"Sunglasses" for a Drow [Archive] - Wizards Community

"Sunglasses" for a Drow [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kizil
02-05-04, 03:38 PM Just want an opinion on this. I have a player who is a Drow cleric of Eilistraee. He is trying to think of a way to avoid the light sensitivity. He has suggested making a set of stained glass lenses to block the light to avoid the dazed effect of daylight. I was thinking that it would not be too bad of an idea with the following penalties.
1) -2 to spot and search due to the darkened lenses. I figured this would hinder the ability to see into shadows as well.

2) During combat, each time she was hit, it would incur a chance for the lenses to be knocked off, and thus suffer the effect of the light sensitivity.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks
Kizil
raistlin_devreault
02-05-04, 03:43 PM there is a magic item for that.. i think it's called "Fog lenses" or something.. not quite sure... Go in the Magic and spells forum in the Phb section, you'll get more reply!
Xante Flatnose
02-05-04, 03:49 PM It is a very good idea.
But I think It will be better if you add a penalty if the glasses can be broken.For example when hit with piercing type weapon it can broken in a chance of %10 or %15.
Midnight Lich
02-05-04, 04:27 PM There is a feat in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting called Daylight Adaptation, I believe. It removes all penalties for being vulnerable to daylight. It's ideal for a surface drow.

Hope this helps,
Kizil
02-05-04, 04:37 PM The player and I are both awair of this feat, but he is trying to find a way to prevent having to use a feat for this. I don't have a problem with him being inventive, but I am trying to find some downsides for this so that it is not like having the feat. He will take the feat at some time in the future when he is able to take it.

Thanks again for the ideas.

Kizil
Teh Lurv
02-05-04, 09:18 PM I believe there is a pair of googles in Savage Species that negates daylight penalty effect.
Korgon
02-05-04, 09:24 PM Would having goggles(or glasses) of darkness work? With a contained darkness spell around your eyes?
E-Vile
02-05-04, 09:53 PM The Magic of Faerun spell Mantle of Darkness ignores all negative penalties of daylight (even for undead) and gives quite a high AC bonus.
DaemeonBlack
02-06-04, 05:46 PM Look into the rules for an item granting a feat, problem solved.
Anduin_Lothar.
02-06-04, 09:25 PM Ah but my friends, there is another item which solves the problem, kinda...maybe...give it a try?

The Following was taken from the Arms and Equiptment Guide

Blindfold of True Darkness:
This black,silky blindfold grants the blindsigh ability with a range of 60 feet. Because the wearer's eyes are protected, he is also immune to gaze attacks, spells, or effects that rely on sight. Wearing the blindfold takes up the same space as goggles. The wearer cannot use vision in any way while wearing the blindfold.
Caster Level:3rd; Prerequisites: Craft Wonderous item, see invisibility; Market Price: 9,000 gp; Weight-

Well maybe it wasn't what you were thinking but it is something.
Ssussunriyh
02-07-04, 11:31 AM Eyeglasses tend to reduce the wearer's peripheral vision. His sunglasses ought to have side-shields, like those worn by mountain climbers to prevent snow blindness. There should be a penalty to Spot checks, plus a larger penalty when trying to peer into shadowed areas.

In combat, not only is there the possibility that they'd get knocked off or broken, but also the problem of blood or something splattering across the lenses and obstructing his vision. Dirty glasses are harder to see through, so a penalty to attack rolls (-1 or -2) and perhaps a penalty to AC and Reflex Saves since he can't see well enough to dodge incoming blows (-1 Dex?)
gooru
02-07-04, 11:44 AM or am I forgetting what a drow's benefits are?

Why are people saying that the drow gets a penalty for looking into shadow with these gogles on? If they don't have low light vision, they have dark vision(and I think its dark vision!) So, if its dark vision, and the item is 'crafty' enough, I'd be tempted to give them their darkvision benefits in the presense of low light(like a torch, which normally voids out dark vision).

I like the idea of gogles... course, I'd have a spell-caster NPC use shatter on him in the first round or so of the encounter, especially if the drow ticks him off:-P Which is the benefit of taking the feat: its MUCH harder to get around the feat than an item, which easily can be removed... could you "sunder" this item:-P
Eilistraeeeee
02-28-04, 06:52 AM Just a suggestion for a Drow wearing the the 'non-crafty' sunglasses which don't work well with darkvision. when someone with the sunglasses wants to look in shadowy corners, why just dont put off the glasses? when in shadows you'll not be exposed to direct sunlight and in dungeons (which mostly occur under the surface) do not often have direct or bright light. and if there is all the party will most likely be affected and not just your nice lightblind drow.
primemover003
02-28-04, 07:52 AM I'd allow mundane sunglasses witha -2 circumstance penalty to Spot and Search checks. I'd also say that their Darkvision doesn't work while wearing the goggles. If they want no penalties and unhampered darkvision they need a wonderous item.
cchopps
05-15-04, 03:53 PM How much would mundane sunglasses cost in D&D? Or spectacles for that matter?
Ssussunriyh
05-15-04, 06:24 PM Magnifying glass = 100 gp.

Smaller lenses would be a bit more difficult to make, plus you need 2 of them... I'd give a pair of eyeglasses a ballpark price tag of 150 gp.

Dark-tinted spectacles that don't need to correct near-sighted or far-sighted vision problems... say, 75 gp.
Shadowmagyk
05-15-04, 08:52 PM I wouldnt allow the sunglasses at all. He chose to be Drow. He should have to take the disadvantages along with the advantages. He should have to pay a high price to rid himself of this penalty (i.e.- lots of gold or a feat).
Bluebrush
05-15-04, 09:10 PM I'd say eyeglasses should cost more than two magnifying glasses.

A magnifying glass can be standardised, corrective lenses need to be made with the specific vision problem in mind.

As for plain sunglasses... They probably wouldn't be too expensive, but I can't see much demand for them (Peasent population = Few holidays in the sun) so the Drow would probably need to get some made by a lensmaker whose first reaction to a squinting drow stumbling into his store wouldn't be "Aiieeeeee!"

As for damage during fights, I'd say that's nonsense in the context of D&D, given PCs can wear magic specs without risk of them being damaged accidentally.

Hmm... How about this.
The primitive alchemical glass sunglasses block darkvision while worn, and all opponents he faces while wearing them are effectively one concealment level better off than they are usually. (IE: Someone in broad daylight has 1/4 concealment.
Also, the spot heavy should be applied.

At higher levels, allow him to get a pair of magic sunglasses that function as the Daylight Adaption feat.
Then shower the party with magic specs which he can't use.

Oh, and consider imposing a penalty to diplomacy checks, since the character wearing sunglasses, which hide his eyes, is kinda worrying.
trapspringer
05-15-04, 09:17 PM There is an item in savage species with similar effects and penaltys to those you propose, it is balanced.
Nightchill
05-16-04, 05:19 AM In Drow of the Underdark (old 2e softcover book), didn't Drow naturally adapt the longer they were on the surface? At the same time, they started losing their powers the longer they were away from the Underdark.
rogue_lettuce
05-16-04, 11:38 AM Originally posted by Ssussunriyh

In combat, not only is there the possibility that they'd get knocked off or broken, but also the problem of blood or something splattering across the lenses and obstructing his vision. Dirty glasses are harder to see through, so a penalty to attack rolls (-1 or -2) and perhaps a penalty to AC and Reflex Saves since he can't see well enough to dodge incoming blows (-1 Dex?)

Doesn't that defeat the point? IIRC, those penalties are harsher than the ones for being sunlight sensitive!:D
Shadowmagyk
05-16-04, 04:45 PM In Drow of the Underdark (old 2e softcover book), didn't Drow naturally adapt the longer they were on the surface? At the same time, they started losing their powers the longer they were away from the Underdark.

I am reading "The Crystal Shard", by R.A. Salvatore. In this book, Drizzt says that he has been on the surface for thirty years, and he still is affected by the sun. It burns his eyes and his skin.

As for losing powers, it is only the magic items (weapons, clothing, etc.) that deteriorate in the sun.
astute1
05-16-04, 09:03 PM I'd say that the magic glasses would cost about 1,000 gp
they'd take up the goggles/glasses slot, and the character wouldn't be able to use darkvision or low light vision while wearing them. Simple enough.
Nightchill
05-17-04, 05:09 AM Originally posted by Shadowmagyk
I am reading "The Crystal Shard", by R.A. Salvatore. In this book, Drizzt says that he has been on the surface for thirty years, and he still is affected by the sun. It burns his eyes and his skin.

As for losing powers, it is only the magic items (weapons, clothing, etc.) that deteriorate in the sun.

Yes, but he also "watches the sunrise" and it's "less painful".
Loopy
05-17-04, 07:07 AM Originally posted by Anduin_Lothar.
Ah but my friends, there is another item which solves the problem, kinda...maybe...give it a try?

The Following was taken from the Arms and Equiptment Guide

Blindfold of True Darkness:
This black,silky blindfold grants the blindsigh ability with a range of 60 feet. Because the wearer's eyes are protected, he is also immune to gaze attacks, spells, or effects that rely on sight. Wearing the blindfold takes up the same space as goggles. The wearer cannot use vision in any way while wearing the blindfold.
Caster Level:3rd; Prerequisites: Craft Wonderous item, see invisibility; Market Price: 9,000 gp; Weight-

Well maybe it wasn't what you were thinking but it is something.

That magic item.

Is broken.

We all know this. :)

Make it 20,000 gp and we'll talk.
Shadowmagyk
05-17-04, 09:00 PM Yes, but he also "watches the sunrise" and it's "less painful".

I was simply saying that it never goes away.
Sphyre
05-18-04, 03:26 AM Given that there's a feat that removes the problem it's very possible he could use an item that gives him access to the feat. A dark blue rhomboid ioun stone gives the alertness feat for 10,000, but is unslotted, so a slotted item would be 5,000. Eyeware IS a slot, thus it would be as such.

Perhaps something like this:

Goggles of Light Filtration
These seem nothing more than regular goggles when worn by people with normal vision, although when worn by someone with the racial trait light sensativitiy it shows it's wearer can see things clearer than normal. A character with light sensativity wearing these may be treated as without having such a trait while these goggles are worn.

Faint Illusion; Craft wonderous item, Able to cast at least spell with a glammer effect, Market Price 5,000 gp.

Of course you could go with the rest of the thread and use some non magical version of the item, but as you and others have said there would be associated penalties for that and you need to have your entire eyes surrounded, as to not let any stray light in. Upto you, but I prefer to use encourage use of magical items.
Loopy
05-18-04, 08:39 AM One might argue that the 4000-GP goggles of day in the Arms and Equipment Guide (p133) might perform the task at hand.
astute1
05-18-04, 08:44 AM Originally posted by Loopy
One might argue that the 4000-GP goggles of day in the Arms and Equipment Guide (p133) might perform the task at hand.

Yeah, I'd rule that works. Now, A&EG isn't 3.5, so you have to figure out if the price is still the same. Sounds about right, though.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kizil 02-05-04, 03:38 PM	Just want an opinion on this. I have a player who is a Drow cleric of Eilistraee. He is trying to think of a way to avoid the light sensitivity. He has suggested making a set of stained glass lenses to block the light to avoid the dazed effect of daylight. I was thinking that it would not be too bad of an idea with the following penalties. 1) -2 to spot and search due to the darkened lenses. I figured this would hinder the ability to see into shadows as well. 2) During combat, each time she was hit, it would incur a chance for the lenses to be knocked off, and thus suffer the effect of the light sensitivity. Let me know what you think. Thanks Kizil
raistlin_devreault 02-05-04, 03:43 PM	there is a magic item for that.. i think it's called "Fog lenses" or something.. not quite sure... Go in the Magic and spells forum in the Phb section, you'll get more reply!
Xante Flatnose 02-05-04, 03:49 PM	It is a very good idea. But I think It will be better if you add a penalty if the glasses can be broken.For example when hit with piercing type weapon it can broken in a chance of %10 or %15.
Midnight Lich 02-05-04, 04:27 PM	There is a feat in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting called Daylight Adaptation, I believe. It removes all penalties for being vulnerable to daylight. It's ideal for a surface drow. Hope this helps,
Kizil 02-05-04, 04:37 PM	The player and I are both awair of this feat, but he is trying to find a way to prevent having to use a feat for this. I don't have a problem with him being inventive, but I am trying to find some downsides for this so that it is not like having the feat. He will take the feat at some time in the future when he is able to take it. Thanks again for the ideas. Kizil
Teh Lurv 02-05-04, 09:18 PM	I believe there is a pair of googles in Savage Species that negates daylight penalty effect.
Korgon 02-05-04, 09:24 PM	Would having goggles(or glasses) of darkness work? With a contained darkness spell around your eyes?
E-Vile 02-05-04, 09:53 PM	The Magic of Faerun spell Mantle of Darkness ignores all negative penalties of daylight (even for undead) and gives quite a high AC bonus.
DaemeonBlack 02-06-04, 05:46 PM	Look into the rules for an item granting a feat, problem solved.
Anduin_Lothar. 02-06-04, 09:25 PM	Ah but my friends, there is another item which solves the problem, kinda...maybe...give it a try? The Following was taken from the Arms and Equiptment Guide Blindfold of True Darkness: This black,silky blindfold grants the blindsigh ability with a range of 60 feet. Because the wearer's eyes are protected, he is also immune to gaze attacks, spells, or effects that rely on sight. Wearing the blindfold takes up the same space as goggles. The wearer cannot use vision in any way while wearing the blindfold. Caster Level:3rd; Prerequisites: Craft Wonderous item, see invisibility; Market Price: 9,000 gp; Weight- Well maybe it wasn't what you were thinking but it is something.
Ssussunriyh 02-07-04, 11:31 AM	Eyeglasses tend to reduce the wearer's peripheral vision. His sunglasses ought to have side-shields, like those worn by mountain climbers to prevent snow blindness. There should be a penalty to Spot checks, plus a larger penalty when trying to peer into shadowed areas. In combat, not only is there the possibility that they'd get knocked off or broken, but also the problem of blood or something splattering across the lenses and obstructing his vision. Dirty glasses are harder to see through, so a penalty to attack rolls (-1 or -2) and perhaps a penalty to AC and Reflex Saves since he can't see well enough to dodge incoming blows (-1 Dex?)
gooru 02-07-04, 11:44 AM	or am I forgetting what a drow's benefits are? Why are people saying that the drow gets a penalty for looking into shadow with these gogles on? If they don't have low light vision, they have dark vision(and I think its dark vision!) So, if its dark vision, and the item is 'crafty' enough, I'd be tempted to give them their darkvision benefits in the presense of low light(like a torch, which normally voids out dark vision). I like the idea of gogles... course, I'd have a spell-caster NPC use shatter on him in the first round or so of the encounter, especially if the drow ticks him off:-P Which is the benefit of taking the feat: its MUCH harder to get around the feat than an item, which easily can be removed... could you "sunder" this item:-P
Eilistraeeeee 02-28-04, 06:52 AM	Just a suggestion for a Drow wearing the the 'non-crafty' sunglasses which don't work well with darkvision. when someone with the sunglasses wants to look in shadowy corners, why just dont put off the glasses? when in shadows you'll not be exposed to direct sunlight and in dungeons (which mostly occur under the surface) do not often have direct or bright light. and if there is all the party will most likely be affected and not just your nice lightblind drow.
primemover003 02-28-04, 07:52 AM	I'd allow mundane sunglasses witha -2 circumstance penalty to Spot and Search checks. I'd also say that their Darkvision doesn't work while wearing the goggles. If they want no penalties and unhampered darkvision they need a wonderous item.
cchopps 05-15-04, 03:53 PM	How much would mundane sunglasses cost in D&D? Or spectacles for that matter?
Ssussunriyh 05-15-04, 06:24 PM	Magnifying glass = 100 gp. Smaller lenses would be a bit more difficult to make, plus you need 2 of them... I'd give a pair of eyeglasses a ballpark price tag of 150 gp. Dark-tinted spectacles that don't need to correct near-sighted or far-sighted vision problems... say, 75 gp.
Shadowmagyk 05-15-04, 08:52 PM	I wouldnt allow the sunglasses at all. He chose to be Drow. He should have to take the disadvantages along with the advantages. He should have to pay a high price to rid himself of this penalty (i.e.- lots of gold or a feat).
Bluebrush 05-15-04, 09:10 PM	I'd say eyeglasses should cost more than two magnifying glasses. A magnifying glass can be standardised, corrective lenses need to be made with the specific vision problem in mind. As for plain sunglasses... They probably wouldn't be too expensive, but I can't see much demand for them (Peasent population = Few holidays in the sun) so the Drow would probably need to get some made by a lensmaker whose first reaction to a squinting drow stumbling into his store wouldn't be "Aiieeeeee!" As for damage during fights, I'd say that's nonsense in the context of D&D, given PCs can wear magic specs without risk of them being damaged accidentally. Hmm... How about this. The primitive alchemical glass sunglasses block darkvision while worn, and all opponents he faces while wearing them are effectively one concealment level better off than they are usually. (IE: Someone in broad daylight has 1/4 concealment. Also, the spot heavy should be applied. At higher levels, allow him to get a pair of magic sunglasses that function as the Daylight Adaption feat. Then shower the party with magic specs which he can't use. Oh, and consider imposing a penalty to diplomacy checks, since the character wearing sunglasses, which hide his eyes, is kinda worrying.
trapspringer 05-15-04, 09:17 PM	There is an item in savage species with similar effects and penaltys to those you propose, it is balanced.
Nightchill 05-16-04, 05:19 AM	In Drow of the Underdark (old 2e softcover book), didn't Drow naturally adapt the longer they were on the surface? At the same time, they started losing their powers the longer they were away from the Underdark.
rogue_lettuce 05-16-04, 11:38 AM	Originally posted by Ssussunriyh In combat, not only is there the possibility that they'd get knocked off or broken, but also the problem of blood or something splattering across the lenses and obstructing his vision. Dirty glasses are harder to see through, so a penalty to attack rolls (-1 or -2) and perhaps a penalty to AC and Reflex Saves since he can't see well enough to dodge incoming blows (-1 Dex?) Doesn't that defeat the point? IIRC, those penalties are harsher than the ones for being sunlight sensitive!:D
Shadowmagyk 05-16-04, 04:45 PM	In Drow of the Underdark (old 2e softcover book), didn't Drow naturally adapt the longer they were on the surface? At the same time, they started losing their powers the longer they were away from the Underdark. I am reading "The Crystal Shard", by R.A. Salvatore. In this book, Drizzt says that he has been on the surface for thirty years, and he still is affected by the sun. It burns his eyes and his skin. As for losing powers, it is only the magic items (weapons, clothing, etc.) that deteriorate in the sun.
astute1 05-16-04, 09:03 PM	I'd say that the magic glasses would cost about 1,000 gp they'd take up the goggles/glasses slot, and the character wouldn't be able to use darkvision or low light vision while wearing them. Simple enough.
Nightchill 05-17-04, 05:09 AM	Originally posted by Shadowmagyk I am reading "The Crystal Shard", by R.A. Salvatore. In this book, Drizzt says that he has been on the surface for thirty years, and he still is affected by the sun. It burns his eyes and his skin. As for losing powers, it is only the magic items (weapons, clothing, etc.) that deteriorate in the sun. Yes, but he also "watches the sunrise" and it's "less painful".
Loopy 05-17-04, 07:07 AM	Originally posted by Anduin_Lothar. Ah but my friends, there is another item which solves the problem, kinda...maybe...give it a try? The Following was taken from the Arms and Equiptment Guide Blindfold of True Darkness: This black,silky blindfold grants the blindsigh ability with a range of 60 feet. Because the wearer's eyes are protected, he is also immune to gaze attacks, spells, or effects that rely on sight. Wearing the blindfold takes up the same space as goggles. The wearer cannot use vision in any way while wearing the blindfold. Caster Level:3rd; Prerequisites: Craft Wonderous item, see invisibility; Market Price: 9,000 gp; Weight- Well maybe it wasn't what you were thinking but it is something. That magic item. Is broken. We all know this. :) Make it 20,000 gp and we'll talk.
Shadowmagyk 05-17-04, 09:00 PM	Yes, but he also "watches the sunrise" and it's "less painful". I was simply saying that it never goes away.
Sphyre 05-18-04, 03:26 AM	Given that there's a feat that removes the problem it's very possible he could use an item that gives him access to the feat. A dark blue rhomboid ioun stone gives the alertness feat for 10,000, but is unslotted, so a slotted item would be 5,000. Eyeware IS a slot, thus it would be as such. Perhaps something like this: Goggles of Light Filtration These seem nothing more than regular goggles when worn by people with normal vision, although when worn by someone with the racial trait light sensativitiy it shows it's wearer can see things clearer than normal. A character with light sensativity wearing these may be treated as without having such a trait while these goggles are worn. Faint Illusion; Craft wonderous item, Able to cast at least spell with a glammer effect, Market Price 5,000 gp. Of course you could go with the rest of the thread and use some non magical version of the item, but as you and others have said there would be associated penalties for that and you need to have your entire eyes surrounded, as to not let any stray light in. Upto you, but I prefer to use encourage use of magical items.
Loopy 05-18-04, 08:39 AM	One might argue that the 4000-GP goggles of day in the Arms and Equipment Guide (p133) might perform the task at hand.
astute1 05-18-04, 08:44 AM	Originally posted by Loopy One might argue that the 4000-GP goggles of day in the Arms and Equipment Guide (p133) might perform the task at hand. Yeah, I'd rule that works. Now, A&EG isn't 3.5, so you have to figure out if the price is still the same. Sounds about right, though.