Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 JohnLynch Dec 17, 2014 22:30:52	Last month we were playing a 5th edition game when the party were trying to covertly defeat an enemy in a fight without drawing attention from the surrounding region. With players learning the rules (which we all are) I don't put too much emphasis on describing in great detail every attack, especially for at-will ones. However someone pointed out an interesting feature of sacred flame:   Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw.   With that pointed out it seemed reasonable that nearby creatures might notice a flame-like radiance descending into a nearby region in the supposedly abandoned town, so I rolled perception checks and they noticed. This immediately introduced complications for the players and led to a much more epic and enjoyable battle with a couple of close calls. Much fun was had by all.   Does anyone else use non-mechanical aspects of spells and such to have in-game repercussions? Or do you just ignore the flavour like I have been and instead use it as a radiant crossbow bolt that deals 1d8 radiant damage?
#2 ankiyavon Dec 17, 2014 22:52:47	I absolutely consider the flavor text to be a vital part of the spell's effect in the game world.     Fire spells might light things on fire, ice spells make things cold, and so on.  A spell that describes a vivid glow?  If you cast that on Weathertop, a party of hobbits led by a ranger might be able to see it for miles away.
#3 Gnarl Dec 18, 2014 3:56:35	I do! But I don't consider this as flavor text though. For me, a spell isn't 1d8 radiant damage, it's a flame-like radiance that just happens to deal 1d8 radiant damage.   Believe it or not, but firearms go "bang" in my games ;).
#4 sleypy Dec 18, 2014 4:29:20	I consider the flavor text to be absolutely important to capturing the fantasy aspect of the game. This applies to abilities other than spell casting as well.   I will allow a player to tweak how their spell would look, as long as it doesn't change its affect. So I consider it flavor text for the sake of distinguishing the part of a spell or ability that I will let a player change without having to make a new spell. YMMV.