Hi all. I've been arguing this with a few others for months. To make a very story short, is it theoretically possible to use the Level 14 Transmutation Wizard Feature (Major Transformation) to transmute a block of wood into an edible apple? I need answers.
“You can transmute one nonmagical object—no larger than a 5-foot cube—into another nonmagical object of similar size and mass and of equal or lesser value. You must spend 10 minutes handling the object to transform it.“
I can’t see how you couldn’t. It seems like a pretty unambitious effort, honestly. Are we arguing over the definition of value?
In edge cases, I let myself be guided by Fullmetal Alchemist, if that helps.
The other person in this argument argues that you cannot transmute a dead object (wood block) into an "alive" object (apple). We are hoping for some opinions to settle the debate.
An apple is not an alive object. It is a seed container which is designed to fall off of an alive object, ie, an apple tree.
Also, what Xalthu said. RAW, it’s just fine.
As I say, in edge cases, I default to Fullmetal Alchemist. There’s a law in that that suggests the “two” items have to have some similar qualities, before and after. So, you couldn’t turn a stone into an apple, but a block of wood? I’d say yes. Each is vegetable matter. Turning a block of wood into a living tree? RAW, I think it’s okay, but I can see another DM thinking otherwise.
The block of wood would need to be of equal or greater value than the apple, so a block of wood might not do the job, but 'object' does not mean 'inorganic'.
A block of wood is as alive as an apple, just because something is edible for humans doesn't mean it is alive. Both are organic matters.
With the right chemical treatments you could make parts of the wood edible, by the way.
Anyway, RAW, you could turn any non-magic OBJECT, meaning, anything that is not a creature in D&D, so you could even turn a big rock into an apple, given you met the cost requirements.
The other person in this argument argues that you cannot transmute a dead object (wood block) into an "alive" object (apple). We are hoping for some opinions to settle the debate.
I think that's sort of an arbitrary distinction to draw; apples aren't alive (once they're off the tree anyway); they're "potential future life" in the same way a bag of seeds are potential future flowers. In effect you'd just be re-arranging wood fibres into something edible.
A block of wood is as alive as an apple, just because something is edible for humans doesn't mean it is alive. Both are organic matters.
Well, no, an apple is actually at least potentially alive (it can sprout into a tree), wood (unless very green twigs) is dead. That's not a distinction D&D cares about, though.
If in doubt, just transmute the wood into a "dead" apple. Whatever that means.
If the DM is worried about seeding an orchard, then just have the apple be seedless.
Assuming an apple pie isn't "alive", then you could also transform it into a "cooked", "dehydrated, "pasturized", or "peeled" apple, or whatever. At some point it is processed to a point of acceptability.
Hi all. I've been arguing this with a few others for months. To make a very story short, is it theoretically possible to use the Level 14 Transmutation Wizard Feature (Major Transformation) to transmute a block of wood into an edible apple? I need answers.
If say yes, if the block of wood was of “of similar size and mass” as the apple.
“You can transmute one nonmagical object—no larger than a 5-foot cube—into another nonmagical object of similar size and mass and of equal or lesser value. You must spend 10 minutes handling the object to transform it.“
I can’t see how you couldn’t. It seems like a pretty unambitious effort, honestly. Are we arguing over the definition of value?
In edge cases, I let myself be guided by Fullmetal Alchemist, if that helps.
The other person in this argument argues that you cannot transmute a dead object (wood block) into an "alive" object (apple). We are hoping for some opinions to settle the debate.
The description of the power only says non magical. As long as it’s not a magic apple, you’re fine.
An apple is not an alive object. It is a seed container which is designed to fall off of an alive object, ie, an apple tree.
Also, what Xalthu said. RAW, it’s just fine.
As I say, in edge cases, I default to Fullmetal Alchemist. There’s a law in that that suggests the “two” items have to have some similar qualities, before and after. So, you couldn’t turn a stone into an apple, but a block of wood? I’d say yes. Each is vegetable matter. Turning a block of wood into a living tree? RAW, I think it’s okay, but I can see another DM thinking otherwise.
The block of wood would need to be of equal or greater value than the apple, so a block of wood might not do the job, but 'object' does not mean 'inorganic'.
A block of wood is as alive as an apple, just because something is edible for humans doesn't mean it is alive. Both are organic matters.
With the right chemical treatments you could make parts of the wood edible, by the way.
Anyway, RAW, you could turn any non-magic OBJECT, meaning, anything that is not a creature in D&D, so you could even turn a big rock into an apple, given you met the cost requirements.
I think that's sort of an arbitrary distinction to draw; apples aren't alive (once they're off the tree anyway); they're "potential future life" in the same way a bag of seeds are potential future flowers. In effect you'd just be re-arranging wood fibres into something edible.
Well, no, an apple is actually at least potentially alive (it can sprout into a tree), wood (unless very green twigs) is dead. That's not a distinction D&D cares about, though.
Are you suggesting that the boundaries for Major Transformation are the same as Minor Alchemy?
Oops I removed my post after misreading.
If the DM determine that an apple is an object, it could qualify as a Major Transmutation from a block of wood.
If in doubt, just transmute the wood into a "dead" apple. Whatever that means.
If the DM is worried about seeding an orchard, then just have the apple be seedless.
Assuming an apple pie isn't "alive", then you could also transform it into a "cooked", "dehydrated, "pasturized", or "peeled" apple, or whatever. At some point it is processed to a point of acceptability.