Blindness (condition)

Blindness describes the total loss of light perception, whether arising from magical or chemical inducement, injury to the eyes, the imposition of a curse or the effects of disease. Characters enveloped in complete darkness are likewise considered blind, though in this case the condition is imposed externally rather than suffered intrinsically.

In most cases, blindness may be remedied with time and appropriate means, such as the spell cure blindness (which may also be used to inflict the condition) or — if there are no eyes to be cured — by application of regeneration. Blindness resulting from a curse is not so easily resolved, typically requiring the subject to satisfy the terms of the affliction; in some instances, a remove curse may be sufficient, though this is not assured. Circumstances may prevent access to any such remedies, obliging a character to endure blindness for an extended period.

Despite this, blindness does not render a character incapable. With adjustment, reliance upon other senses and the development of compensating habits, a blind character may continue to act effectively within the world, and some may choose to adopt the condition as a defining aspect of play.

Adjusting to Blindness

Initially, those struck blind or plunged into darkness are severely disabled. In combat, they suffer a –8 penalty to hit and are hindered in nearly every practical action, including orienting themselves, recognising companions or managing basic tasks such as dressing or eating. During the first weeks, most blind characters require constant assistance, typically from a designated helper who arranges clothing, prepares food and guides their movements. An adventurer deprived of sight will almost certainly need to employ a full-time attendant, as unfamiliar environments and encounters with strangers present continual hazards.

With time, however, adaptation occurs. Within two months, a blind character may learn to manage personal needs independently and to move about with the aid of a guide or through practiced methods. A blind druid may rely upon animal friends for direction and awareness, while others may benefit from similar assistance where such aid is available.

As the condition persists, the character's remaining senses become increasingly acute. For each month of continued blindness, the penalty to hit is reduced by 1 point, reflecting this growing adaptation. This improvement continues until the penalty is reduced to –4, beyond which no further adjustment is gained.

Sage Abilities

Heightened senses is a sage study that sharpens a character's awareness of movement and presence, while also strengthening the practical use of the character's remaining senses. Though most commonly pursued by assassins and thieves, the study is equally applicable to a blind character, who may undertake sustained instruction to acquire one or more of its associated abilities, regardless of class.

Through such training, a blind character may compensate for the loss of sight in functional ways. An illusionist or mage may learn to judge position and distance well enough to employ area effects with reliability, while a fighter may combine increasing levels with puissance to remain dangerous in close engagement.

Blindness places the burden of adaptation upon the character, requiring deliberate problem-solving and the cultivation of specific proficiencies. While such a character is unlikely to equal the full effectiveness of their sighted counterpart, the development of heightened senses and specialised methods of action offers other advantages that may, in particular circumstances, offset the limitation.

Benefits to Blindness

Blind characters possess a distinct advantage when facing opponents who are suddenly deprived of sight, whether through magical means or immersion in absolute darkness. Accustomed to operating without vision, they do not suffer the same disorientation or hesitation. A blind spellcaster may therefore benefit from favouring spells that deny sight, such as darkness or fog cloud, turning what is ordinarily a hindrance into a controlled condition. While many characters rely upon infravision or ultravision in subterranean or low-light environments, a blind character remains unaffected by the absence of light altogether, and may employ tactics that negate these visual advantages.

There is also a social and psychological aspect to the condition. Visible blindness invites underestimation; others may assume incapacity, inattentiveness or dependence. A character may choose to emphasise this perception, whether by concealing the eyes with cloth or leaving evident the damage that has caused the condition. Such appearances may draw sympathy, lower suspicion or encourage others to speak freely. If the character then acts decisively and strikes, the likelihood of surprise may be increased to 3 in 6.

Further advantages depend upon the player's willingness to explore the condition in play. The Dungeon Master should allow for reasonable interpretations of adaptation and ingenuity, recognising that blindness alters the terms of engagement rather than simply diminishing the character's effectiveness.

See The Adventure