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jordanz
Senior Scribe
553 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Nov 2009 : 18:41:25
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Hello. I think it's generally accepted that Mystra's Silverfire is a more potent force compared to SpellFire. My question is why? I've read the Spellfire books and it seemed to me that it was darn near indefensible. It also was a very potent healing force. Can someone site examples were Silverfire proved to be even more powerful in comparison?
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The Simbul
Learned Scribe
173 Posts |
Posted - 28 Nov 2009 : 23:01:24
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quote:
Originally posted by jordanz
Hello. I think it's generally accepted that Mystra's Silverfire is a more potent force compared to SpellFire. My question is why? I've read the Spellfire books and it seemed to me that it was darn near indefensible. It also was a very potent healing force. Can someone site examples were Silverfire proved to be even more powerful in comparison?
Actually the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting describes the Silver Fire of a Chosen of Mystra, and the 'true' Spellfire of a spellfire channeler as being two variations of the same energy, under the broader (but confusing) term of "Spellfire".
It also states that--of the two--true Spellfire is the more powerful ability.
As for why the common perception may be that Silver Fire is more powerful; it either has something to do with its portrayal in novels, or it is because people ascribe all of the benefits of being a Chosen of Mystra under the category of "silver fire" (i.e. in 2E AD&D it was stated that all the powers gained by a Chosen were wrought by the presence of silver fire within them, therefore linking those powers together under a single banner so to speak. By contrast, 3E made Silver Fire its own separate sub-ability which was included as part of the overall Chosen template.)
So if you consider "Silver Fire" to simply be the ability described on pg 56 of the FRCS, then it is generally a weaker ability when compared to the full benefits gained from the Spellfire Wielder feat and the Spellfire Channeler prestige class (even if said PrC is rather weak).
However if you consider "Silver Fire" to be ALL of the benefits of being a Chosen of Mystra (+10 CON, bonus spells, detect magic, immunities, spell immunities, as well as silver fire itself), as well as all the other things attributed to it in novels and the lore, then perhaps Silver Fire is the more powerful of the two. |
Edited by - The Simbul on 28 Nov 2009 23:03:15 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2009 : 00:30:48
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| The silver fire is a divine mystery; its exact nature, and relationship to other magicks, hasn't been fully defined. Certainly the many vivid descriptions of the silver fire give no hint that it's not really essential but just a manifestation of something else. It could be. But this is all speculation. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Sandro
Learned Scribe
New Zealand
266 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2009 : 02:10:37
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| It seems, given there appears to be no solid answer, that this may be a good question to ask Ed. |
"Gods, little fishes, and spells to turn the one to the other," Mordenkainen sighed. "It's started already..." |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2009 : 16:18:33
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| Are we measuring a kilogram of each substance? A joule? I don't see how the comparison is possible or meaningful. Probably the biggest practical difference is that the silver fire is the semi-material stratum of a god, while spellfire is usually wielded by relatively untrained mortals. |
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The Simbul
Learned Scribe
173 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2009 : 18:14:40
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I am comparing the two as they are described in rules of the game.
Within that context Silver Fire is the "lesser" of the two abilities, both in terms of the source specifically stating so and in terms of its comparative potency as an ability. |
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Farah Jade
Acolyte
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 07 Dec 2009 : 14:11:55
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| Well, I don't know about the actual game settings, but after reading the Shandril series, it seems to me that Spellfire could be very destructive to the person that WEILDS it as well as the people it's directed to. As a force, yes, it is probably more powerful, but as The Simbul said, with the Silver Fire you get more benefits, including how to handle Spellfire better. So I think I would go with the divine, and take the Silver Fire, it wouldn't kill you quite as fast. |
~The difference between a rogue and a hero often comes down to who tells the tale~ |
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Rhewtani
Senior Scribe
USA
508 Posts |
Posted - 08 Dec 2009 : 21:25:16
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| And as witnessed in Blackstaff, silver fire can keep you alive longer. |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
1842 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2013 : 03:50:00
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*Casts Resurrect Scroll*
I was just thinking about this very question and decided to do a search on it. My thinking is that spellfire is raw magical energy (canon btw) while silverfire is 'raw magical energy mixed with mystra's divine essence' and is, therefore, more powerful in the end. Mystra does not allow her silverfire to be used in the same manner as spellfire and her divinity may, in fact, mitigate its use as a destructive force. However, it is also canon that Mystra's Chosen can learn to use spellfire if they wish...this gives further credence, IMO, that silverfire is modified spellfire. Just my two coppers. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
Edited by - The Arcanamach on 20 Aug 2013 04:01:42 |
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SpellFire Versus SilverFire
