Horrid Wilting vs Fire Elemental

[andargor]

Horrid Wilting specifies the following:

This spell evaporates moisture from the body of each subject living creature, dealing 1d6 points of damage per caster level (maximum 20d6). This spell is especially devastating to water elementals and plant creatures, which instead take 1d8 points of damage per caster level (maximum 20d8).

A Fire Elemental does not have moisture, but is a living creature. So, is it affected by this spell? What about constructs?

EDIT: Ok, a construct may not be a living creature, but the original question stands.

Andargor

 

[Patlin]

Of the four basic elemental types, only water is a valid target for Horrid Wilting. Constructs and undead are also safe from that spell.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Hmm...since Water Elementals are mentioned specifically, I'd assume it would just effect Fire Elementals normally. Why mention one special case and not another?

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Of the four basic elemental types, only water is a valid target for Horrid Wilting. Constructs and undead are also safe from that spell.

...or that works. I really need to dig out my books again.

 

[Joshua Randall]

Don't read more or less into the spell than there is.

Horrid Wilting
Targets:Living creatures, no two of which can be more than 60 ft. apart

Is a fire elemental a living creature as defined by the game rules? Yes. Therefor it is a valid target for a horrid wilting spell.

 

[andargor]

Don't read more or less into the spell than there is.

Horrid Wilting
Targets:Living creatures, no two of which can be more than 60 ft. apart

Is a fire elemental a living creature as defined by the game rules? Yes. Therefor it is a valid target for a horrid wilting spell.

I was looking for the specific quote for "living creature". As a reference:

Many spells affect 'living creatures,' which means all creatures other than constructs and undead. Creatures in the spell's area that are not of the appropriate type do not count against the creatures affected.

By the RAW, I agree that a Fire Elemental would be affected. It just doesn't make sense with the description.

Andargor

 

[Thanee]

Maybe fire elementals have fuel to evaporate.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Scion]

SRD:
Elemental Type: An elemental is a being composed of one of the four classical elements: air, earth, fire, or water.
Features: An elemental has the following features.
—8-sided Hit Dice.
—Base attack bonus equal to 3/4 total Hit Dice (as cleric).
—Good saves depend on the element: Fortitude (earth, water) or Reflex (air, fire).
—Skill points equal to (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) per Hit Die, with quadruple skill points for the first Hit Die.
Traits: An elemental possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature’s entry).
—Darkvision out to 60 feet.
—Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, and stunning.
—Not subject to critical hits or flanking.
—Unlike most other living creatures, an elemental does not have a dual nature—its soul and body form one unit. When an elemental is slain, no soul is set loose. Spells that restore souls to their bodies, such as raise dead, reincarnate, and resurrection, don’t work on an elemental. It takes a different magical effect, such as limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection, to restore it to life.
—Proficient with natural weapons only, unless generally humanoid in form, in which case proficient with all simple weapons and any weapons mentioned in its entry.
—Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) that it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Elementals not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Elementals are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
—Elementals do not eat, sleep, or breathe


Is this what you are looking for? Emphasis mine.

Still though, horrid wilting 'evaporates moisture', it doesnt necissarily say water however (although that is what would be assumed would be evaportated. The fire elemental himself is not very well explained, at least in the srd. Perhaps it is actually a spongy, fiery substance and removing whatever fiery liquid that allows him to move as he does breaks him up causing damage?

Take it and run with it however you like of course Earth elementals you evaporate the acid that holds them together (or sublimation?), air elementals you dry them out carrying away the bonds of their form, fire elementals some strange fluid part of their substance is evaporated away in a fashion that heat never could.

 

[Patlin]

OK, I conced elementals are considered living creatures. I still think, even under the rules as written, that the actual text of the spell ought to be given some meaning. Getting water from a creature of pure flame or rock is just silly. Kind of like blood from a stone...

 

[Scion]

Simply assume that every living creature has some sort of liquid that it uses for important things and go on from there.

Earth elemental uses acid for whatever it is that it uses acid for.

Fire elemental uses Brand X (tm) for whatever it is that it uses Brand X (tm) for.

Maybe fire elementals are some sort of congealed napalm like substance, getting rid of some of that is like tearing away its life force.