How on Oerth do the Grimlocks in Three Faces of Evil target light sources? They can't see them. They don't even know what light is.
I guess torches crackle. Lanterns can hiss and sputter. Bot give off heat. I guess a sunrod could make some kind of noise. But wouldn't those require some kinda role to target AFTER some kind of training (Those sticks in their hands that make noise and give off heat, hit THEM).
But what about spells, etc.?
I can see creatures with Darkvision targetting those not so blessed, but creatures who have no idea what light is?
Uh oh! I was supposed to write rules for this - I may have forgotten. Check at the start of the grimlock section of the dungeon - I think I meant to put the rules there. If they aren't there, I can post something. In essence, the grimlocks look for tell-tale signs that a target is holding a torch or lantern - sounds, the target's movement and posture, and so forth. Non-standard light sources, like a light spell on a shield or weapon, would foil this tactic.
In essence, the grimlocks know that if they destroy the sticks and small metal boxes that humans carry, the humans act as if they're blind.
Creative Director
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I'd say that they can use a combination of listening, scent (I reckon even sunrods give off an odor), and blindsight. They won't see the light, but they'll still recognize the torch or lantern or sunrod by its shape. If a party's using a light spell or something else like that... the grimlocks probably won't know to target the item if it's not something that normally gives off light.
Mike, I love the "The Bridge" encounter. Having two of the grimlocks try to shake the PCs off of it is soooooo my style of DMing. Great job!
As for the grimlocks writing, I find that it is indeed strange for such creatures to be literate. I know James had written in a different post that states that it's some sort of "spirit writing."
Too hokey for me, so I figured that the Grimlocks have some kind of system that works with their blindsight such as stone carving or some such thing - that way they can still sense the writing via blindsense.
As for a language, they can speak and hear, and even perhaps pheremones due to their ability to scent.
I decided that Grallak's funky beholder eyes allow him to see for reading and writing.
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As for the grimlocks writing, I find that it is indeed strange for such creatures to be literate. I know James had written in a different post that states that it's some sort of "spirit writing."
Too hokey for me, so I figured that the Grimlocks have some kind of system that works with their blindsight such as stone carving or some such thing - that way they can still sense the writing via blindsense.
As for a language, they can speak and hear, and even perhaps pheremones due to their ability to scent.
How about Braille?
And as for the light sources, the PCs are using the two everburning torches from the temple of Hextor. Since they don't give off heat, the two bearers have just got them sticking out of their backpacks, and don't appear to be carrying torches or lanterns.
Vestigial eyes of cave-creatures like grimlocks and "eyeless" cave-fish might still be able to discern the presence and direction of light. Try closing your eyes in a darkened room. After a few minutes turn on a lamp or a flashlight, while keeping your eyes closed. By turning your head back and forth you can tell where the light-source is through your eyelids. Grimlocks should be able to do something similar.
Reading and writing is a bit more strange--I like the spirit-writing idea. The grimlock priest could write in a sand-tray when the spirit of Erythnul is upon him, and then the sand-tray is delivered to Theldrick for transcription.
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OK; so I added the prisoner to Grallak's chamber, a captured miner, to translate for him during his visions.
I know, it's listed that he can speak Common (which I think is a bit of a stretch, being a blind, cannibalistic madman, who until recently, lived in the bowels of the earth. Though, if players are allowed to declare they know Undercommon, for the price of 2 skill points, then what's good for the goose, works both ways), and I did take advantage of this, to have him taunt the PCs from the safety of his mist.
However, I think when he's crying out in his fevered dreams, he'd more likely use his native tongue (which I had already told them was Undercommon, having forgotten that grimlocks had a language of their own...Duh, me).
It also allows me a backup plan, to fill in a few blanks in the PCs' understanding of what's going on; hints of their fatalistic suicide pact, to fuel the rise of the Overgod. In the event, I was able to throw these into the rants of Grallak and the chief, but it was theoretically possible for one of the PCs to kill either of the two in one blow, which would be a total waste of good material (LOL).
Having the prisoner be able to tell them 'He kept talking about you...' puts this info back on the table.
My group includes three divine casters, of different faiths (Cleric, Fighter/Cleric and Paladin), and this reflected the Ebon Triad far too well to ignore. I added some extra scrolls to his collection, which stated that he was expecting the PCs, and expected to die at their hand, to be reborn into a glorious afterlife of constant bloodshed.
They found the scroll that mentioned their 'Radiant Trio', plus 'the other one, tainted with Shadow', which caused some sideways glances at the Scout, and a rather awkward pause. (Tee-Hee!)