How would you explain this for a campaign setting?

[Najo]

I am working on a region for my campaign setting, and one of the locations is a isolated country that was ruled by vampire-like overlords. These vampires are effected by sunlight as normal, and I want this area of the world to be able to block out the sun without it affecting the regions around them. Of course these overlords have powerful magics at their disposal.

What is the best way for them to go about doing this? I need it believable by D&D magic theory. I want ideas on how they would do it and what the side effects on the sky, land, plants and animals, etc. would be. How would it affect the people who live there?

Thanks in advance for your advice, its much appreciated.

 

[Kafkonia]

I am working on a region for my campaign setting, and one of the locations is a isolated country that was ruled by vampire-like overlords. These vampires are effected by sunlight as normal, and I want this area of the world to be able to block out the sun without it affecting the regions around them. Of course these overlords have powerful magics at their disposal.

What is the best way for them to go about doing this? I need it believable by D&D magic theory. I want ideas on how they would do it and what the side effects on the sky, land, plants and animals, etc. would be. How would it affect the people who live there?

Thanks in advance for your advice, its much appreciated.

A very, very, very big Darkness spell?

 

[IanB]

Really, really big trees. And they just walk around underneath, in the perma-twilight created by the dense forest canopy.

 

[Pyrex]

Either an Epic Spell or a powerful Incantation would fit the bill.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Well, what if the ecology of the planet makes it so certain areas on the planet are always sunny, and always dark. Perhaps a "dark side" of the planet, and a light side?

Or, if that is too far of a stretch, perhaps it is not always dark there, but most of the time. Certain times of the year, the sun does shine through, which foces the vampires to hybernate for some time.

 

[atom crash]

1. dense fog that blankets the land, blocking out the sunlight and creating an atmosphere of dread (this sounds kinda like Ravenloft, doesn't it?)

2. large chunks of earth magically suspended in the air. the residents of the land live under the shadow and oppression of these airbourne islands.

 

[Sejs]

What.. like.. all the time?

Well.. all the plant life would die.. and the people would starve.. so they'd leave.. and thus the country would be a couple of powerful vampire-like overlords and some empty cities.

Hardly inspiring.


What about judicious use of Control Weather instead? Let the combination of heavy (heavy) cloud cover, and concealing clothing negate the effects of sunlight for these guys?

Adds to ambiance, too. And the people know that when a rainstorm rolls in out of nowhere, the Lords are out.

 

[ruemere]

I am working on a region for my campaign setting, and one of the locations is a isolated country that was ruled by vampire-like overlords. These vampires are effected by sunlight as normal, and I want this area of the world to be able to block out the sun without it affecting the regions around them. Of course these overlords have powerful magics at their disposal.

What is the best way for them to go about doing this? I need it believable by D&D magic theory. I want ideas on how they would do it and what the side effects on the sky, land, plants and animals, etc. would be. How would it affect the people who live there?

Thanks in advance for your advice, its much appreciated.

Blocking off sunlight is really bad news for
- your average farmer: shortage (or lack) of crops, weakening (and deaths) of livestock,
- your average warm-blooded vampire sustenance (see livestock),
- morale of mortal servants.

You'd be better of by setting up a horde of servants and empowering vampires with a powerful tool to control weather - in reality, clouds are not really any good for blocking ultraviolet, however, in your campaign, magical thunderclouds may be sufficient.

So, servants and a handy thunderstorm tool. That's my advice.

Regards,
Ruemere

 

[Hunter In Darkness]

anothing thing u could do is longer nights...and the main citys or strongholds of the loards could be shorded in shadows makeing the rest of the land liveable but the main citys would carry an air of gloom

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Place the region near the planet's poles- they'll have times when they have months of darkness 24hrs/day.

When the season changes, they'll retreat to the catacombs and do their business via their thralls.

However, when the darkness returns, and they are free to walk the surface again, they'll be ravenous- then comes the time known as...Bloodletting's Eve.