| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Dennis |
Posted - 10 Jun 2013 : 13:09:54
Aside from Thay, Halruaa, and Shade (which does not need it as they are way above the clouds), what other realms utilize a city- or realm-wide weather-control magic? And how does each realm do it? Do they have a device that becomes the focus of the magic they channel? How many wizards work at it? Two, three, four at a time? How do they change “shifts”? And in cases where the realm also houses the church of Chauntea, is the immediate vicinity of her church exempt from such magic as it contradicts the “will” of Nature? |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| TBeholder |
Posted - 14 Jun 2013 : 06:39:34
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
Agreed, mythals can incorporate a number of low-level magics within their areas of effect which stabilize temperature, calm or direct winds and breezes, cause things to be dry and warm and have a minty fresh scent and be generally comfortable.
Even aside of "more comfortable". They need to protect a fair chunk of biosphere (those parts where elves grow food and where half of the time the mythal itself is rooted) from extremes. Droughts, hails, etc.
quote:
Note that Mavin's worldweave exceeds the maximum spellcasting level permitted by Mystra ... but it's not impossible for quasimagical items to retain charges of this spell, available for use within the radius of an active mythallar. In fact, this might be exactly the sort of magic the Shadovar brought with them to terraform the Anauroch.
They don't need to cast Mavin's worldweave because these are already in place. The problem is in Lifedrain spells cast by Phaerimm drying the place. Thus the Shadovar have to sweep and destroy of as much of these as they can... and prevent Phaerimm from simply replacing these. That's the only way to actually change anything, otherwise it's just having a choice between "hot desert" and "cold desert". Melting ice solves ongoing wide-area dehydration only in short term.
quote:
Originally posted by Quale
Calimshan I think, all that area east of the desert.
Oh, right. Speaking of which, the Calim Desert itself is a "little side effect" of High Magic. |
| Quale |
Posted - 13 Jun 2013 : 14:02:30
Calimshan I think, all that area east of the desert. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 13 Jun 2013 : 12:12:18
Perhaps. Though much of the terraforming was done through the shadow mantles that melted the High Ice. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 11 Jun 2013 : 23:26:10
Agreed, mythals can incorporate a number of low-level magics within their areas of effect which stabilize temperature, calm or direct winds and breezes, cause things to be dry and warm and have a minty fresh scent and be generally comfortable. Not as grandoise as Mavin's worldweave but still an effective weather control mechanism. Especially if maintained over time, and most especially if constantly tweaked and governed by a quasi-sentient mythal mind.
Note that Mavin's worldweave exceeds the maximum spellcasting level permitted by Mystra ... but it's not impossible for quasimagical items to retain charges of this spell, available for use within the radius of an active mythallar. In fact, this might be exactly the sort of magic the Shadovar brought with them to terraform the Anauroch. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 11 Jun 2013 : 13:19:11
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
I'm surprised you neglected to include ancient Netheril in your list, Dennis.
I just forgot to type it (probably because of Shade), but it never escaped my mind.
And while we’re on ancient civilizations, did fallen Imaskar also utilize this type of magic? As for the returned High Imaskar, it was never mentioned in The Brotherhood of the Griffon series if they do. But given how (seemingly?) weak the High Imaskaran wizards are now, perhaps magic like weather-control is something they haven’t bothered using. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 11 Jun 2013 : 13:12:33
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
Weather control magics are said to be commonly incorporated within elven mythals, although I think Myth Drannor might be the only example remaining with this function among known active mythals - and it probably functions sporadically.
I don't know that I'd say mythals control weather... At best, they mitigate its effects within a very specifically delineated area. It's like air conditioning: just because you make it cool and comfortable inside your house, it doesn't change the fact that just outside your front door it's hotter than Mount Doom.
I am inclined to agree. Or at least, that is how I see it too. (Of course, I am hardly reliable when it comes to elven lore. ) |
| TBeholder |
Posted - 11 Jun 2013 : 09:39:10
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
I'm surprised you neglected to include ancient Netheril in your list, Dennis.
Yup, Mavin's Worldweave is permanent.
And while we're at the subject of Netherese - let's not forget the whole "shadow blanket" affair.
Lifedrain in the amounts Phaerimm cast it became quite weather-changing, obviously. And technically High Ice counts too, as so much water got there in the first place when Sarrukh swamped the area to flush Phaerimm out. Oh, and the Great Glacier is made by an artifact/relic.
Speaking of artifacts, there's Ring of Winter popping up and causing headaches now and then.
quote:
Weather control magics are said to be commonly incorporated within elven mythals, although I think Myth Drannor might be the only example remaining with this function among known active mythals - and it probably functions sporadically.
Why? I assume most do (of course, in decaying mythals any functions may get "a little" erratic, but it's another matter), unless set up in a complete paradise, with stable weather at that.
Also, does Killing Storm count?..
Summary: if applied to Faerûn, "natural weather patterns" is an oxymoron.  |
| Emma Drake |
Posted - 11 Jun 2013 : 03:04:36
The Silver Marches sourcebook describes Silverymoon as being protected from surprise storms, extreme temperatures, and harsh winter weather due to the mythal. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 11 Jun 2013 : 01:27:27
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
Weather control magics are said to be commonly incorporated within elven mythals, although I think Myth Drannor might be the only example remaining with this function among known active mythals - and it probably functions sporadically.
I don't know that I'd say mythals control weather... At best, they mitigate its effects within a very specifically delineated area. It's like air conditioning: just because you make it cool and comfortable inside your house, it doesn't change the fact that just outside your front door it's hotter than Mount Doom. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 10 Jun 2013 : 23:46:45
I'm surprised you neglected to include ancient Netheril in your list, Dennis.
Weather control magics are said to be commonly incorporated within elven mythals, although I think Myth Drannor might be the only example remaining with this function among known active mythals - and it probably functions sporadically.
A fair number of adventure modules include some remote wizard's lair surrounded by arcane weather, although such things tend to be isolated and highly localized.
Al-Qadim material often suggests that various elementals and djinns are used to control weather across various nations or cities, although perhaps only during certain seasons or ceremonial days ... and the context provides no real examples beyond constantly heralding the magnificent glories of past kingdoms.
As per D&D rules (all editions), druids of sufficient level can command weather (and elementals) to their bidding, and entire circles of these druids can be found scattered through every major chunk of Realms greenery. They also tend to possess the means to travel almost instantly to any place in the Realms they like, and it's not unheard of for "foreign" druids to assist their counterparts in times of urgent need. In short, expect the weather in any natural living growing place to be capably controlled by some local druids. Druids of Chauntea are well known for providing gentle weather suitable for agriculture throughout Cormyr and the Dales. Druids on the Moonshaes are said to cause and calm great storms as they like.
Some of the pirate captains sailing the Sea of Fallen Stars are noted for using watery weather control to gain frequent advantage. Priestesses of Umberlee routinely roil the oceans to drown crews who have offended (ie: not placated with oaths and sacrifices) their harsh goddess.
Several artifacts in the Realms can control weather with great scope. The most well known of these is the legendary Ring of Winter.
Orc shamans might sometimes have the power to summon terrible weather during or just prior to battle, as can many dragons and some giants. I imagine that war wizards could create horrendously uncomfortable weather for the inhabitants of places they besiege - in fact, any military force which properly integrates magical warfare would think of weather control as standard fare. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 10 Jun 2013 : 13:48:22
Perhaps all magocratic realms do use it? Though from the sources I have read, there is no mention that Aglarond utilizes it. But that is probably because their weather is just naturally moderate. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 10 Jun 2013 : 13:40:07
good question. I'd imagine that Goldenfields does at least some weather control magic to handle extreme cases of drought, too much water, or temperature management. Probably not as much as Thay mind you. |
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