Do you need to hold a light source (lantern, wayfinder etc) in hand for it to be effective?

[Thocar]

I'm just trying to clarify how player held light sources can/should work. Specifically with regards to whether they need to be held in hand or can your attach them to your belt or necklace?

In the core rulebook, the lantern description states "You CAN carry a lantern in one hand". Does they mean the lantern must be in your hand to use it as a light source?

Could you get non-burning light sources, such as a lantern, wayfinder or everburning torch and clip them to your belt for them to be effective, freeing up both your hands?

An argument against this is that, if the light source is around your neck or on your belt and you're holding a shield/weapon/ or two handed weapon, your arms will be in front of the light, casting large shadows into the room beyond, reducing the efficacy of the light source.

This goes for casting light spell on a object too. If it's cast on a weapon or shield, then it's the same as holding out a torch to project light. If it's cast on a belt buckle then the light is obscured by whatever you're holding.

I've tried to find clarification for this in the core rulebook but came up empty. What do people think?

[spalding]

Yup the second you put a lantern down it completely stops putting out light -- just like in the real world.

Alright I had my fun -- the answer is the light remains until something puts it out or it runs out of fuel. You can drop a sunrod down a well for example or put a lantern down for a fight (though it might get knocked over, broken or stolen) or throw a torch at something to see what was there (or to set a fire).

If the light spell is cast on your armor then your armor will glow (regardless of you holding it or wearing it), same if it's put on a locket (or in a locket, but closing the locket would of course block the light).

This isn't one of those video games where if you don't have a torch in your hand you can't see. It has room for common sense.

[Gauss]

Continual light on a stick, attach stick to backpack. Lanterns burn, anyone wanting that source of heat close to tender bits deserves to get burned. (Go camping sometime and see what I mean.) For really cheap and easy way around this: 75gp ioun stone of continual light. Cant beat a lightsource that circles your head.

Honestly, this is a fantasy game that can have a bit too much realism. Worrying about the shadows cast by a lightsource is asking for a headache. 'Player: so Mr. DM if I create a shadow just...so can my buddy the rogue hide in it?' Muahaha!

- Gauss

[Thocar]

Sorry, perhaps I should clarify.

A DM I played with ruled that an everburning torch couldn't be clipped to my belt, it needed to be held for the light cast to be effective. The torch still was casting light, but the light was obscured by what I was holding (namely, a shield and hammer), hence it wasn't doable.

This isn't about whether the light goes out if it's not in hand. A torch on the wall is fine, no arguments there.

The question is whether light cast from an object is still exactly the same whether you hold it in hand or clip it onto your belt.

[Thocar]

Gauss wrote:

Continual light on a stick, attach stick to backpack. Lanterns burn, anyone wanting that source of heat close to tender bits deserves to get burned. (Go camping sometime and see what I mean.) For really cheap and easy way around this: 75gp ioun stone of continual light. Cant beat a lightsource that circles your head.

Honestly, this is a fantasy game that can have a bit too much realism. Worrying about the shadows cast by a lightsource is asking for a headache. 'Player: so Mr. DM if I create a shadow just...so can my buddy the rogue hide in it?' Muahaha!

- Gauss

Cheers for that Gauss.

I do agree, worrying a lot about how shadows cast light could raise other arguments re: hiding in shadows.

[Diego Rossi]

Buckling your light source at your belt is placing it in one the worst position possible. I agree with your GM that placing it there will make it mostly ineffective.
Look what miners do: it is in in the front of theirs helmet, with a metal parabola behind it to focus before them.
Another decent position in on the external surface of your shield.

[Umbranus]

It is not only about if the light shines out but as much about if it shines in your eyes. So I don't think the light on an ion stone is such a good idea if is flying round your head but I would not press the issue.

And while the belt micht not be the best position for a light source, the backpack should be fine.
Or other positions already mentioned like the helmet or the outside of your shield.

[blackbloodtroll]

Grab a dull grey Ioun stone, and cast continual light(or just light) on it. No more arguments with the DM needed.

[Komoda]

Yeah, belt seems like a bad idea. Stick it to your backpack like the flag of a samurai or like a radio antenna. That is what my group does with continual flame torches all the time.

[mikepliek]

Technicly you can use a shield with a illuminating shield boss so you dont have to hold a lantern in one hand, you can still hold onto your shield and keep going, though i believe its slightly weaker then holding an actual lantern
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment/armor/shield-boss/

[Azothath]

it's just a silly old question as light spell and dancing lights spell answers the question along with mundane candles not going out if you put them down (so much for your candlelight supper Mrs. Bucket!).
Prooooobably some GM thought they needed to be held as it is a handedness topic and some people love those and it prompted the question...

[Tim Emrick]

FYI, you're responding to a 12-year-old thread (which incidentally, predates the introduction of shield bosses by 3 years).