Memorable Moments: Create Water...

Memorable Moments will be a regular installment in this blog. Basically, it's all about retelling some of our more interesting experiences as Dnd players. And what a better way to start than with one moment in particular that we often remember...

For some reason i can't remember, our party is tasked with investigating a mountainous area near a town which was experiencing some sort of difficulty. At the time we were using 3rd Edition rules and our party was composed of a Bladesinger (myself), a Monk, a Rogue and a Cleric. Not the most balanced of parties but it worked well, mostly because of the Bladesinger's lack of respect of monsters ability to hit him. Back then, a well built Bladesinger could tank like nothing else. My own at the time was reaching between 30 to 35 Armor Class in combat. Most monsters at our level couldn't scratch his supreme armor and dodging skills <--- shameless self-promotion... 

And off we went, strolling through the mountains when suddenly we are beset by a very large  Fire Elemental. All busy appreciating the view, we couldn't see the beast in time and it caught us by surprise. First thing he does is approach the Cleric who was for some reason at the head of the party and starts pummeling him to oblivion... Initiative is called and the Cleric goes first. Time to get some payback, he thinks..

Cleric: "Ok, my turn.. I take a 5ft step backwards and cast Create Water" (starts looking up the description of the spell in the Players Handbook)

His idea was clear. He was going to attempt to drowse the Fire Elememental. Some discussion ensues, because some of us don't think that a low level spell like Create Water could do any more than create a lot of steam against such a large Fire Elemental. He sticks with it though...

Dungeon Master: "Ok, as you start muttering incantantions the Fire Elemental gets an attack of opportunity against you..."

Cleric: "What? But i took a 5ft step, i am out of his reach.."

Dungeon Master: "Actually no. Because of his size and height he can reach up to 10ft, so your casting a spell gets him a free attack. Ok, rolling dice... Oh look, a 20."

Back on 3rd Edition Dnd , rolling a natural 20 on the 20 sided die is an automatic hit and a critical hit, if a secondary roll confirms that the hit can penetrate the target's armor.

Dungeon Master: "Ok, critical confirmed. Rolling damage dice..."

Having already been badly hit by the Elemental's previous attacks, the critical damage is enough to kill the Cleric outright, to the sound of laughter all around the table. The Dungeon Master also ruled that the Create Water plan was definitely not going to work. 

We still managed to kill the elemental, mostly because he couldn't hit my Bladesinger, and we managed to revive the Cleric thanks to a travelling higher level Cleric who just happened to be in town. So remember kids, don't cast Create Water at Fire Elementals, especially if your still within their grasp. You just might end up splat on the floor.