Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site spp2.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!trwrb!trwspp!spp2!urban From: urban@spp2.UUCP Newsgroups: net.games.frp Subject: Re: Some new AD&D spells for MUs ("Immolation") Message-ID: <362@spp2.UUCP> Date: Tue, 15-Jan-85 12:41:34 EST Article-I.D.: spp2.362 Posted: Tue Jan 15 12:41:34 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 18-Jan-85 01:20:20 EST References: <659@utcsrgv.UUCP> Reply-To: urban@spp2.UUCP (Mike Urban) Distribution: net Organization: TRW, Redondo Beach CA Lines: 18 Summary: Please, will somebody look up the word "immolate" in a dictionary? It means "to sacrifice" or "to offer in sacrifice", or secondarily "to destroy". It does *not* mean "surround with flames" nor does it have anything to do with fire. A mage who "self-immolates" will not be around to teach anyone how to do the spell (except a` la Obi-wan Kenobi). The misuse of this word seems to stem from the original D&D Three Rulebooks, in which Balrogs are said to "immolate" or burst into flame. Gygax was probably thinking of the final scene in Gotterdamerung when Brunhilda throws herself on the funeral pyre; this is often referred to as the "immolation scene." The original rule books were full of fractured English. The "lightening" spell was a bolt of electricity, but was not notable for making things lighter. Mike "too long since I've played this stuff" Urban trwrb!trwspp!spp2!urban