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Sunburst was an arcane evocation and divine spell that blinded and damaged nearby enemies.[1][3][4][5][6]

Effects[]

There were a few different versions of this spell that developed over time. The earliest version was centered on the caster, and indeed the radiance was emitted from the caster's person out to a minimum radius of 160 ft (49 m); even farther for more experienced casters.[4][5][6] Later versions could be cast at a point far away and burst with a fixed size.[1][3] The pre-Spellplague version had a range of at least 1,000 ft (305 m) and an 80 ft (24 m) radius of effect.[3] The post-Second Sundering version could only be cast out to 150 ft (46 m) and burst in a 60 ft (18 m) radius.[1]

Sunburst caused a globe of searing heat and radiance to explode instantly and silently from the caster or the targeted point. All creatures in the globe had a chance to be blinded and damaged by the heat.[1][3][4][5][6] Creatures that could see in darkness,[4][5] or to whom sunlight was harmful[4][5][6] (such as vampires) or unnatural[3] (such as drow) were affected more severely. Undead creatures caught within the globe also suffered greater effects,[4][5][6] sometimes resulting in the complete destruction of undead creatures susceptible to sunlight.[3] The ultraviolet light generated by the spell also damaged fungi, mold, oozes, slimes, jellies, puddings, and fungoid creatures just as if they were undead creatures.[3][4][5][6]

The later versions of this spell also dispelled any magical darkness within the area of effect.[1][3]

Components[]

In addition to verbal and somatic components, this spell required a piece of sunstone and an open, unshielded flame to cast.[1][3][4][5][6]

History[]

This spell appeared in a diary by an unknown mage believed to have lived in the mid-13th century DR. The book was given the name Against the Undead by one of its readers.[7] Sometime after it was discovered it was published in Volo's Guide to All Things Magical and became generally known,[8] but it was uncommon to find it.[9]

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References[]

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