Candles (EM)

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During pre-industrial times, fire was the only source of illumination for people’s homes after the sun went down. Torches and oil lamps were commonly used to light large rooms, while candles served as small, portable sources of light for reading or lighting one’s way to bed. Candles also figured in many religious services as either part of the altar ornamentation or as an aid to prayer and meditation.
Early candles, also known as rushlights, consisted of animal fats wrapped in rushes, husks, or moss, then set alight. Later candles were made of tallow obtained from animal fats or, in the Orient, from the seeds of the tallow tree.
Wicks for the candle were also introduced and were made of cloth strips or woven cord. Tallow candles are very cheap compared to wax candles, and this is reflected in the equipment list in the PHB. These candles burn more quickly and produce a fair bit of smoke, however. Wax candles are used for making magical candles, and there are several sources of wax for making enchanted tapers.
Wizards use white candles made from spermaceti, a waxy material obtained from sperm whales and small and large bottle-nosed whales. Priestly magical candles are made of beeswax taken from either the regular or giant species of bee: the wax produced is dark yellow in color. Druids use candles made from the wax obtained from the bayberry, an evergreen shrub whose berries are covered with a waxy coating. A bushel of berries yields about four to five pounds of a pleasant smelling, green wax.
Only the purest grade of wax is used in making magical candles. That and the cost of the scent that must be added to the wax in its liquid state (acting as a bond between the wax and the special ingredients used to impart magical properties), vastly increase the cost of a wax candle specially ordered by a spellcaster from a candlemaker. Candles may be purchased ready made from a candlemaker who will also, for an additional charge, add whatever incense, perfume, oils, or herbs are required to prepare the candle for enchantment. A wizard may hire an alchemist to prepare the candle and add whatever special ingredient is required. Priests and druids may be able to find a member of their order who is skilled in candle making to perform the task. To lessen the chance of spell failure when enchanting the candle or investment when the finished candle is placed upon the altar, the spellcaster should make the candle himself.
There are two methods of candle making-molding and dipping. A candle mold is the simplest method. Molds should be made of either pure silver or the bone of a creature of magic such as a dragon. Wicks of woven silk cord are placed in the molds, and the molten wax, with its scents and magical ingredients already mixed in, is poured into the molds and allowed to cool. During the procedure, the spellcaster chants or prays. After the candles have cooled, the usual process for enchanting an item may begin.
Dipping takes longer, but reduces the chance of spell failure during enchantment, since the spellcaster can more easily prevent imperfections like cracks or air bubbles from forming in the candle. While chanting or praying, the spellcaster repeatedly dips the wicks into hot wax heated in a crystal vat, allowing each coating of wax to cool and harden before redipping. Once finished, the candles are ready for enchantment. If the spell caster uses candles prepared by a candlemaker, the chance of spell failure increases by +20. Magical candles usually come in two sizes-small ones about 3 inches long and the thickness of a very small twig, and regular tapers 8 to 12 inches long and 1/2 to 1 inch thick. The large taper, as stated in the DMG description of the candle of invocation, burns for four hours and can be extinguished by normal means for later reuse. The smaller candle burns for 10 minutes: its spell effects, like the larger candles, cease once it is extinguished.
Candle powers are effective within a 25’ radius of the candle. Unless specifically stated, all beings within the area of influence, except the person who lit the candle and those who enter the area of effect later, are affected by the spell. Normal saving throws apply unless stated otherwise or unless the spell effect is similar to known spells. Except where noted, all candles may be snuffed out by normal means. From 1d6 small candles or 1d2 large candles may be found in a treasure cache: they may be all of a kind (50%) or a mixed assortment chosen by the DM.
In a hoard, 80% of the candles will be small. Experience point (XP) values listed are per candle, for both small and large varieties. No experience is gained from using cursed candles. For every three days spent in making these candles, they will burn for one turn, up to a maximum of 10 turns (for a candle which took 30 days to make). The magic of these candles takes effect when the candle is snuffed out, or burns down to nothing at the end of its duration. These candles must be burned in the presence of their intended victims in order to work.
==Magic Candle List==
* Black Candle (Magic Candle)
* Blinking Candle (Magic Candle)
* Blue Candle (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Brilliance (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Charming (Magic Candle)
* Convocation Candle (Magic Candle)
* Darkness Candle (Magic Candle)
* Defense Candle (Magic Candle)
* Disruption Candle (Magic Candle)
* Divination Candle (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Everburning (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Evocation (Magic Candle)
* Exploding Candle (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Fireballs (Magic Candle)
* Flame Candle (Magic Candle)
* Flame Arrow Candle (Magic Candle)
* Flame Blade Candle (Magic Candle)
* Gold Candle (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Invocation (Magic Candle)
* Methven Candle (Magic Candle)
* Noora's Candle of Propitiousness (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Powerlessness (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Propitiousness (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Protection (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Protection II (Magic Candle)
* Purple Candle (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Pyrotechnics (Magic Candle)
* Red Candle (Magic Candle)
* Reflection Candle (Magic Candle)
* Sanctuary Candle (Magic Candle)
* Shielding Candle (Magic Candle)
* Smoke Detection Candle (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Spells (Magic Candle)
* Survival Candle (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Transference (Magic Candle)
* Unfailing Light Candle (Magic Candle)
* Candle of Vapors (Magic Candle)
* Visibility Candle (Magic Candle)
* Yellow Candle (Magic Candle)
Category:Encyclopedia Magica