[NSFW] Darkvision Alternates

[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 #2: Numerous creatures from the deep have darkvision, so let's change that. Choose any creature with darkvision and replace it with an alternate method of "seeing" of your own creation. By definition for the sake of this exercise, "seeing" shall be any means by which a creature can realize the exact presence of another creature. This means the creature must be able to know the exact square a character stands on during combat if the target is standing in open view. Go into as much detail as you like on how your unique form of vision works and it can include additional benefits, penalties, or conditions endowed upon the creature or inflict on its targets.

NOTE: Accuracy regarding creatures who have darkvision will not be strict. If you choose a creature that had darkvision in a previous edition but does not have it in 4e, that's fine. So long as your entry is reasonably used for this particular exercise.

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 having fun while you're not supposed to.

 

[Mentat55]

Creature(s): Wraiths, specters, pretty much any insubstantial undead would fit

Lifesense: You can see any creatures that do not have the undead or construct keywords within range and line of effect, even if they are invisible or obscured. If the creature is bloodied, they have concealment relative to you.

 

[EP]

Creature(s): Wraiths, specters, pretty much any insubstantial undead would fit

Lifesense: You can see any creatures that do not have the undead or construct keywords within range and line of effect, even if they are invisible or obscured. If the creature is bloodied, they have concealment relative to you.

Ooh, I like. The bloodier you are, the harder you are to see. Picture a character covered in blood, trying to sneak past a wraith, only to encourage the ghouls around the corner into a frenzy.

 

[Mentat55]

Nice. Yes, I could imagine ghouls and vampires with "blood scent", for lack of a better descriptor.

 

[Khuxan]

Bloodscent: You can see any bloodied creatures that do not have the undead or construct keywords within range and line of effect, even if they are invisible or obscured. You always treat the ground as soft ground for the purposes of tracking a bloodied creature. (Ghouls and lycanthropes).

Earthsense: You can see any creatures within range and line of effect if they are touching the ground, even if they are invisible or obscured. If they pass through difficult terrain, you learn whether they are bloodied and what conditions they are suffering. (Battlebriars and earth titans).

Nethersight: You can perceive the spirit that animates the living. You can see any creatures that do not have the construct or plant keywords within range and line of effect, even if they are invisible or obscured. Each round as a minor action you can observe their aura to learn one effect they are currently under. (Devils).

Schrodingermind: When you attack a square on the assumption there is a creature in it and there is not, a random creature in an adjacent square teleports into the square and is subject to your attack. (Gibbering beasts).

Spitesight: You can see any creatures of Good or Lawful Good alignment and creatures with the immortal keyword within range and line of effect, even if they are invisible or obscured. (Death knights).

 

[EP]

Nice touches, Khuxan. Especially some of the names. Where did you get the name for "Schrodingermind?" (thank you copy and paste function)

 

[RavenBlackthorne]

Ep try this link

Of course the article may or may not be there when you click the link.

 

[EP]

Ah, there it is. Now I don't feel left out, just forgetful.

 

[RangerWickett]

A very magical race, like high elves, could have vision like this:

Lifevision. At-will. Standard action. You see the world as if everything were crystal, where living creatures glow with a faint inner light. Until the beginning of your next turn you can ignore concealment from darkness against living creatures, and you can see objects adjacent to such creatures. This effectively lets you move around safely but slowly in the dark, since in lifevision you glow as well.



It lets you navigate in the dark, and it lets you keep lurkers in darkness in your vision, but not if you're planning to attack.

 

[EP]

Every time I start reading one of these, I faintly hear the sound of the Predator's clicking growl in the back of my head...

Very cool, Mr. RangerWickett, sir. Wasn't sure about it being a standard action at first, but I see what you're going with here. Something like this can be too powerful for a PC (especially heroic) and can upset the balance. If they can only refer to it for a round or so, then it becomes useful but a challenge.

I know this exercise isn't getting the same response as the previous one, but these are all cool as well. You never know what else will pop open, but I'm going to start another one today before heading up to the cottage. Check the sig or the NSFW home page (as always) to see what the next one is.