[NSFW] Darkvision: Three-Step Process

[EP]

Work is boring. Gaming is fun. Work should be more like gaming.

Not Suitable For Work is a new addition to Combat Advantage, the free 4e series of PDFs from Emerald Press PDF Publishing. Every month will have a theme to which any number of brainstorming exercises will be made. Each week or so, we will post a new thread for 4e material utilizing that theme and everyone is open to submit their concepts on EN World. The trick to this game is that you must rely on your memory of the game and cannot use any supplements, core rulebooks, or online references - simply use your innate knowledge of the game to create new material on the fly. Accuracy is not immediately required - these are brainstorms for new ideas, concepts, and add-ons to 4e. Throw in your ideas, no matter how crazy they are because you never know what they may lead to.

NSFW is not a contest and is designed solely as a recreational design exercise for those of you stuck at work, school, or anywhere else on your lunch breaks with nothing to do. Waiting for that report to come back from management? Homework? Eww. Check out the theme and post your ideas for this week’s exercise. There’s no voting, no deadlines, or bad ideas. It’s all about having a little bit of fun while the boss isn’t looking. Enough talk!

DARKVISION​

While the sun begins to shine a little brighter in the sky, we turn deeper underground with darkvision for May. All exercises this month will focus on this particular vision taken away from players in 4e. Study everything you know about this topic because your memory is the only thing allowed here.

Exercise #1: Darkvision has been taken out of reach for the majority of players, so let's fix that. Your task is to create a three-step process for ANY player to gain full use of darkvision. The three steps can be spread across different levels, a three-tier feat, a paragon path, or any other way of delivering darkvision to a player character. No matter how it's done, the player cannot have full use of darkvision until the third step.

Post your ideas below. Remember these are exercises built for enjoyment and mental exercise of the game. Accuracy is not required on every little detail and some mistakes are forgiveable. (See?) If you'd like to post a revised version of your entry, just be sure to type in which version under Reason for Edits. If you want to post more than one entry, go crazy. It's all just in the name of fun while you're not supposed to.

 

[malcolm_n]

I like the article concept, but there are already several ways to have darkvision without the cumbersome process.

1) Play a drow
2) Play a spellscarred character
3) Eyes of the Spider Queen (arcane power level 2 warlock spell)
---
I guess if you'd like a dwarf fighter/paladin with darkvision, then you could do something like:

Dungeon Sense
Benefit: You gain a +2 feat bonus to Perception checks and Dungeoneering checks.

Dungeon Delver
Prerequisites: Dungeon Sense
Benefit: You can reroll any Perception or Dungeoneering check made while you are in complete darkness, but you must take the second result, even if it's lower.

Dungeon Sight
Prerequisites: Dungeon Sense, Dungeon Delver
Benefit: You have Darkvision and a +2 bonus to initiative checks made in complete darkness.

 

[EP]

I like the article concept, but there are already several ways to have darkvision without the cumbersome process.

1) Play a drow
2) Play a spellscarred character
3) Eyes of the Spider Queen (arcane power level 2 warlock spell)
---

...but those only cover specific characters. What about if you're a human cleric and want darkvision? What you have works as well, but how about for any character out there other than a dwarf? This exercise is for a generic way for any characters to gain darkvision using a three-step process.

I've added clarification above to account for this and make sure that such is specified in future exercises. Sorry if there was any confusion.

 

[Neubert]

I'll bite. I've created a feat progression as well, since I found it hard to do a paragon path (though I suppose having three levels to reach count as steps as well?)

Far-seer [Heroic tier]
Benefit: You can see twice as far with a light source.

Eagle Eyes [Paragon tier]
Prerequisite: Far-Seer
Benefit: You gain a +2 bonus to perception checks. Once per round you can turn a active perception checks into a free action.

Friend with the dark [Epic tier]
Prerequisite: Eagle Eyes, Far-Seer
Benefit: You ignore all effects of darkness (such as concealment). You can see through areas of darkness as though the darkness was not there.

 

[Cadfan]

I have some ideas, but none of them fit into a three step process. The problem is that a three step process doesn't fit very well within the powers system, which means you almost have to use the feat system instead.

 

[EP]

I have some ideas, but none of them fit into a three step process. The problem is that a three step process doesn't fit very well within the powers system, which means you almost have to use the feat system instead.

I'd thought about that as well, but paragon paths are a way because they grant three new powers across various levels. As long as you can develop three powers creating a string effect to full darkvision, it would count. Or make some kind of alteration in power (such as prerequisite powers) to fill in the gaps. There's nothing saying it has be completely compatible with previous material - if you need to make something up, go for it. Just make it workable and easy to adapt.

These combinations can happen in any way. Give a character a feat that boosts a power, which is then augmented to full darkvision using a ritual. Or a trio of magic items brought together to endow its wearer with darkvision. Or two magic items used in a ritual. The more creative, the better.

 

[EP]

Far-seer [Heroic tier]
Benefit: You can see twice as far with a light source.

Eagle Eyes [Paragon tier]
Prerequisite: Far-Seer
Benefit: You gain a +2 bonus to perception checks. Once per round you can turn a active perception checks into a free action.

Friend with the dark [Epic tier]
Prerequisite: Eagle Eyes, Far-Seer
Benefit: You ignore all effects of darkness (such as concealment). You can see through areas of darkness as though the darkness was not there.

Nice. It grants a version of darkvision that's the same thing, but wags your tongue at the DM and says "It's not darkvision - it's an ability to see in the dark."

 

[malcolm_n]

...but those only cover specific characters. What about if you're a human cleric and want darkvision? What you have works as well, but how about for any character out there other than a dwarf? This exercise is for a generic way for any characters to gain darkvision using a three-step process.

I've added clarification above to account for this and make sure that such is specified in future exercises. Sorry if there was any confusion.

No problem here. Thank you for the clarification.

By the way, read those again, they don't require you to be a dwarf; I was just using that as an example. You can be any race/class and take those feats.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Off the top of my head...

Gloves of Eyes Level 7+
These silk gloves are decorated with vividly embroidered lidless eyes on their palms.
Level 7 2600 gp
Level 12 13,000 gp
Level 17 65,000 gp
Item Slot: Hands
Property: You gain low-light vision and +2 item bonus to perception checks involving sight.
Level 12: You may see 2 squares beyond the normal range of any light source as if the area had full illumination.
Level 17: You have darkvision and also gain a +2 to all stealth roles involving darkness or shadow.

Something like that. I like the image of a PC wandering around using his hands to look at stuff, lol. Could also be made into a head slot item of course. Alternatively a ritual could provide level graded versions of the same effects. Just boost the DC by 5 to get each better effect and make them hard to get at first.

 

[EP]

No problem here. Thank you for the clarification.

By the way, read those again, they don't require you to be a dwarf; I was just using that as an example. You can be any race/class and take those feats.

I was wondering about that, but you're right. Nice job.