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So I want to have a Darkskull enchanted with Deeper Darkness, but I don't want to have that effect constantly active as it may hamper some other party members/social encounters. Is there a way to suppress the effect that is also quickly changed so that I don't have to waste too much time "activating" or uncovering or otherwise fiddling with my darkskull? Maybe a cover or command word?
Alternatively, you can look at the spell list for the Unhallow spell and suggest other options for my darkskull. I have a class ability that allows me to see in any kind of darkness so Deeper Darkness sounded fun.
I believe it would work the same way as a continual flame spell, in that if you completely cover the item with the effect on it, the light would be "smothered" or hidden away. Darkness (and deeper darkness) states the object radiates darkness, basically there needs to be line of effect, which would be blocked by something that wasn't translucent, to let the effect work.
Given the cost of a darkskull, pick up a magical haversack and getting the darkskull out will be trivial when you want it around (move action).
Aren't most constant effects suppressed by a command word?
Aren't most constant effects suppressed by a command word?
As the darkskull doesn't say so, I wouldn't be comfortable saying yes by RAW. A custom item that was specifically crafted as "command use" would be, however gloves of dex, wouldn't be (but are "constant effects" incidentally).
So I want to have a Darkskull enchanted with Deeper Darkness, but I don't want to have that effect constantly active as it may hamper some other party members/social encounters. Is there a way to suppress the effect that is also quickly changed so that I don't have to waste too much time "activating" or uncovering or otherwise fiddling with my darkskull? Maybe a cover or command word?
Unhallow is an emanation.
An emanation spell functions like a burst spell, except that the effect continues to radiate from the point of origin for the duration of the spell. Most emanations are cones or spheres.
So we read the line above it, which says...
A burst spell affects whatever it catches in its area, including creatures that you can't see. It can't affect creatures with total cover from its point of origin (in other words, its effects don't extend around corners). The default shape for a burst effect is a sphere, but some burst spells are specifically described as cone-shaped. A burst's area defines how far from the point of origin the spell's effect extends.
So, providing total cover from the point of origin (the darkskull) blocks the effects of unhallow.
Total Cover: If you don't have line of effect to your target (that is, you cannot draw any line from your square to your target's square without crossing a solid barrier), he is considered to have total cover from you. You can't make an attack against a target that has total cover.
So the question becomes whether or not a rag or hat or something that you could wear over the darkskull is considered a "solid barrier". I'd say no. However, a steel helmet over it (mundane, obviously) would probably work. You might have to get a special one made, but helmets ought to be cheap anyway. Get one with a visor you can raise or lower to shoot your unhallow emanation out in a cone in front of you (like a bull's eye lantern of evil).
Donning or removing a helmet completely is likely a move action (similar to donning or removing a shield), but it isn't spelled out in the rules, so discuss that with your GM.
Alternatively, you can look at the spell list for the Unhallow spell and suggest other options for my darkskull. I have a class ability that allows me to see in any kind of darkness so Deeper Darkness sounded fun.
It depends on what your build is and what you want to do. Want to me a mage-killer and have no spells to cast yourself? Silence is awesome. Invisible foes a consistent problem? Invisibility purge. Run into lots of wights, vampires or other energy draining undead? Death ward is a godsend. Dispel magic could also be fun for just screwing with everything you run into. Knowing what you want to do completely determines what spell is best for you.