Lava: where are the rules?

[webrunner]

its just that i'm puzzled as to where everyone got the info.

same principle wold apply in any situation where the game rules as written are more important: RPGA events, for example.

Usually, in pre-made modules (the sort run at RPGA events) the lava would be statted out in the module. For example: in the example dungeon at the end of the DMG, there's a pool of sludge in the first room. It's effects when you fall into it are statted there.

There is not, however, a "pool of sludge" table for the effects of various pools of sludges to generically use.

The same applies for lava: Even though there's no 'lava table', if you do include lava in your campaign, then you figure out, based on what you know about lava, the campaign, and who is around, that the pool of lava in your campaign has this effect, and does this when you fall in, and does this if the creature has the "fire" keyword, etc.

 

[hamishspence]

hotness

I would, if using that model, describe it differently: weak lava is black, crusty, partially cooled. When you are immobilized you have got your foot stuck through the crust.

High level lava would be hot, orange-yellow, runny. and large amounts: a huge pool inside a volcano, not a thin stream a long way from the vent.

 

[hamishspence]

info

So why am a seeing Untyped damge: autokill, everywhere?

It was one of the things some people said was more realistic (no more swimming in it) and others less (dead red dragons)

Where did that piece of info come from?

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

A lava pool or stream is an environmental hazard much like a trap. I'd even say that the trap could be "disarmed or destroyed" with cold damage.

Here's an interesting question: would you give your players xp for overcoming lava?

 

[lukelightning]

Here's an interesting question: would you give your players xp for overcoming lava?

Yes, if it's a significant obstacle. Treat it like a trap.

 

[Dausuul]

They dont give much in the way of any specific "hindering terrain" (incidentally doesnt that seem like a really euphemistic way of saying 'terrain that will damage and usually kill you outright') rules.. I think the DM is supposed to play it by ear. If the player says "What happens if I stick my foot in lava" then the DM says "Your foot melts off, you are dropped to 0 hp, and you have these drawbacks due to now no longer having a foot". If the player says "What happens if I stick my foot in the lava using my fire-proof boots" then they'd say "as long as you dont go above the boots you're fine"

Actually, that depends on whether your DM subscribes to the theory of convection. It might well be that if you stick your foot in lava using your fire-proof boots, your foot is fine but the rest of you is fried like a turkey by the hot air rising off the lava.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Here's the rules reference for lava.

But to paraphrase: You fall in lava, you die. Save ends.

 

[SSquirrel]

Amusingly enough, there is only 1 reference to lava in the DMG (hindering terrain) but several in both the MM and PHB.

 

[MeMeMeMe]

So why am a seeing Untyped damge: autokill, everywhere?

Where did that piece of info come from?

Here
It's a comedic site that got posted a lot, and now a lot of people seem to think it came from the DMG.

It's not an official rule.

It also fails the reality test: in the real world, people (normal 0-level commoners, or maybe 3rd-level scientists) have fallen into lava, and survived. There was one instance of a geologist who fell into the path of a lave flow, was completely submerged, and then rescued - and survived with actually only fairly light burns, though he did need hospital treatment.

This isn't actually too surprising. Lava cools very very rapidly in contact with anything other than lava - even human skin. When it cools it is rock, and rock is a pretty good insulator.
So if you should happen to be covered by lava, the lava closest to your body will quickly cool, and form an insulating layer whioch will protect you from the lava further away.
Breathing could be a problem, though, not to mention the possible crushing damage, too.

As was mentioned earlier, if you do actually fall into (onto) lava, you won't sink - you'll float on the top and should be able to be rescued before it kills you (or, if you are conscious, just walk/stagger/stumble off it yourself).

 

[hamishspence]

lava solidifying

Its kind of consistant with immobilization effect of lava thrown by a fire titan. so, nice that the fire titans use of lava actually fits the real version. not perfectly though.