Case: Invisibility

Uuden D&D:n ilmestyminen innoitti vertailemaan sitä, miten invisibility-loitsun kesto ja toiminta on muuttunut versiosta toiseen. Listasin tähän virallisista versioista OD&D:n, AD&D:n, Moldvay Basicin, Mentzer Basicin, D&D 3.5:n ja D&D Nextin. Klooneista listasin Pathfinderin, ACKS:n, Basic Fantasyn ja Castles & Crusadesin. Puuttumaan jäi mm. AD&D:n toinen laitos ja D&D 4e, mutta tässä pitäisi olla mukana kaikki itseäni kiinnostavat laitokset ja versiot. Poistin tarkoituksella kappalejaot korostaakseni “wall of text” -ilmiötä.

Näkymättömyyttä on monenlaista. Kuva: Dungeons & Dragons cartoon encyclopaedia
Näkymättömyyttä on monenlaista. Kuva: Dungeons & Dragons cartoon encyclopaedia

Erityisen kiinnostavaa on taian keston vaihtelut laitoksesta ja versiosta toiseen. Siinä missä OD&D:n taika kestää ikuisesti, on Pathfinderin ja 3.5-laitoksen taikojen kesto vain 1 min/taso. Molvayn Basicissa valon suhde näkymättömyyteen on ilmoitettu elegantisti ja muutenkin taikakuvaus on sopivan pituinen. Pathfinderin ja 3.5-laitoksen pidemmistä tekstimassoista on enää vaikea erottaa olennaista yhdellä nopealla silmäyksellä.

OD&D:

Invisibility: A spell which lasts until it is broken by the user or by some outside force (remember that as in CHAINMAIL, a character cannot remain invisible and attack). It affects only the person or thing upon whom or which it is cast. Range: 24”

AD&D (1st edition):

lnvisibility (Illusion/Phantasm)
Level: 2
Components: V, S, M
Range: Touch
Casting Time: 2 segments
Duration: Special
Saving Throw: None
Area of Effect: Creature touched

Explanation/Description: This spell causes the recipient to vanish from sight and not be detectable by normal vision or even infravision. Of course, the invisible creature is not magically silenced with respect to noises normal to it. The spell remains in effect until it is magically broken or dispelled, or the magic-user or the other recipient cancels it or until he, she or it attacks any creature. Thus, the spell caster or recipient could open doors, talk, eat, climb stairs, etc., but if any form of attack is made, the invisible creature immediately becomes visible, although this will allow the first attack by the creature because of the former invisibility. Even the allies of the spell recipient cannot see the invisible creature, or his, her or its gear, unless these allies can normally see invisible things or employ magic to do so. Note that all highly intelligent creatures with 10 or more hit dice, or levels of experience, or the equivalent in intelligence/dice/levels have a chance to automatically detect invisible objects. The material components of the invisibility spell are an eyelash and a bit of gum arabic, the former encased in the latter.

Moldvay Basic:

Invisibility
Range: 240′
Duration: permanent until broken (see below)

This spell will make the caster or any one person or object in range invisible. When a character becomes invisible, all the items (but not other creatures) carried and worn by that character also become invisible. Any invisible item will become visible once again and remain visible when it leaves the character’s possession (is set down, dropped, and so forth). An invisible person will remain invisible until he or she attacks or casts a spell. A source of light may be made invisible, but the light will remain visible.

Mentzer Basic:

Invisibility
Range: 240‘
Duration: Permanent until broken
Effect: One creature or object

This spell will make any one creature or object invisible. When a creature becomes invisible, all items carried and worn also become invisible. Any invisible item becomes visible again when it leaves the creature’s possession (dropped, set down, etc.). If the magic-user makes an object invisible that is not being carried or worn, it will become visible again when touched by any living creature. An invisible creature will remain invisible until he or she attacks or casts any spell. A light source (such as a torch) may be made invisible, but the light given off will always remain visible

D&D 3.5:

Invisibility
Illusion (Glamer)
Level: Brd 2, Sor/Wiz 2, Trickery 2
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: standard action
Range: Personal or touch
Target: You or a creature or object weighing no more than 100 lb./level
Duration: 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless) or Will negates (harmless, object)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless) or Yes (harmless, object)

The creature or object touched becomes invisible, vanishing from sight, even from darkvision. If the recipient is a creature carrying gear, that vanishes, too. If you cast the spell on someone else, neither you nor your allies can see the subject, unless you can normally see invisible things or you employ magic to do so. Items dropped or put down by an invisible creature become visible; items picked up disappear if tucked into the clothing or pouches worn by the creature. Light, however, never becomes invisible, although a source of light can become so (thus, the effect is that of a light with no visible source). Any part of an item that the subject carries but that extends more than 10 feet from it becomes visible.The creature or object touched becomes invisible, vanishing from sight, even from darkvision. If the recipient is a creature carrying gear, that vanishes, too. If you cast the spell on someone else, neither you nor your allies can see the subject, unless you can normally see invisible things or you employ magic to do so. Of course, the subject is not magically silenced, and certain other conditions can render the recipient detectable (such as stepping in a puddle). The spell ends if the subject attacks any creature. For purposes of this spell, an attack includes any spell targeting a foe or whose area or effect includes a foe. (Exactly who is a foe depends on the invisible character’s perceptions.) Actions directed at unattended objects do not break the spell. Causing harm indirectly is not an attack. Thus, an invisible being can open doors, talk, eat, climb stairs, summon monsters and have them attack, cut the ropes holding a rope bridge while enemies are on the bridge, remotely trigger traps, open a portcullis to release attack dogs, and so forth. If the subject attacks directly, however, it immediately becomes visible along with all its gear. Spells such as bless that specifically affect allies but not foes are not attacks for this purpose, even when they include foes in their area. Invisibility can be made permanent (on objects only) with a permanency spell.
Arcane Material Component: An eyelash encased in a bit of gum arabic.

D&D Next:

Invisibility
2nd-level illusion
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (an eyelash encased in gum arabic)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

A creature you touch becomes invisible until the spell ends. Anything the target is wearing or carrying is invisible as long as it is on the target’s person. The spell ends for a target that attacks or casts a spell. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 2nd.

Pathfinder:

INVISIBILITY
School: illusion (glamer)
Level: bard 2, sorcerer/wizard 2
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Components: V, S, M/DF (an eyelash encased in gum arabic)
Range: personal or touch
Target: you or a creature or object weighing no more than 100 lbs./level
Duration: 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless) or Will negates (harmless, object)
Spell Resistance: yes (harmless) or yes (harmless, object)

The creature or object touched becomes invisible. If the recipient is a creature carrying gear, that vanishes, too. If you cast the spell on someone else, neither you nor your allies can see the subject, unless you can normally see invisible things or you employ magic to do so. Items dropped or put down by an invisible creature become visible; items picked up disappear if tucked into the clothing or pouches worn by the creature. Light, however, never becomes invisible, although a source of light can become so (thus, the effect is that of a light with no visible source). Any part of an item that the subject carries but that extends more than 10 feet from it becomes visible. Of course, the subject is not magically silenced, and certain other
conditions can render the recipient detectable (such as swimming in water or stepping in a puddle). If a check is required, a stationary invisible creature has a +40 bonus on its Stealth checks. This bonus is reduced to +20 if the creature is moving. The spell ends if the subject attacks any creature. For purposes of this spell, an attack includes any spell targeting a foe or whose area or effect includes a foe. Exactly who is a foe depends on the invisible character’s perceptions. Actions directed at unattended objects do not break the spell. Causing harm indirectly is not an attack. Thus, an invisible being can open doors, talk, eat, climb stairs, summon monsters and have them attack, cut the ropes holding a rope bridge while enemies are on the bridge, remotely trigger traps, open a portcullis to release attack dogs, and so forth. If the subject attacks directly, however, it immediately becomes visible along with all its gear. Spells such as bless that specifically affect allies but not foes are not attacks for this purpose, even when they include foes in their area. Invisibility can be made permanent (on objects only) with a permanency spell.

ACKS:

Invisibility
Range: touch
Arcane 2
Duration: special

The creature or object touched becomes invisible, vanishing from sight, including Infravision. If the recipient is a creature carrying gear, that vanishes as well. If the spell is cast on someone else, neither the caster nor his allies can see the subject, unless they can normally see invisible things or employ magic to do so. Items dropped or put down by an invisible creature become visible; items picked up disappear if tucked into the clothing or pouches worn by the creature. Light, however, never becomes invisible, although a source of light can become so (thus, the effect is that of a light with no visible source). Any part of an item that the subject carries but that extends more than 10′ from it becomes visible. Of course, the subject is not magically silenced, and certain other conditions can render the recipient detectable (such as stepping in a puddle). The spell ends if the subject attacks any creature or casts any spell. Actions (other than spellcasting) directed at unattended objects do not break the spell. Causing harm indirectly is not an
attack. The spell lasts at most 24 hours.

Basic Fantasy RPG:

Invisibility
Range: touch
Magic-User 2
Duration: special

The creature or object touched becomes invisible, vanishing from sight, including Darkvision. If the recipient is a creature carrying gear, that vanishes, too. If the spell is cast on someone else, neither the caster nor his or her allies can see the subject, unless they can normally see invisible things or employ magic to do so. Items dropped or put down by an invisible creature become visible; items picked up disappear if tucked into the clothing or pouches worn by the creature. Light, however, never becomes invisible, although a source of light can become so (thus, the effect is that of a light with no visible source). Any part of an item that the subject carries but that extends more than 10 feet from it becomes visible. Of course, the subject is not magically silenced, and certain other conditions can render the recipient detectable (such as stepping in a puddle). The spell ends if the subject attacks any creature or casts any spell. Actions (other than spellcasting) directed at unattended objects do not break the spell. Causing harm indirectly is not an attack. The spell lasts at most 24 hours.

Castles & Crusades:

INVISIBILITY
Level 2 WIZARD, 2 ILLUSIONIST
CT 1
R touch
D special, see below
SV none
SR yes
Comp V, S, M

The recipient of this spell (and all of his or her gear) vanishes from all forms of natural sight, including special visions. Items dropped or put down by an invisible creature become visible; items picked up disappear if tucked into the clothing or pouches worn by the creature. Light, however, never becomes invisible, although a source of light can become so (thus, the effect is that of a light with no visible source). Any part of an item that the subject carries but that extends more than 10 feet from it becomes visible, such as a trailing rope. The spell ends if the subject attacks any creature. For purposes of this spell, attacks include any spell that can inflict damage upon or otherwise negatively impact a creature, or any similarly targeted action undertaken with a magical item, such as a wand, ring, or scroll. Note that spells specifically affecting allies but not foes are not attacked for this purpose, even when they include foes in their area. An eye wrapped in tar, clay or the like is the only component used for this spell.

5 comments

  1. Ironistahan tuossa kolmoslaitoksen yrityksessä kattaa kaikki mahdolliset tilanteet on se, että tuloksena oli vain netin täydeltä ylimääräistä sananselitystä, pitkä errata-lista ja tuhottomasti korjaamatta jääneitä pikkumokia, joita putkahtelee esiin vieläkin harva se viikko, kun puunailen suomennosta.

  2. Jaa… OD&D:n kuvaus on kuin suoraan jostain monistepumaskasta, ykköslaitoksessa rehottaa High Gygaxian, johon kyllästyy aika nopeasti, Moldvay ja Mentzer ovat veljiä keskenään ja ihan mukiinmeneviä, kolmoslaitokseen tuntuu kerätyn vastaukset kaikkiin lukijakysymyksiin 25 vuoden ajalta, ja loput ovat sitten kopioita tai lyhennelmiä kolmoslaitoksen tekstistä.

    Jäljelle jää Next, joka on minusta aika yliveto. Niin lyhyesti, ytimekkäästi ja yksinkertaisesti kirjoitettu, että takana täytyy olla ihan hemmetisti taitoa. Lisäksi kuvaus luottaa pelaajien vaistoihin ja maalaisjärkeen sen suhteen, miten näkymättömyyden “pitää” toimia. (Vrt. kolmoslaitoksen “becomes invisible, vanishing from sight” — OH REALLY.)

  3. Alan vähän kallistumaan tuon Nextin puoleen. Toisaalta kaipaan jostain syystä tarkennusta valon näkymiseen, mutta ehkä se ei ole tarpeen. Nextissä taian kestokin on ihan ok, varsinkin verrattuna 3.x:n. Toisaalta 1 tunti on luolastokoluamisessa (jos käytetään exploration movement -sääntöä) todella lyhyt aika, ja joidenkin laitosten 24 tuntia huomattavasti sadunomaisempi. Tässä vaiheessa varovaisesti Next 1 – Muut 0.

Leave a comment