Difference between revisions of "Light Sources"

Revision as of 04:04, 6 December 2016

Light sources consist of anything that provides light sources barring the sun, moon, stars and other ambient lighting effects.

Light Sources

A Light Source increases the effective Light level.

Example

This is the source of the light - a candle, a torch, a fire and so forth.

Type

This is usually what fuels the Light - wood, coal, oil or magic. Torches, campfires and bonfires usually burn wood and lamps and lanterns usually burn oil. Candles, using wax, are technically oil fires. If it is a single item fire (such a match or a candle) it will state as much.

Size

This is how big the Light Source is. This is relative to a medium character, ultimately -larger or smaller characters may presumably carry a torch or candle of a different size and a giant would have a campfire far larger than the campfire of a goblin.

Light

This is how much light is provided within it's radius. Typically this is +100% though some light sources only glow softly. If an M is listed, this means this light also penetrates magical darkness.

Only the most powerful Light Source is used - if 5 people carry torches, this does not mean that Light at x5 distance is now +100%.

Radius

This is how far the light shines at it's base level of light. Every additional radius distant from the Light Source decreases the light provided by 20%. For example, a Torch provides 100% Light to 15 feet. For the next 15 feet, up to 30 feet, Light is 80%. After Radius x 5, no additional Light is provided.

This radius is taken from the character with the Light Source. Thus, anything that can perceive that light, can gain the benefits of it within that radius. For example, a character within 15 feet of a character holding a torch acts as though Light were 100% and suffers no penalties on their attacks. Meanwhile, an archer intending to attack that character is able to perceive them in the distance and attack without penalties from low Light.

For every Size Category a Light Source increases above Medium, increase it's radius by 30 feet. For every Size Category it decreases below Medium, half its radius. For example, a Torch (small wood fire) has a radius of 15 whilst a campfire (medium wood fire) has a radius of 30 and a bonfire (large wood fire) has a radius of 60. If a Light Source specifically states it works differently, use the rules it provides.

Duration

This is how long this light source lasts, typically.

For every Size Category a Light Source increases above Medium, double the amount of fuel needed per hour. Similarly, for every Size Category a Light Source decreases below Medium, increase the time it burns for by 1 hour. This does not, however, effect larger single item fires, such as matches, candles, or paper - these consume larger objects to produce a bigger flame.

If a Light Source specifically states it works differently, use the rules it provides - for example, as above, a smaller campfire needs less fuel but burning paper is quickly incinerated.

As defined in Fire, a Unit of Fuel is 6 pounds of Hard Wood, 1 pound of Coal or 1 pint of Oil.

Examples

Directional Lighting

If a Light Source is channeled correctly, it provides light in a cone instead of in a full radius.

Match = Diminuitive Candle = Tiny Torch = Small Lantern = Small Campfire = Medium Bonfire = Large

A character can improve their visibility by carrying a light source. The amount of visibility provided by a light source depends on its power. It has an effect for a given radius and then declines by one step. Thus, a candle improves visibility by two levels up to five feet, by one level from five to ten feet and not at all beyond this.

Light Source Improvement Radius Duration Match 1 level 1 foot 1 minute Faerie Fire 1 level 5 feet Variable Magical Weapon 2 levels 5 feet At will Candle 2 levels 5 feet 10 minutes per inch Burning Enemy 3 levels 10 feet Variable Torch 4 levels 15 feet 30 minutes Lantern 4 levels 30 feet 2 hours per pint of oil Dancing Light (Small) 4 levels 30 feet 2 rounds per level Dancing Light (Medium) 4 levels 40 feet 2 rounds per level Campfire 4 levels 40 feet 1 hour per armload of fuel Bonfire 4 levels 60 feet ½ hour per armload of fuel Burning Building 4 levels 100 feet Variable Light Spell 4 levels 20 feet Variable Continual Light Spell 4 levels 60 feet Indefinite

Magical Darkness cannot be penetrated by natural light – only Magical Light can deal with it. Small light sources, such as from Faerie Fire or Magical Weapons, increase the effective visibility whilst full lights such as Light or Continual Light entirely counter the effects.