Drow and spell-like abilities

[Telas]

Simple question, really: Can a Drow see through his own Darkness?

If it were a spell, the answer's easy: No.

Since it's an innate spell-like ability, and the Dark Elves have excellent Darkvision, it makes a certain sense that they are basically unaffected by their own Darkness.

Comments?

This also raises the knotty subject of relative darkensses. If you cast a Darkness spell on a moonless night, how does it affect a Human? He can barely see to move, but under Darkness rules ("shadowy illumination"), he can actually see better. Of course, this is where the "DM's Common Sense" comes in.

As a DM, I dread the thought of competing areas of Darkness, Deeper Darkness, a torch, Light and Daylight spells....

Telas

 

[Thanee]

No, they are hindered in the same way as anyone else by the darkness.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Kershek]

Rename "darkness" to "reduce light" and you will have a cleaner, easier to understand spell. If it's dark, it stays dark. If someone tries to shine a light into it, it only brightens to shadowy illumination.

 

[Telas]

Rename "darkness" to "reduce light" and you will have a cleaner, easier to understand spell. If it's dark, it stays dark. If someone tries to shine a light into it, it only brightens to shadowy illumination.

Good way to put it, and that's basically how I interpret it. Yet another example of poor wording in the rules.

Telas

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Simple question, really: Can a Drow see through his own Darkness?

If it were a spell, the answer's easy: No.

Spell-like abilities are like spells in most regards.

In fact, this particular case has a lot of reverence in the literature. In R.A. Salvatores Drizzt Series, drow often conjure darkness and then use their training of fighting in complete darkness to gain the edge (blind-fight is very popular with drow fighters).

 

[Telas]

In fact, this particular case has a lot of reverence in the literature. In R.A. Salvatores Drizzt Series, ...

Which explains everything. I'm not a huge fan of Salvatore or Drizzt. Thanks for the input.

T