After seeing this awesome picture, and feeling inspired, I've decided to stat out an adult black dragon vampire NPC, which may see use in some future campaign.
As I was going through the numbers I realized that the black dragon had darkness as a spell-like ability at will.
Would it be possible for a vampire to go out on short forays during the day by casting darkness on an item in his possession in order to protect themselves from the sun?
Why or why not?
it probably blocks the light, however I would argue that it doesn't block out the UV rays.
However, I can't find a reason agains it, using the knowledge of the normal Player-characters.
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Sunlight in daytime= Bright Light.
Cast Darkness= Normal Light
Bye bye vampire...
Edit: Yes i'm aware light vulnerability/sensitivity etc. doesn't apply in normal light. But those effects are far more minor than the effect of sunlight on a vampire. Best case scenario, houe-rule some decreased (but still crippling) effect for using darkness in the sun to lower the light level by one step.
Yes.
Because the spell says so:
This darkness causes the illumination level in the area to drop one step, from bright light to normal light, from normal light to dim light, or from dim light to darkness. This spell has no effect in an area that is already dark. Creatures with light vulnerability or sensitivity take no penalties in normal light.
(Emphasis mine.) So note that it won't turn full daylight into full darkness - just sort of dim the light to just normal levels of light (like, say, a cloudy day.)
What's the radius of the darkness and what's the size of the dragon, nose to tail?
I'm thinking you've got this enormous undead monster trying to hide under this little tiny parasol.
If you read about vampire weaknes, it doesn't mention "bright light", it says "Exposing any vampire to direct sunlight ..."
So my interpretation is that dimmed sunlight still has the full potency, a really bright torch wouldn't hurt him at all.
th UV rays were perhaps not the accurate interpreation of the source of their weaknesses. However I still think that there is nothing physical blocking the direct sunlight.
Okay, I might be seeking for a reason for the result I want, but I think it's a bit too good otherwise :)
Hey, if vampires want to wander the country 1 dispel magic away from instant death I'm all for it.
That fact was not amiss on my mind.
Adult black dragon is my base creature, so he's large.