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John Fern
Acolyte
15 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Jan 2012 : 06:10:38
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Hey guys and gals, I'm running a session with a bunch of stealth favoring characters and so I'm looking for new ideas on efficiently keeping track of the Light Radius that are in play.
Right now, for static light sources such as a torch on a wall, I have been drawing in the light radius by hand. I have noticed this to be much more difficult when dealing with asymmetrical rooms such as natural caverns and caves, with objects like stalactites and rock formations interfering.
Is it just something I will have to deal with or are there any alternatives out there? When you are DMing, how do you keep track of light?
If any of the veterans out there have some feedback I'd really appreciate it!
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2012 : 03:00:51
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If you're indicating light radii on maps then a compass should do well enough unless you've got many reflective surfaces. If the party carries multiple light sources then it's usually adequate to just use the strongest/largest radius, although you could indicate each overlapping radius independently or say each additional torch increases the total radius or whatever (consider that a campfire lights farther than a torch, a bonfire farther than a campfire, etc). Some light sources are directional; a bullseye lantern illuminates somewhat like a modern flashlight. A paladin shield enchanted with light might seem to blaze through the darkness (and blind light-sensitive creatures who face him) in a semi-directional fashion.
Small light sources can technically be seen over great distances (many miles) through atmosphere, but the D&D "light radius" is just a game mechanic which provides a quick and rough way to determine how far people can see basic detail. If you have a light radius of 10 feet it doesn't immediately terminate in a way which makes anything 10.0001 feet distant entirely unseen, it's just that objects close to 10 feet away are difficult to identify. Perhaps go outside at night, near a street lamp in a darkened area, and pay careful attention to how far and how well you can see things in the illuminated area, while standing under the lamp or standing in the darkness outside it. Imagine you're an archer trying to hit targets, if that helps.
I usually assume that anything and anybody within the light radius is illuminated, and can also be seen by anybody outside the radius. Infravision is especially sensitive to flaming torches, but not so much to a light spell. Moving light sources attract attention; I even rule that invisibility doesn't work well when carrying a light source, viewers are entitled to a Save vs the illusion when they notice light sources perambulating around without any normal explanation.
[Edit]
You might find this web enhancement of some use. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 20 Jan 2012 04:09:59 |
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John Fern
Acolyte
15 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2012 : 20:00:15
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| Thanks for the response, Ayrik. |
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Keeping Track of Light Sources
