ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

Well the players' light source still works underwater, right?

Not so much worried about it working, but about the necessity. Simlar to fish, they would probably have other means of detecting prey.

Just a small note, some fish have bioluminescence to attract prey. Sea devils have a bioluminescent lure stalk sticking up off their dorsal side, for example. Wouldn't be too hard to say some naga if not all naga have something like this, as a reason to give them lightsources.

_________________
Having satellite internet is a lot like relying on the processes described in those RFC's for your internet. Except, instead of needing to worry about statues interrupting your connection, this time you worry about the weather. I have satellite internet. Fun, no?

There's a lot of monster types that shouldn't have light sources. In fact I can't see many npcs actually emitting light. Which is probably why they don't. If I understand correctly they have an invisible light source mostly because light was the only means of vision in the earliest betas. Then heightened senses got introduced but most npcs aren't actually using it.

The player conversely is out of his habitat when underground. He's going into areas populated by creatures that live in these dark environments. As some examples of this...

Orcs and trolls would probably have some sort of darkvision.

Undead might have some sort of supernatural life sensing ability.

Naga living underwater would probably hunt using vibration and smell but might need light to navigate above water.

Animals wouldn't carry light sources and many of them would hunt with superiour night vision, sense of smell, hearing, or vibration detection. Some snakes even can sense heat emitted by living creatures.

Most underground creature types, oozes, slimes, jellies, worms, etc. would use smell and vibration detection.

Drakes should probably have similar senses to snakes above (and should probably be immune to blindness but their saves seem so high I don't know that it matters).

Giants should probably need a light source.


Point being...
The character should be the one adapting to the environment. I think the suggestions I posted earlier are good. Especially giving Dwarves and Undead some natural senses that don't give away their position.

For now though yes, Heightened Senses does work and just about every class has access to it (if not every class). Including the fighter that this thread is about. Though I'm not sure how far Heightened Senses actually lets you see with a typical non-rogues cunning, even at talent level 5.

_________________
Jack's Cheese and Bread Snack