Light spell

[Quasqueton]

We had a debate in our game the other night about the effect of a light spell. I was saying that the spot touched on an object glowed. I described it as a glowing point (on a sword in this instance) about the size of a fist.

All my Players said they thought the whole object glowed. If a sword was the object, then the whole length of the sword glowed. If you put that sword in its sheath, then the grip and pommel could still shed some light to see by.

Light spell description:

This spell causes an object to glow like a torch, shedding bright light in a 20-foot radius (and dim light for an additional 20 feet) from the point you touch. The effect is immobile, but it can be cast on a movable object. Light taken into an area of magical darkness does not function.
A light spell (one with the light descriptor) counters and dispels a darkness spell (one with the darkness descriptor) of an equal or lower level.

How do you rule/describe/think of the light spell?

Quasqueton

 

[CCamfield]

Torches burn at only one end, and the description you quote mentions a point, so I'd say it's a point. Which could be kind of handy in that you could sheathe a sword with light on it when you want to sneak in the dark.

 

[MichaelH]

Even a sword that magically sheds light does not shed light when sheathed. So unless you touched the pommel I would say that the light is covered if the sword is sheathed and it sheds no light.

 

[Gnimish88]

Even a sword that magically sheds light does not shed light when sheathed. So unless you touched the pommel I would say that the light is covered if the sword is sheathed and it sheds no light.

A little off the topic, but how about shields? I had always kind of pictured the entire face glowing in the direction it faced and not on the grip side, but now I wonder. Any thoughts?

 

[Quasqueton]

One argument I had against having the whole object glow is: what happens when light is cast on a tree? A huge boulder? A wagon? A dungeon wall? A ship? A castle? Do these whole objects glow?

Quasqueton

 

[jayaint]

It's definitely a point on any object... if not.. then you could cast light on a 50' rope and an entire party of humans could see 90' total, ahead and behind them, assuming the whole object glowed. It is for sure a point, and if that point is put away, or in a container with full cover, then no light escapes.

 

[Ferret]

Here come the rocks tied to string and the ceiling.

 

[AeroDm]

Although if a character really wanted their entire shield or entire blade to be shimmering in light... I'd certainly not be adverse. So long as the players are doing it solely for flavor I'd allow it no questions asked.