from an umpleby,
freely given water
metal rod (ferrous metal,
any type)
Boil the umpleby hairs and
volt tail in a copper vessel until
the liquid has boiled away.
Remove from heat and add the
giant octopus ink and powdered
gemstones, stirring with the
rod of ferrous metal. Pour
into a stone bowl or depression and
add the volt blood, a drop
at a time. Leave an end of the rod
in the mixture. Lightning
must then be induced to strike the
rod; lightning of a natural
storm is best, although magic such
as lightning bolt, call
lightning, and control weather-induced
storms will do. Electrical
charges of smaller magnitude (such
as those produced by an
umpleby, an electric eel, or a shocking
grasp
spell) can also be used, but these must be applied repeatedly,
once a night for six successive
nights. (A combination
of these sources may be
employed.) Thereafter, let stand.
When the mixture turns blue,
it is ready for use.
Q: Can a lightning
bolt spell be CAST
vertically or at right angles
to the
caster, or must it be CAST
in line with
the caster?
A: A lightning bolt
spell must be cast so
that the bolt is in line
with the caster and
his target. The bolt may
be cast in any
direction, including straight
up, as space
permits.
(154.6)
