Fly Spell - underwater & move silently?

[FreeTheSlaves]

Simply put, does the fly spell allow underwater movement or affect the move silently skill?

Having reread the spell description, I am thinking it has no effect underwater and only removes the ground underfoot modifiers.

What's the verdicts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Celebrim]

It has no effect underwater. It gives you a flying speed. This is not the same as a swimming speed and things that can fly cannot necessarily swim.

It grants you the most favorable modifier for moving on a surface. That is to say, if it is concievable to you that walking on a particular surface could make it easier to move silently, then you should give the bonus for moving on the most favorable surface. That said, flying is normally rapid movement, and if the person flies rapidly they will suffer the circumstantial penalties you'd expect for rapid motion. All in all, I'd say the two normally cancel each other out and you don't have to worry about it.

 

[Musrum]

You will be able to fly a half speed, but with maneuverability reduced by one grade. (MotP pg 77)

 

[Whimsical]

I allow fly to work at half speed underwater. I also allow it to add +10 to move silently.

 

[Deset Gled]

You will be able to fly a half speed, but with maneuverability reduced by one grade. (MotP pg 77)

That is a special property of the elemental plane of water, not a general rule. As written, fly grants no aid in water.

I do find it entertaining that it is sometimes easier for a PC to fly than swim. It reminds me of Water Breathing, which makes it easier to breath water than to purify air.

 

[Musrum]

That is a special property of the elemental plane of water, not a general rule. As written, fly grants no aid in water.

Our it is a consequence of the game designers having to sit down and think about flying underwater, rather than concentrating and tweaking that cool new +2/+2 skill feat...