Summoned Flying Creatures

[elbandit]

Howdy!

When you summon a flying creature through the use of a spell, can the flying creature appear in the air?

I ask because the wording on the conjuration spell discription seems to both allow and disallow the creature from appearing in the air.

Thanks!

 

[jodyjohnson]

Offhand I think it says creatures must be summoned into a surface capable of supporting them - if they can fly that might include 'air', if they can swim 'water'.

 

[elbandit]

Hmmm

Actually it does say that it has to be a surface capable of supporting the creature right after it states that the creature cannot appear in an empty space. Hence my condumdrum since both portions conflict each other.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

The problem is that that particular text is in place to prevent the "Whale Bomb" phenomenon - you know, summon a whale several hundred feet in the air, and let it drop on your enemies.

Given that rationale, I'd allow flying creatures to be summoned in midair, with the caveat that, when they appear, they start off flying, not falling.