Definition of "Magical Light Source"

[Quishadi]

Hi I just want a clarification to make sure that I'm understanding light and darkness in Pathfinder correctly.

For a source to be considered a "Magical" light source, does it need to be a spell or magical effect with the "light" key-word or that is described specifically as a "magical light source"?

I just want to make sure that effects that clearly produce light, such as fire or lightning spells, spell-like abilities and supernatural abilities, but that are neither given the "light" key-word nor described as being a magical light source, are in fact NOT magical light sources. The light they shed is instead treated as incidental environmental effects that cannot affect magical darkness.

So do I have that right? Or would something like a firewall (or a admixtured lightning wall) or an elemental body (I'm specifically thinking of a fire elemental) be considered a magical light source and therefore affect the level of light if within the area of effect of a Darkness or Deeper Darkness spell?

Thanks.

[Quishadi]

Doesn't anyone know the answer to this? I honestly cannot find an actual definition for "magical light source"!

Simple case: I cast elemental body IV (7th level wiz/sor spell). Am I now a 7th level magical light source able to shine brightly in an area of deeper darkness, or because the spell does not have the *light* key-word, does it do nothing to the deeper darkness?

[Mojorat]

Well for magic its an easy test. Does the spell have the light descriptor. However if you fireball or lightning bolt something and it catches on fire its not magical.

In the case of elemental body I'm not sure though. I think it might be though otherwise casting a lvl 2 spell would make elemental body fire go away.

[Illeist]

Only spells with the [light] descriptor and the text "[spell x] can be used to counter or dispel any darkness spell of equal or lower spell level" count for the purposes of magical light. An Elemental Aura or a Fireball might give off light, but it's mundane light, and its strength is up to DM fiat.

[Drejk]

Quote:

Hi I just want a clarification to make sure that I'm understanding light and darkness in Pathfinder correctly.

For a source to be considered a "Magical" light source, does it need to be a spell or magical effect with the "light" key-word or that is described specifically as a "magical light source"?

I just want to make sure that effects that clearly produce light, such as fire or lightning spells, spell-like abilities and supernatural abilities, but that are neither given the "light" key-word nor described as being a magical light source, are in fact NOT magical light sources. The light they shed is instead treated as incidental environmental effects that cannot affect magical darkness.

Yes, you got it right - if it has no [light] descriptor then it is not magical light source.

[Quishadi]

Thank you all for your answers.