Talk:Green Rain (Evil Weather Supplement)

Green Rain Ambiguities

Given the tremendous amount of acid damage Green Rain pumps out (if you'll pardon the phrase), I'd like to see a little more information on time (1-4 rounds, 1-4 hours, 1-4 days, 1-4 weeks) and perhaps some discussion of what might happen in those various scenarios.

Whether ‘Paladins’ or ‘Paladins of evil dieties’ remain unaffected by Green Rain is ambiguous as well. Presumably it's the former, but as this is out in a variant rule, the ambiguity is best resolved.

Green Rain, as formulated, does acid damage to creatures — object, such as thatched huts and non-creature plants, are not affected. Is this the intent?

Vile Reanimation, as currently written, could reanimate that which would otherwise be ineligible for reanimation: constructs and oozes (for example).

It's interesting, and I'd like to see it better fleshed out. Roszlishan 20:48, 2 December 2007 (MST)

The Green Rain, more so than any other of the evil weather rules, has such a grandiose effect that it should only be used by a DM for plot purposes. In fact, it is best used as the background occurrence in which to make a separate task all the more desperate and dramatic, and so it will need to be modified to fit the particular needs of any campaign. With that said, here are some specific responses. In all of these cases, it is important to remember that Green Rain is a massive evil occurrence with effects that will change depending upon the needs of the campaign.

1. In terms of duration, I agree that the length of time acid falls is quite important. First of all, the rain (as mentioned) should last at least a few minutes (not rounds), and potentially can last for years (or even permanently, if it is necessary to the campaign). Once again, the exact duration is at the behest of the DM to determine. If you feel like this is an inadequate explanation, then rationalize it with the explanation that the will of the cruel, evil deities that power the Green Rain is inscrutable to mortals, and their decisions can never be interpreted as more than whimsy, chance, or fate, none of which are quantifiable. The effects should be easily extrapolated: all organic matter not protected by structures (including natural ones) is quickly destroyed (at the rate of 1 hit point per round), and those things with skeletons are immediately raised as uncontrolled skeletons of the appropriate size. Even if the rain only lasts for a short time, it can devastate an area with the destruction of all agriculture, forests, and livestock, as well as the possible poisoning of rivers and lakes (and the destruction of life there, in event of contamination).
2. Paladins, according to the SRD, cannot worship evil deities. It is assumed that the rules used are SRD unless explicitly mentioned. Thus, there is no ambiguity here. If a DM uses a setting where (Anti-)Paladins can worship evil deities, then he or she can evaluate the rule overlap as it arises, though-- since evil clerics are not affected-- then it is a logical extension that Anti-Paladins are not affected.
3. No, Green Rain does acid damage to every "organic being caught in the open." Thus, plants are affected. You are correct; structures, such as thatched huts or castles, as well as natural landforms, such as rocks or the earth, are not affected. Thus, the Green Rain does not alter the geography (or physical makeup of the settlements) of an area, but-- given enough exposure-- will destroy all life that is not able to live under cover for long periods of time. Obviously, the acid could also pool and contaminate lakes and even create artificial rivers of acid, should the effect last long enough. Finally, the important note here is that, should the characters more around under, for example, a large door or an umbrella, they would be immune to the acid damage unless the rain splashed up on them or the umbrella broke, etc. So, it is almost an option to just try to "wait out" the Green Rain. Except that, if you hole yourself up and "wait it out", you can expect a very large army of undead to home in on your position rather quickly. Thus, the thrill of having to pick between the rain or the undead. :)
4. No, Green Rain cannot reanimate constructs, since only things killed by the acid are reanimated, and constructs are immune to the acid. You are, however, right about the oozes: as written, oozes could be reanimated. I have changed the wording to signal that only creatures with skeletal systems can be reanimated (this rules out oozes). Thank you for pointing that out!

Thanks for you criticism! I hope this was able to help you understand the Rain better. I think I might expand the page to include information about the prolonged effects of the Rain and a few plot ideas for DMs, including using the rain as a backdrop for a story, using the Rain as part of a survival horror story, and using the Rain in conjunction with a powerful villain that is immune to its effects (such as a pillaging black dragon hoping heroes hole up or a lich that is immune to the acid and can bring the undead under his control). –EldritchNumen 20:10, 3 December 2007 (MST)

I must have misread ‘beings’ for ’creatures‘ but yes, this helps. I don't think any of the issues, resolved or not, would prevent a DM from incorporating Green Rain into a game — a DM who can't interpret a little is going to have a very hard time indeed. Thank you for the clarifications, and the response. Roszlishan 12:44, 4 December 2007 (MST)