Smallest thing in D&D

[zook1shoe]

Even going so far as steam not being tiny droplets of water, but rather its own variant of material combining Water and Air elements.

hmm ... in 1e and 2e, the Para- and Quasi- elementals were their own thing separate from 4 basics.
Steam ~= Water + Positive ; Ice ~= Air + Water ... except that Steam Is Steam , and Ice Is Ice.
So Steam is not a tiny droplet of water, rather it's very own element.  It is "Steam", not all that real-life b.s.


3e technically changed that.  I wonder if the descriptive text
of say the Lightning Quasi-Elemental, defines those as being
1 element instead of a combination of 2 (or more) elements ??
SRD has: Ice Mephit comes from Air ; Steam comes from Fire.
Very different.

I don't think 3e every 'changed' it, they just never included most of it. That's why the mephits come from just the basic elemental planes.

The closest they officially came, was the elemental plane of ice in the Manual of the Planes. But in several dragon magazines, there are references and creatures from the paraelemental and quasi-elemental planes

[Captnq]

And the flu is caused by viruses.

That's like saying “Water exists in D&D.  Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen atoms.  Therefore, hydrogen atoms exist in D&D.”  D&D may very well operate according to humorism and miasma theory.

In a vain effort to halt the spread of the virus, the modular sections of the vessel were sealed and then separated, each left to its own fate.

Now, last I checked, 2nd edition D&D is still considered D&D. So, here's your virus.

Viral Agent (Su): At 5th level, a cancer mage befriends a disease or virus that infests his body.

And viruses in 3.0

So, the original Criteria was, "Written in a D&D book" and here is your book, twice.

And I never claimed that water was made up of atoms. There is no indication that atoms exist in d20 3.X. You have to accept that Expedition to Barrier Peaks came from Metamorphosis Alpha like Issue #359 of dragon suggests. Otherwise, you cannot apply MA's matter rules to D&D. It does talk about radiation in EtBP, but there is no context. Is it alpha, beta, or gamma radiation? We do not know. Only alpha is considered a form of matter (being basically a helium atom stripped of it's electrons.) and so we cannot assume the type, UNLESS the crashed spaceship comes from MA, in which case, since MA does discuss the types of radiation, then alpha radiation exists. And if Protons and Neutrons exist, then the quarks that make them up exist.

Ergo, the smallest thing in D&D is a quark. (In retrospect, I suppose it's possible that in D&D quarks don't exist and protons and neutrons are the smallest thing. If you wish to be so technical, so be it. Then the answer changes to Helium Atom.)

However, I accept that my example is 2nd edition and thus is most likely NOT what the OP is looking for. Hence why I moved on to other examples of items that are small and have been published in a book.

Now, in D&D immortals boxed set, they discussed universes with less then the normal dimensions. 0 dimensions is as small as you can get. I mean, that's a single point that has no size at all. Can't get any smaller then zero. (Well, you can, but you start to deal with negative mass and that just gets messy.)

But, AGAIN, I assume this is not helpful to the OP. He did not define his question well, but I'm giving him all the answers just in case this IS helpful. For all I know he's a DM trying to run an adventure where the players get shrunk down and fall into a Horton Realm. Sort of like that episode of Mork and Mindy where Mork gets a cold and shrinks down to nothing, then falls into a form of alternate reality. (I believe the episode was Mork in Wonderland.)

or maybe he's trying to come up with a weird use for Polymorph any object. Whatever. My answers still stand.

[Captnq]

@ Captain Q
Which version I'm using was stated a few posts above yours, but is also irrelevant. The OP, with jerk level emphasis:

No need to use jerk level emphasis. I know what you are just fine.

Let's look at your post, shall we?

Just wondering, what is the absolute smallest thing in D&D. Smallest object or creature, doesn't matter, just smallest, but it must have its size mentioned in a D&D book.

Did you state what edition, or an I supposed to just MAGICALLY read your mind?

Now, the word "mentioned", do you know how many times I ripped this word apart when I worked for a law firm? The moment you entered this word into your question, you open any other documents that are even vaguely related. For example, if an object is "mentioned" in a book, I am free to look that object up in a dictionary. I am certain I can find somewhere on the internet where the word virus has a size next to it.

Three, without stating your purpose, I have no idea what's useful to you or not. So I state everything in the hopes that it will be useful, or you will narrow the search parameters after you read what your audience thinks your question was asking. Here, let me help.

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I am looking for the smallest object/creature. Either will do, but both would be nice.
1. The object has to be in a d20 book, official WotC, published. No Magazines, 3rd party, or Web Enhancements, please. 3.0 or 3.5 edition only.
2. The size of the object must be included with the object/creature. Either a size class, or an actual physical measurement.
3. I am trying to figure out things I might use for a transmutation spell combo I am considering. This would be the original object, not the object I turn it into. I need to start small, then make it bigger.

See? No room for misunderstanding. I assume that people might not be able to hear my thoughts no matter how hard I try to broadcast them, so I try and anticipate their questions about MY question and give as much useful information as possible.

After all, I'm asking people to spend time looking up stuff for me. Who would want to cause someone else to waste time looking things up just because I think I'm the center of the universe and everyone else exists for my personal amusement?

Rule Number One of Communication:
"It doesn't matter what you say, what matters is what your audience thinks you said."

For example: It's people like you that make me want to go back and reread Simon's version of the Necronomicon in hopes that somehow I'll figure out how to start the Zombie Apocalypse.

Please, Tell me what you THINK I said.

[RedWarlock]

Actually, just on the topic of atoms vs. elements, if D&D's matter is made up of the prime 4 elements, I think it's more likely that any incoming matter, even if from another (atomic) reality, would be converted into elemental matter upon entry into that reality, as a function of the portal or teleport effect. (Otherwise they would immediately asphyxiate from lack of convertable oxygen.)

On-Topic: I'd have to check, but elementite swarms seem like the smallest specific described creature that I can recall.

[Halinn]

You'd have to get out a ruler for the exact measurements, but a gold coin probably ranks fairly well down there. It is the exact size of the illustration on page 168 of the PHB.

Assuming the same density as real world gold (and them being completely pure), 1/50 lbs of gold is 0.47 cm³, or 0.0287 cubic inches.

[sirpercival]

The hagunemnon can assume a form "no smaller than a flea", so fleas apparently exist.  They aren't given a size, though... so I'm not sure what to do with that.

[Halinn]

The hagunemnon can assume a form "no smaller than a flea", so fleas apparently exist.  They aren't given a size, though... so I'm not sure what to do with that.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21530-giant-fleas-plagued-feathered-dinosaurs.html
Largest flea ever discovered measured 20.6 mm, largest living flea measures up to 12 mm. I assume that they use the size of a flea descriptively for players to know relative sizes, so we can use real world sizes. Human fleas measure around 3-4 mm length, which is probably what they intended for size comparisons, but the largest fleas known at least set a level that it can't be argued that it can't at least go down to *that* size.

[ariasderros]

So far we have: the Cerebral Parasite, if we assume it is imperceptible due to size < Flea < Mosquito.
These are the creatures we have so far.
Most of this has only inference of size. Actually, all of it does. darn you WotC 

You'd have to get out a ruler for the exact measurements, but a gold coin probably ranks fairly well down there. It is the exact size of the illustration on page 168 of the PHB.
Assuming the same density as real world gold...

Actually, the exact size of the coins is measured out in the Draconomicon, under the "How Big is the Pile" sidebar (p278). It is 1/10 of an inch thick, and it has a density vastly different from that of real gold.

Coins are very small on edge.
Paper / Parchment / Scrolls are smaller still.
But idk what the exact measurement is.

Good point, if we to infer that the smallest measurement possible for a dimension is equal to the thinnest object, then paper would fit.
The PHB mentions that D&D paper is cloth paper (the parchment is hide, thus thicker), thus it would have somewhere near the same thickness as a dollar bill, though likely a bit thicker due to ancient methods. Though that brings us to the thickness of thread, including the Drow favorite of spidersilk.

So we are now down to a "dot" of silk (as long as it is thick).
This is, unfortunately, still vague inference and hyperbole.

[ariasderros]

@ Captnq, and no one else.
This would be a PM, but I have my reasons for wanting it in a thread instead of PM.

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Firstly, your points on the topic.

Did you state what edition?

While I did not, this was intentional. There are some bits of 2nd edition that is compatible. However, inside of the spoiler that I referred you to, in my second post in this thread, which was several posts before your first one here, I: reference a page in the 3.5 DMG, thus clearly implicating what edition I am using as my primary benchmark; explicitly state what sort of physical environment I am assuming for the purpose of this thread, including agreeing with a statement of there being no atoms in D&D.
You have now ignored this twice.

I am certain I can find somewhere on the internet where the word virus has a size next to it.

Irrelevant. Because, as has been established, we don't have any direct knowledge of how diseases work in D&D. The word virus only means "agent that causes infectious disease". That could be an RNA strand, or it could just be a corruption of your elemental composition, possibly through magical means (Mummy Rot), or possibly through the introduction of incompatible elemental variants (Filth Fever).
Second, your points critiquing my presentation of information.

Now, the word "mentioned", [...] The moment you entered this word into your question, you open any other documents that are even vaguely related.

Yes, that is because such an opening is necessary when analyzing the writings of WotC. For example, as other posters have quite constructively pointed out that D&D references the size of mosquitoes and fleas, but is not explicit about how big that actually is. Thus further review is needed.
However, this does not mean that you can just go willy-nilly through whatever sources you want. Hagunemnon mentions "the size of a flea", thus a poster went to find out what that was, because it was "mentioned".
A converse example of this would be your references to "virus". The word "virus" is latin for "poison", and is used to mean "agent that causes infectious disease". Just because in our world that specifically refers to a pathogenic life-form, does not mean that you can take the definition to that extent just because it was "mentioned".
Explicit correlation is being "mentioned". Making the correlation that King Henry the 8th should be included in the D&D universe just because the word "King" is used in the books is not "mentioned".

So I state everything in the hopes that it will be useful, or you will narrow the search parameters after you read what your audience thinks your question was asking.

Which is what I always do. Which is what I did. I wrote the OP. People responded. I narrowed the criterion. In that narrowing, I Explicitly state what form of physics I am utilizing. Elemental, not atomic. 4 posts after that, you ask which one I am using as your first point in the thread. I had already pointed out that your suggestion would not be helpful, before you proffered it, yet you ignored this.

I assume that people might not be able to hear my thoughts no matter how hard I try to broadcast them, so I try and anticipate their questions about MY question and give as much useful information as possible

My learned writing style for these boards has been to keep the OP as general as possible in order to get the most constructive results. I realize that that is counter-intuitive, but when I am specific to an absolute, people tend to focus too much on one minor point, and ignore the overall goal.
Nonetheless, your initial posts question was answered before it was asked. Thus your point is invalidated by your own actions, because the implication is that you would have made your suggestion regardless of where the answer to it was placed.

Rule Number One of Communication:
"It doesn't matter what you say, what matters is what your audience thinks you said."

That is true. It is also something I struggle with constantly. I joined speech/debate mostly so I could be forced to get better at it. My life has, at many points, sucked very badly because of my psychological conditions affecting that process. Having you rub it in would be salt in that wound, but it isn't.
Know why?
Because, in this thread, you are the only one who doesn't understand me. You are the only one who persists in dredging up things I shot down before you even came into the thread. You are the only one who has commented on my end of the communication process.
"You are never going to be understood by everybody, because everyone's internal barriers to communication have different triggers"
You are the one who has the barrier here. Everyone else in this thread understands me just fine.
Third, your conduct.

No need to use jerk level emphasis. I know what you are just fine.

I was attempting to be smarmy as I referenced the extreme over-emphasis. I know what I am, but I highly doubt you know anything about me. I've said some things about myself on this forum, but since you don't read most posts apparently, do not presume to say anything about me.

or an I supposed to just MAGICALLY read your mind?

I'm clinical. I grew up getting progressively worse. If you read my mind you'd kill yourself in the psychotic break, because you aren't used to it. So STFU.
That said, try reading what was written, then posting constructively. Like everyone else.

Who would want to cause someone else to waste time looking things up just because I think I'm the center of the universe and everyone else exists for my personal amusement?

Didn't happen. I asked if anyone knew, not if they could go and find out and get back to me. I offered the Parasites from memory. "Zombie Mosquitoes" were offered from memory, and I looked up the Bloodmote, knowing to what was being referred. I asked for a memory poll. No more, no less, no else. If others offer more (fleas!), then great; If naught is offered than a point in the right direction, then still great.

For example: It's people like you that make me want to go back and reread Simon's version of the Necronomicon in hopes that somehow I'll figure out how to start the Zombie Apocalypse.

Please, Tell me what you THINK I said.

That you are prone to contradicting yourself.
How so? I'd be glad to tell you.

You seem to think that because I disagree with you, or that my writing style isn't in the exact form you'd like, that that warrants an apocalypse. You seem to think that because I'd used the word jerk as an adjective, that you are justified in implying that word is applicable to my character.

Which contradicts what you said, when you said:

I'z agree-ish

Unless you count that qualifier of "ish".
Oh, and what you were agreeing to:

-- Don't be a douche.  Don't piss people off just to piss them off, don't be an immature ass
-- Don't do anything with the intent of being destructive.  Add to the community.

You have attempted to discredit me, by claiming I haven't said what I have, and that that makes it my fault for your lack of understanding me. You have implied that I'm a jerk. You have implied that "people like me" make you want to cause death en masse.
You are entitled to your opinion, but slander (not the legal term, which only applies to oral defamation of character) does tend to be taken as being "douchy", and is most definitely "with the intent of being destructive"

What I posted:"agree again, glad BG is up and running again." To, and you posted the above, included:

1. Moderate yourself. Be professional. Be mature. Would you say this at the gaming table? Are you being a decent human being?
3. Posters moderate Posters. See all of the advice above- you guys know what you want, tell Poster X to knock it off and tell him why his behavior is douchy. Send some PMs. Do it in context, point of "service".
1)Tell the person they are being a douche and why.
2)Tell them they are wrong and why.

This is me trying to tell you to calm down. Be constructive. Don't be a douche.
I have spelled out how you are wrong about what I have said on-topic. I have spelled out how you are not behaving in a way that I feel in conductive to these boards.

Cease & Desist your behavior as it stands.

[sirpercival]

The Salient Divine Ability "Alter Size' references a grain of sand...

[ariasderros]

The Salient Divine Ability "Alter Size' references a grain of sand...

Hmm...
A sack of flour is a trade good. Flour is finer than sand. Wheat Flour is the finest of the ones listed in A&E Guide. If sand still come in grains in D&D, each one a (very) tiny bit of Earth, then I wonder if plant grained flour still does.

One would think so, but still just inferred.

Good find SirP.

[Halinn]

Most of this has only inference of size. Actually, all of it does. darn you WotC 

To be fair, it seems unreasonable to expect them to include exact measurements for things people should know the scale of quite well.

For example, they list that wheat, peas, flour and such exist in the PHB equipment chapter, expecting people to know both what it is, and the rough size of it (should that become necessary).
Random thought because I looked at that chapter again - every single type of coin is both the exact same size and exact same weight. I find this funny.

As an aside, I checked out some science, and discovered that the median size for flour particle is just around 100 micrometers^source. For reference, that is about the same size as the width of a human hair^wikipedia, and close to the diameter of very fine sand (sand ranges from 63 µm to 2 mm, per ISO standards). Quick Google search indicates that 30 micrometers is about the limit of what the human eye can see, if you're close enough (but that was an unsourced claim).

[ariasderros]

Most of this has only inference of size. Actually, all of it does. darn you WotC 

To be fair, it seems unreasonable to expect them to include exact measurements for things people should know the scale of quite well.

For example, they list that wheat, peas, flour and such exist in the PHB equipment chapter, expecting people to know both what it is, and the rough size of it (should that become necessary).
Random thought because I looked at that chapter again - every single type of coin is both the exact same size and exact same weight. I find this funny.

As an aside, I checked out some science, and discovered that the median size for flour particle is just around 100 micrometers^source. For reference, that is about the same size as the width of a human hair^wikipedia, and close to the diameter of very fine sand (sand ranges from 63 µm to 2 mm, per ISO standards). Quick Google search indicates that 30 micrometers is about the limit of what the human eye can see, if you're close enough (but that was an unsourced claim).

Your search-fu is mighty.

[zook1shoe]

there are several fungal creatures (i'm currently looking at the ascomoid in Dungeonscape) that release spores and online the spores average about 5µm depending on species, with large ones about 100µm

http://www.bio.net/bionet/mm/mycology/2000-July/007898.html

[Eldritch_Lord]

You know, you don't need to choose between atoms and the four elements; you can have both.

[awaken_D_M_golem]

Mimir is good stuff ... a little 3rd party -ish though.


Drunken Master could wield any of these smallest things
as an improvised weapon, and then stick a Duodimension
"effect" on the weapon via Limited Wish or Bend Reality
... "grain of sand" with only 2 dimensions.

[Halinn]

Oh, important thing to remember here - the smallest thing we can get will probably not be a creature, because Shrink Item does a lot to reduce the size of something.

[ariasderros]

You know, you don't need to choose between atoms and the four elements; you can have both.

That is just using the word "atom" to mean a really small amount of the element. It is still different than neutron/positron/electron atoms.

I like that chemistry though. And that site is quite interesting.

[Agnostic Paladin]

That's all the word "atom" originally meant; the greeks just used it as a hypothetical term for the smallest imaginable indivisible thing.

[awaken_D_M_golem]

Dimensional Pocket power ... also in CPsi.

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Dimensional Pocket
Psychoportation
Level: Psychic rogue 1
Display: Mental
Manifesting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: One unattended object, weighing up to 1 lb./level
Duration: 1 hour/4 level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Power Resistance: No
Power Points: 1

Your touch transfers an unattended object to an extradimensional pocket hidden in the palm of your hand. The dimensional pocket is invisible and weightless, regardless of its contents. When the power ends or is dismissed, the object returns to your hand, or next to your hand if you cannot hold it.

Augment: You can augment this power in one or both of the following ways.

1. For every 2 additional power points you spend, you can store an additional pound per level (but still only one object).

2. If you spend 4 additional power points, the duration increases to one day, regardless of your manifester level.

Shrink Item on the "grain of sand", Permanency, and Dimensional Pocket.
(VERY) Custom Magic Item.
Extradimensional most of the time, 1/16 * 1/16 * 0 when in the pocket and when called out.