Call Lightning Limitations? (Druid)

[Gizzard]

The 3rd level Druid spell Call Lightning says that it creates a 30' vertical stroke of lightning and that it can be used indoors. Are there any limitations (or advantages) to casting it inside? Ie, if I cast it in a standard 10' high dungeon corridor does it:

a) bounce vertically three times in the corridor (like a lightning bolt) until it reaches a full 30' length?
b) the spell fizzles because it cant create a full 30' stroke?
c) the spell damages the dungeon floor / ceiling for 3d6 as well, trying to extend to a full 30'?
d) the spell just does a 10' stroke with no side effects?
e) or something else?

 

[Shayuri]

The 3rd level Druid spell Call Lightning says that it creates a 30' vertical stroke of lightning and that it can be used indoors. Are there any limitations (or advantages) to casting it inside? Ie, if I cast it in a standard 10' high dungeon corridor does it:

a) bounce vertically three times in the corridor (like a lightning bolt) until it reaches a full 30' length?
b) the spell fizzles because it cant create a full 30' stroke?
c) the spell damages the dungeon floor / ceiling for 3d6 as well, trying to extend to a full 30'?
d) the spell just does a 10' stroke with no side effects?
e) or something else?

The answer is D).

Call Lightning is capable of creating 30' strokes from the storm location (which can be indoors), but like most spells, the maximum range isn't to be construed as any kind of minimum range. Just as Lightning Bolt does not -have- to reach it's full length (bouncing is SO 2nd Ed ), neither does Call Lightning.

 

[Steve Jung]

The 3rd level Druid spell Call Lightning says that it creates a 30' vertical stroke of lightning and that it can be used indoors. Are there any limitations (or advantages) to casting it inside? Ie, if I cast it in a standard 10' high dungeon corridor does it:

a) bounce vertically three times in the corridor (like a lightning bolt) until it reaches a full 30' length?
b) the spell fizzles because it cant create a full 30' stroke?
c) the spell damages the dungeon floor / ceiling for 3d6 as well, trying to extend to a full 30'?
d) the spell just does a 10' stroke with no side effects?
e) or something else?

Well it can't be a), because lightning bolts in 3.xed don't bounce. Other than that I don't know.

Yeah what Shayuri said.

 

[Gizzard]

(bouncing is SO 2nd Ed )

Or so 1st Ed in my case. I can't believe that they nerfed Lightning Bolt in 3E. Lightning Bolt got the shaft! ;-)

Given that though, (D) seems right for Call Lightning. Thanks much.

 

[youspoonybard]

Heh. Pile a bunch of shamblers on top of one another, then call lightning a few times...

 

[HeavyG]

I would say it's c), but it would affect the ground before the ceiling, IMO.

Just like a lightning bolt cast with a wall 40' ahead of you would try to damage the wall and continue on.

Of course, 3d6 lightning damage is only going to do cosmetic damage to a stone floor, so the point is moot most of the time.