
Maerimydra |

Hi
Just wondering if the burst effect of channel energy healing has any visible effect (other than the cleric etc presenting his holy symbol). Just wondering as the cleric in our game wanted to do this while sneaking in the dark.
Thanks.
Are you the GM in this game? If you are then it's your call. If it was in my gamne I would say yes, but the visible effects could only be observed on the visible affected creatures, thus not necessarily betraying the location of the hidden cleric.

Arbalester |

I'd say it's up to the GM and fluff text, just make sure to keep it consistent. It could be anything from a blast of holy light to just some chanting over the holy symbol. I may even rule that the cleric can make a Stealth check at some penalty to use it without being detected, or at least without being pinpointed.

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Whether there are visible effects for the channeler channeling is undefined and is a matter of play style. Personally, I like providing in game clues as to what is going on. Channeling itself will provide the visible effect of wounds healing or undead getting damaged. If there is no visible effect from the caster and if the opponents don't have the skills to recognize that he is doing so from the action, say: a Knowledge (religion) check, they may see the healing/damaging taking place, but not necessarily where it is coming from.

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It doesn't create light, but the GM might describe some visible effect, such as a rippling wave that makes everything seem clearer and brighter for a moment (I've definitely done the reverse for negative channeling).
The cleric has to present his holy symbol, as you say, which means showing it to the targets with an emphatic gesture. They don't have to be able to see it, but if they can, the cleric is not being stealthy and the targets can make Knowledge (religion) checks to recognise the symbol (note also that channelling is a burst and must have line of effect to each target). The cleric does not have to make any sound.