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Melf's acid arrow, sometimes simply called acid arrow, was an arcane conjuration spell that propelled an arrow of acid from the caster's hand that continued to corrode what it struck.[4][3]

Effects[]

After the Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR, the caster launched a single arrow of acid from their hand. It had an effective range of over 440 feet (130 meters). If it struck the target, only it was harmed by the acid. For more experienced mages, the acid lingered and continued to burn for an increasing length of time until it was neutralized or the effect expired.[4]

After the Spellplague of 1385 DR, the spell created a shimmering arrow made of a green, glowing liquid. It exploded on contact with its target, burning it and spraying sizzling acid over adjacent creatures to slightly injure them as well. Even on a miss, it was still injurious. The acid continued to burn until removed.[3]

The acid could damage the hulls of most spelljammers, excluding those made of ceramic or glass. As with the effect on creatures, the acid continued to damage the ship for an extended period of time.[8]

Components[]

In addition to verbal and somatic components, the spell required powdered rhubarb leaf and the stomach of an adder. It also required a dart as a spell focus.[4]

Crafting[]

This spell was one of several that could be used in the creation of acidic burst weapons.[9]

History[]

In the month of Eleasis, of the Year of the Unstrung Harp, 1371 DR, the city of Ravens Bluff's Ministry of Art and Wizards Guild jointly declared it illegal to cast Melf's acid arrow within city limits due to a raging unnatural storm at the time called the Soulstorm. In addition to threatening arrest for those that broke this decree, it was declared that breaking this prohibition would result in a permanent expulsion from either organization.[10][note 1]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. The events of the Living City Ravens Bluff campaign took place on a timeline that advanced together with the real world's time. Even though all Living City adventures and issues of Ravens Bluff Trumpeter were dated with real-world dates, there were events that received a DR year. The Living City timeline can be derived from Myrkyssa Jelan's historic events of the late 14th century DR. Myrkyssa Jelan attacked Ravens Bluff in 1370 DR, according to The City of Ravens Bluff and Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition; these events are chronicled in an in-and-out of universe issues of Ravens Bluff Trumpeter. This places the real world year 1997 as 1370 DR, and in 1998 (1371 DR), Myrkyssa was at last arrested and tried and said to have been executed, only to reappear in 1372 DR in The City of Ravens novel. As the real world's months and the Calendar of Harptos are virtually identical, we can also date all events of the Living City Ravens Bluff as close as an in-universe month.

Appearances[]

External links[]

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following links do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki, nor does any lore presented necessarily adhere to established canon.

References[]

  1. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 68, 210, 259. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  2. Jeremy Crawford, James Wyatt, Keith Baker (November 2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 58. ISBN 978-0-7869-6692-9.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Rob Heinsoo, Andy Collins, James Wyatt (June 2008). Player's Handbook 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 160. ISBN 0-7869-4867-1.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 253. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
  5. David "Zeb" Cook (August 1989). Player's Handbook (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 139. ISBN 0-88038-716-5.
  6. Sam Witt (March 1994). The Complete Sha'ir's Handbook. Edited by Dezra D. Phillips, C. Terry Phillips. (TSR, Inc.), p. 124. ISBN 1-56076-828-2.
  7. Gary Gygax (August, 1985). Unearthed Arcana (1st edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 54. ISBN 0880380845.
  8. Jeff Grubb (August 1989). “Concordance of Arcane Space”. Spelljammer: AD&D Adventures in Space (TSR, Inc.), pp. 79–80. ISBN 0-88038-762-9.
  9. Sean K. Reynolds, Duane Maxwell, Angel McCoy (August 2001). Magic of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 138. ISBN 0-7869-1964-7.
  10. Daniel S. Donnelly ed. (August 1998). The Trumpeter 2, no. 8 (link). (RPGA), p. 2.
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