So it does seem that the general agreement is that the darkness spell can be cast on a small item like a stone that can then be taken in and out of a pocket. Only once though did i read that the stone could also be handed to a familiar, who could then move or fly around with it, taking the darkness with them.
Is this an acceptable use? The spell does say something about not being able to be cast on anything that could be carried or worn.
As written, you'd have to place the stone down before casting the spell, and then the familiar would have to pick it up. The familiar also couldn't see, so they might bump into stuff. Otherwise, sure!
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I would go with a bat: blindsight 60ft. But remember that your party will be just as blind.
Also... I don't think you don't have to drop the "stone/item" you cast darkness on. The implication is that something "carried" is too large to be covered properly to douse the darkness. Otherwise the bowl and helm wouldn't be mentioned. Your DM may rule against me here but that's my reading.
"If the point you choose is on an object you are holding or one that isn't being worn or carried, the darkness emanates from the object and moves with it. Completely covering the source of the darkness with an opaque object, such as a bowl or a helm, blocks the darkness."
"If the point you choose is on an object you are holding or one that isn't being worn or carried, the darkness emanates from the object and moves with it. Completely covering the source of the darkness with an opaque object, such as a bowl or a helm, blocks the darkness."
I think it is best to highlight this rule by its converse -- choosing an object that is being worn/carried bysomeone other than you at the time the spell is cast.
If this is the case, the Darkness does not "emanate from" the object, and will not move with the object. Put another way, the Darkness (in this case) really emanates from the location the object inhabited at the time the spell took effect, and the object may be moved out of the Darkness, and covering that object does nothing.
By contrast, if you are carrying the object when you cast Darkness on it, or if the object is not being worn or carriedat the time the spell is cast, the darkness will emanate from the object and will move with it,even if it is later worn/carried. You can cast it on an object you are wearing/carrying and then give it to a party member or familiar without it losing Darkness, or you can cast it on an object that is not being worn or carried by anyone, and then have someone or something pick it up, without it losing Darkness.
>> I think this is to prevent a clever player from casting Darkness on the NPC's clothing or items (especially things that cannot be dropped easily, like armor).
Being completely surrounded by darkness you can't get out of is bad for any enemy, but enemy spellcasters in particular this would be devastated, as sight is required for a lot of spells-- can't Fireball a "point you can see" if you can't see anything!
The Blindness spell mimics this effect on a single target, but, importantly, it has saving throws to avoid/break free of the effect.<<
Whether or not the object can be practically covered will depend on the object (a pebble, coin or a ring can be dropped into a bag with ease, but you might need to wrap up a shield or great axe in a bedroll).
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So it does seem that the general agreement is that the darkness spell can be cast on a small item like a stone that can then be taken in and out of a pocket. Only once though did i read that the stone could also be handed to a familiar, who could then move or fly around with it, taking the darkness with them.
Is this an acceptable use? The spell does say something about not being able to be cast on anything that could be carried or worn.
Thoughts?
As written, you'd have to place the stone down before casting the spell, and then the familiar would have to pick it up. The familiar also couldn't see, so they might bump into stuff. Otherwise, sure!
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Well at least the pseudodragon familiar gets blindsight 10ft.
Imps also get devil's sight - their darkvision works in magical darkness.
I would go with a bat: blindsight 60ft. But remember that your party will be just as blind.
Also... I don't think you don't have to drop the "stone/item" you cast darkness on. The implication is that something "carried" is too large to be covered properly to douse the darkness. Otherwise the bowl and helm wouldn't be mentioned. Your DM may rule against me here but that's my reading.
"If the point you choose is on an object you are holding or one that isn't being worn or carried, the darkness emanates from the object and moves with it. Completely covering the source of the darkness with an opaque object, such as a bowl or a helm, blocks the darkness."