D&D 5E Invisibility

[Maxperson]

Can you imagine casting Invisibility on Atlas or the World Turtle?

Technically A'tuin carries only 4 elephants. THEY carry the world, so nobody would notice them vanish except for that one country at the edge of the world.

 

[Audiomancer]

I would rule that the item becomes invisible. Unless the player specifically asks that it remain visible for shenanigans. (Shenanigans should always trump RAW)

A few months ago, I had a similar experience when my Arcane Trickster cast Mage Hand. The party was in a tavern when a brawl broke out. I was seriously low on HP, so I decided to hide under a table and watch the show. At some point, the DM narrated that an NPC had been knocked into the bar, and spilled a basket of apples that had been sitting there.

So I cast my Mage Hand (invisible because of Arcane Trickster), sent it to grab the least-damaged-looking apple, and brought it back to my hiding spot. Then, “Bonus Action: I start eating the apple.” (That became my catchphrase for a couple of sessions.)

Someone asked if an apple carried by an invisible Mage Hand would be visible or invisible, and we all agreed visible was funnier. So I guess that’s our house rule now.

 

[Edgar Ironpelt]

1. I agree with Jeremy Crawford's answer. Pick up an object after you turn invisible, and the object remains visible. Conceal the object in your clothing and it becomes invisible.

2. I remember on old USENET debate in the d&d group (Rec.games.frp.dnd) where the issue was "If you cast Invisibility on a closed door, can you then look through it to see the room (and any occupants) on the other side?" I answered "Yes" (and that the occupants could look through the invisible door to see the party), but there were a number of people who vigorously argued "No!"

 

[Mark1733]

As someone who will be adjudicating this for the first time, I am interested in this debate so I can set out the expectation to my party. So, from a fantasy/magic perspective, I would think that material/objects external to the invisible subject are able to be concealed as invisible…because that’s just cool. That said, I want to rule consistently and not have to deal with other potential mechanical issues with invisibility. Is it feasible to have a material or object be complete concealed within that which is invisible and “attune” for 1 round? For example, I am invisible, I pick up a dagger and sheath it. For that round its visible but fades to invisible by my next round, as the magic engulfs it, permitting onlookers a perception check to spot my stealth momentarily. Similarly, I take a swig of liquid courage, and the ale visibly swishes in my gut for a few seconds before turning invisible. Similarly, I remove an empty potion vial from my pouch (never letting go) and pour a new liquid into it and put the source bottle down. The bottle which I pick up in touch stays visible as does the liquid. The liquid remains visible for a round at which point it turns invisible within the potion vial. The source bottle I put down remains visible.

Thoughts?

 

[Bill Zebub]

it is very plainly invisible.

I love that phrasing.

 

[Mark1733]

Sorry to belabor the point, but how would folks adjudicate invisibility in the terrain with falling snow? Does the snow that falls onto the character become invisible? I have an arctic adventure working and can see this situation happening.

 

[W'rkncacnter]

Sorry to belabor the point, but how would folks adjudicate invisibility in the terrain with falling snow? Does the snow that falls onto the character become invisible? I have an arctic adventure working and can see this situation happening.

that could honestly be a really cool way to narrate spotting an invisible enemy - you notice the falling snow just...disappear. not merging with the snow below or being blown away, but simply ceasing to exist midair.

 

[Maxperson]

Sorry to belabor the point, but how would folks adjudicate invisibility in the terrain with falling snow? Does the snow that falls onto the character become invisible? I have an arctic adventure working and can see this situation happening.

It might, but even if it did, if enough snow was falling, there would be a man shaped empty space in the falling snow, plus the invisible person is leaving tracks.

 

[Mark1733]

It might, but even if it did, if enough snow was falling, there would be a man shaped empty space in the falling snow, plus the invisible person is leaving tracks.

what if pass without a trace was also active?

 

[Maxperson]

what if pass without a trace was also active?

That would prevent the footprints, but the falling snow could still reveal the shape if it is a heavy enough snowfall. A light, sparse snow will not show the invisible person unless by sheer coincidence someone was watching the single piece of snow as it hits the person. I wouldn't even roll the odds of that are so low.