The Rains of Raggadorr
Classification: Extradimensional meteorological event
Creator: Raggadorr
User/Possessors: Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange)
possibly Baron (Karl) Mordo
First Appearance: Marvel Premiere I#5 (November, 1972)
Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Rains have
cleansing effects, removing some curses and their consequences. They
seem particularly effective against leeching/draining origins.
The Rains
could have other life-favoring functions (see
comments).
History:
(Marvel Premiere I#5) - When he investigated in
Starkesboro, Doctor Strange had to fight Ebora
and Sligguth.
The green-scaled demon managed to infect him with a curse: the curse of
the fiends of the Fungol Thopa. Fungus spots formed upon Strange's
body, draining his very life. Strange conjured the Rains of Raggadorr,
the rich waters of which washed away the Fungus and its effects.
Comments: Created by Gardner Fox and Irv Wesley
The Manual of Magic (TSR6870) suggested that the Rains coming from the dimension of Raggadorr may be powerful enough to support life without any other need of sustenance; the Rains might also grant good health and increased longevity to its inhabitants. The hypothesis took into consideration that Kaluu aged very slowly in the 500 years he lived in the Raggadorr's dimension.
Dr. Strange conjured the
Rains while other spells were already in action: the Flames of the
Faltine and the Crystals of Cyttorak.
It is rare to see two enchantments contemporaneously maintained by the
same caster. In those cases, it is likely that one of the spells did
nott actually need concentration to go on, and that it would fade after
some time. The Flames hit for at least some seconds. Strange also
mentioned "the sacred fires." However, tiny sparks burned Sligguth's
hide after the Crystals hit him. The motes kept on burning even after
the Rains of Raggadorr started falling. The origins of the "sacred fires" or the "energy motes" is
unclear:
Profile by Spidermay
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Rains of Raggadorr have no known connection to:
Given the almost-miraculous effects of
the Rains, it's easy to consider the Rains of Raggadorr as a spell
itself.
Their power can be
recalled outside the Raggadorr dimension through Conjuration spells.
In that case, the caster needs only few seconds to enact the
enchantment. The Rains have been seen appearing in a point chosen by
the magic-user, not far than 30 feet and with an area of effect not
wider than 10 feet of diameter. The spell and the Rains keep on
pouring if the caster keeps on concentrating.
--Marvel Premiere I#5
In the Hyborian Era, the Mists of
Ragador were used by Renrutanit the
witch, to make a truth serum, to learn from Keiv
about Conan.
--Conan the Barbarian I#180
Note: Given the wondrous qualities of the Rains, it isn't impossible that other meteorological events in Raggadorr's dimension would have other extraordinary qualities as well. On Earth, the mist is rich with water, while the rain is made of water. The equivalent of water in the Raggadorr Dimension has probably more qualities than Earth's water.
As the mystic principalities are ancient, generally older than Earth,
there's no reason they could not be referenced circa 10,000 B.C. It is
a little atypical to reference such beings in the Conan comics, but we
definitely see some crossover from the mainstream Marvel Comics/Modern
era into the Conan comics, including beings like Shuma-Gorath and Varnae.
--Snood
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Mists of Ragador have no known connection to:Appearances:
Conan the Barbarian I#180 (March, 1986) - Jim Owsley (writer), John
Buscema (pencils), Bob Camp (inks), George Roussos (chine), Larry Hama
and Jim Shooter (editors)
(Doctor Strange: Dimension War - Novel ~ Strange Tales
I#126/2) - In an alternate reality, very similar to Earth-616, Doctor
Strange also became a Master of Mystic Arts and journeyed to the Dark
Dimension. As happened to his 616 counterpart, he was attacked by a
golden Golem capable of absorbing the spell cast at it, becoming more
powerful.
Differently from what happened in the 616 reality, however, Strange
found the solution into the Rains of Raggadorr. He conjured them, made
them pour on the Golem, and had them wash out all the magic within it.
Deprived of its magic nourishment, the Golem's height decreased at less
than one foot and it was easily crushed by Strange.
Comments: In Reality-616, in Strange Tales I#126,
when Doctor Strange confronted the Golden Golem, he used "the
strongest spell of all...", which was not named, but had been
suggested by Oshtur (behind-the-scenes? by Divination?). Strange shot
a magic wavering beam not different from the previous ones used in the
fight. The effect was similar to that in the Dimension War reality,
because the Golem shrunk to annihilation. It is unlikely that Strange
used the Rains of Raggadorr.
The images on the right are from the Strange Tales story.
(Spider-Man: The Animated Series -
Season#3, Episode#1) - In the alternate reality Earth-92131, the Rains of Raggadorr were a bit different. Mordo
summoned them to attack Doctor Strange.
The verbal component of the spell was: "I call down
the Rain of Raggadorr".
The Rains seemed like golden drops falling in a very limited area of effect
(5 feet), ignoring the other enemies nearby. The Master of Mystic Arts
protected himself simply using his cloak to cover himself.
Meanwhile,
Mordo was able to attack by eldritch blasts. However, when Strange
summoned the Rings of Raggador as a barrier, the Rain bounced back,
hitting the ceiling, smashing it quite easily.
Images: (without ads)
Marvel Premiere I#5, page 7, panel 2 (the Rains free Dr. Strange from
the curse)
Strange Tales I#126/2, page 5 panel 8+page 6, panel 1 (Dr. Strange
battling the golden Golem, without the Rains)
Spider-Man: The Animated Series - Season#3, Episode#1, minute 15:00 -
15:15 (the Rains conjured by Mordo, falling on Strange)
Appearances:
Marvel Premiere I#5 (November, 1972) - Gardner Fox (writer), Irv Wesley
(pencils), Don Perlin (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Mystic Arcana: The Book of
Marvel Magic/Octessence Profile (2007) - David Sexton, Jeff Christiansen
(head writers/coordinators), Madison Carter, Michael Hoskin, Eric J.
Moreels, Ronald Byrd, Chad Anderson, Al Sjoerdsma, Mark O'English, Chris
Biggs, Stuart Vandal (writers), Jeff Youngquist, Jennifer Grunwald
(editors)
Mentions:
MHAC 9 - Realms of Magic, Book 1 and 2 - TSR (before August, 1986) - Kim
Eastland (designer), Ed Sollers (editor)
Appearances in other realities:
Spider-Man: The Animated Series - Season#3, Episode#1 (April, 1996) -
John Semper, Jr. & Mark Hoffmeier (writers), John Vernon (Doctor
Strange's voice), C.K. Horness (editor)
Doctor Strange: Dimension War - Titan Books (2024) - James Lovegrove
(writer)
First mentioned in Raggadorr's profile:
05/31/2011
First Posted as a main profile: 03/22/2024
Last Updated: 03/22/2024
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
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