Lighting
Lighting Conditions
There are three lighting conditions in Blackbirds:
- Bright Light: daytime, in a direct source of light
- Fleeting Shadows: dawn, dusk, clear night skies, or nighttime interior with windows
- Vision-related Skill tests are made at -20
- Total Darkness: blinding light, moonless night, underground
- Vision-related Skill tests are made at -30
- Cannot give or gain the benefits of Assist dice
- Cannot be targeted unless Engaged
- Line of sight is broken
Light Sources
Every light source has an intensity level, ranging from dim rushlights to blazing bonfire. However, for every three light sources at the same level of intensity and within one another’s Fleeting Shadows, they bump the light intensity up by another level. So, three candles burning within 3 strides of one another emit the same light as a torch. Note that bearing a light source occupies one of the Blackbird’s hands, which may make the use of certain weapons and/or shields impossible.
| Intensity | Bright Light | Fleeting Shadows | Total Darkness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 strides | 6 to 9 strides | 10+ strides |
| 2 | 10 strides | 11 to 29 strides | 30+ strides |
| 3 | 15 strides | 15 to 39 strides | 40+ strides |
| 4 | 30 strides | 31 to 59 strides | 60+ strides |
| Light Source | Light Intensity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bonfire | 4 | 3 hours |
| Campfire | 3 | 9 hours |
| Candle | 1 | 1 hour |
| Lamp | 2 | 6 hours |
| Lantern | 3 | 6 hours |
| Rushlight | 1 | 15 minutes |
| Storm Lantern | 3 | 6 hours |
| Torch | 2 | 1 hour |
Wind
Bear in mind that wind can play havoc with small flames. Any light intensity 1 source not shielded from the wind will be extinguished by anything more than a slight breeze. More intense light sources are unaffected. Similarly, heavy rain or snow will have the same effect on light intensity 1 and 2 sources not sheltered from it. The Fateweaver has the final call on whether either of these conditions exist.