Magic Candles for Low Level, Non-Instant Area Effect Spells
Several low-level area of effect spells can be made into great magical candles in much the same way that many low level spells that affect one person make good potions. However, the ranges, areas of effect and durations need some adjustment to turn them into viable magic items. In the classic fantasy role-playing game system, the Candle of Truth makes for a great template to create others magic candles.
The Candle of Truth‘s magic duration is elongated to match the candle’s. On the other hand the range & therefore area of effect is reduced drastically to 5′ radius from 25’. A candle’s normal range of light is neither: 20′ radius. Therefore it seems these are adjusted to be more practical or perhaps for theme.
With that in mind, here are 7 new magic candles:
Candle of Alarm
Aura faint enchantment; CL 4th
Slot none; Price 1,250 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.
A fat orange candle, when burned it creates an ward extending 20′ from the candle as the audible version of the alarm spell. The person who ignites the candle decides the password at that time. The effect lasts 8 hours, if the candle remains burning. If the candle is extinguished early, the effect is canceled and the candle ruined. Wind under 20mph can not blow it out.
Candle of Detect Magic
Aura faint enchantment; CL 1st
Slot none; Price 150 gp; Weight 1/10 lb.
A thin, small, blue candle, when burned magical auras glow in the 20′ area nearest the candle as the detect magic spell. All who can see the area can see the glowing effects, attempt to learn the school of magic and/or possibly identify an item’s properties. The effect lasts just one minute, if the candle remains burning. If the candle is extinguished early, the effect is canceled and the candle ruined.
Candle of Detect Poison
Aura faint enchantment; CL 1st
Slot none; Price 150 gp; Weight 1/10 lb.
A thin, small, red candle, when burned all who can see the 5′ radius area nearest the candle can see whether a creature, object, or area has been poisoned or is poisonous as the spell detect poison. The candle’s light causes the poisoned or poisonous object or creature to have a grayish tint. The strength of the poison is proportional to the darkness of the tint. The effect lasts just one minute, if the candle remains burning. If the candle is extinguished early, the effect is canceled and the candle ruined.
Candle of Detect Secret Doors
Aura faint enchantment; CL 1st
Slot none; Price 250 gp; Weight 1/10 lb.
A thin, small, black candle, when burned all who can see the 20′ radius area nearest the candle can detect secret doors as the spell. At first, the candle’s light creates a yellow glow from the candle toward the general direction of a secret door. If the secret door is within the area of effect for a second round, the secret door is also outlined with a yellowish glow. The effect lasts just one minute, if the candle remains burning. If the candle is extinguished early, the effect is canceled and the candle ruined.
Candle of Detect Undead
Aura faint enchantment; CL 1st
Slot none; Price 250 gp; Weight 1/10 lb.
A thin, small, white candle, when burned all who can see the 20′ radius area nearest the candle can detect undead, but observers will receive less information than the spell. At first, the candle’s light creates white glow from the candle toward the general direction of undead. If the undead is/are within the area of effect for a second round, the glow surrounds each undead creature. It is brighter if the creature is stronger. The effect lasts just one minute, if the candle remains burning. If the candle is extinguished early, the effect is canceled and the candle ruined.
Candle of Obscuring Mist
Aura faint enchantment; CL 1st
Slot none; Price 250 gp; Weight 1/10 lb.
This thick but short grey candle causes the 20′ radius area closest to the candle to be filled with smoke, similar to the spell obscuring mist. The effect lasts just one minute, if the candle remains burning. If the candle is extinguished early, the effect is canceled and the candle ruined.
Candle of Silent Image
Aura faint enchantment; CL 1st
Slot none; Price 250 gp; Weight 1/10 lb.
This thin short green candle causes an illusion to appear as the spell silent image. The illusion must be determined when the candle is created and must not be larger than a 10′ cube. The effect lasts one minute, if the candle remains burning. If the candle is extinguished early, the effect is canceled and the candle ruined.
Which other spells make for great candles? Fascinate, Fog Cloud, Obscure Object and See Invisibility are just a few!