Scalenex
2017-09-02, 04:39 PM
I know the spell can let adventurers get potable water from a muddy stream by the road, but what about seawater?
Does the 0th level spell create a quantity of drinkable water or does it create a quantity of sparkling clean saltwater?
I don't think even in a high magic setting, a large population center can rustle enough low level clerics to manage a large population's entire water supply, besides not everyone would want it. Making water safe to drink if a fantastic excuse to make alcoholic beverages. A low level cleric should be able to produce enough water for a large cargo vessel or small warship, so said ship can probably sail much farther because they don't need to carry as much water or make as many supply stops. That has implications for shipping, infrastructure, and communication that lets an empire manage farther holdings.
Second question. Does the Purify Food/Drink spell make contaminants disappear or does it dump them out in small pile nearby? If the orison can desalinate sea water, then it can also be used to manufacture quantities of sea salt faster and possibly cheaper than the medieval tech solutions of boiling seawater or leaving big vats of sea water to evaporate in the sun. It'd be of mild interest to world building if people bought their salt from the local temple.
When the elders make the aolytes fetch the temple's water in the morning, might as well make them collect some salt too.
Does the 0th level spell create a quantity of drinkable water or does it create a quantity of sparkling clean saltwater?
I don't think even in a high magic setting, a large population center can rustle enough low level clerics to manage a large population's entire water supply, besides not everyone would want it. Making water safe to drink if a fantastic excuse to make alcoholic beverages. A low level cleric should be able to produce enough water for a large cargo vessel or small warship, so said ship can probably sail much farther because they don't need to carry as much water or make as many supply stops. That has implications for shipping, infrastructure, and communication that lets an empire manage farther holdings.
Second question. Does the Purify Food/Drink spell make contaminants disappear or does it dump them out in small pile nearby? If the orison can desalinate sea water, then it can also be used to manufacture quantities of sea salt faster and possibly cheaper than the medieval tech solutions of boiling seawater or leaving big vats of sea water to evaporate in the sun. It'd be of mild interest to world building if people bought their salt from the local temple.
When the elders make the aolytes fetch the temple's water in the morning, might as well make them collect some salt too.