Hello everybody.
I fancied trying continual flame with my sorc, but everything I try and cast it on I get a 'this object is not valid for that spell' type message. I have tried equiping the item, putting it in my inventory, dropping it on the ground, magic items, non magic items, weapons, clothing etc... nothing seems to work. Either I am being very dumb, or missing a trick here, but hows it meant to work?
I have the OC and SOU installed.

I just want some equipped item to burn brightly forever..... (I'm scared of the dark)

Thanks

Hm, mostly I use it with the inventory open, and cast the spell on the desired item through the radial menu, or off the scroll. I've gotten that message by trying to just cast it on my char though.

Nope, tried that, still no joy. even tried casting it on my boots. Does it change the description of the object once cast?

Yes - normally I do this the same way as robertthebard. No problem so far with the items I used. But I can´t remember exactly which items I used this spell on.
But that shouldn´t be an issue too hard. There are items (rings, necklaces, helmets etc.) aplenty which already shed light.

Yes, it will change the description of the item cast upon as well. You should be able to cast it on any item you can equip. In fact, I've been known to cast it on items in my inventory, to increase their sale value. Not sure where your problem is, but it should work. Try right clicking on the item, and selecting the spell from the radial menu on the item.

CL can be cast on any item type that can be equipped, or on yourself (in which case it functions as an improved Light spell).
The item description changes to include the Bright White Light property.
My first thoughts to your problem would be that a) you don't have one of the latest patches. or b) you're playing a module where rules for CL spells are altered.

Because they increase item value, as Robert mentioned, and because spells are cheap, they tend to unbalance economies when players, say, buy an item, cast CL on it and sell it back to the store again with a profit. That's a reason for some to decrease the spell's power.

Can you tell us what you're playing, and using which version at that?

[ 02-01-2006, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: Legolas ]

I am only playing a single player game, but it the same in SOU and the OC. it is version 1.66.8074.

Thanks for helping

Stange; I use it too and have had no trouble. I do the same, open the inventory and cast it on an item I have equipped which I know I'll be wearing for a while.

Ok, this might sound really stupid, but what is continual flame? I remember coming across this before but can't recall what exactly it is. Mainly because I never gave much importance to various "light" spells and items.

Only played the OC so far. Is it something from outside the OC?

Likewise, I ran a test and cast it in the OC, and despite us having the same version I can only manage to conjure up the 'not valid' messasge if I try really hard to find impossible constructions.
Equippable items in your inventory and items you have equipped currently should all be valid targets for the spell, even if they have light properties already.

ZFR, the CF spell gives items it is cast on a permanent Light property, of Bright intensity and White colour. It's a SoU spell, but can be cast in most any campaign including the OC. The property means it illuminates a 20' area around the character when and for as long as the item is equipped, kind of like carrying a more powerful torch. Illumination doesn't stack though, so having multiple items does no good other than to increase their market value.

EDIT: I should probably add that, when Item Level Restrictions are activated, casting the spell on an item can just make the difference between your being able to use it now, and having to wait another level.

[ 02-02-2006, 07:33 AM: Message edited by: Legolas ]

Yeah, something like that is always fun. We have a crafting system implemented on my home server, and I crafted my rogue right out of his UMD score on a pretty good weapon, by not paying attention...

Ah well, maybe its a bug with my setup or soemthing, I seem to be doing the same as everyone else. I have HOTU arriving soon so maybe that will fix it... hopefully.

Thanks for helping everyone, i'll just carry a torch for a little while longer.

Doesn't seem to work for me either, although I haven't tried the "right click the item" to start as an approach, maybe that will do it. Otherwise I was also getting the "not a valid object" type errors (was trying a fun little Halfling Cleric/Rogue in that game, with Expertise he was quite tough to hit).

Finally got it working! Had to install Hordes of the Underdark. Still makes no sense, but at least I have nice glowing armour now. :)

I have another question related to that though... does it mess up your stealth skills, I mean logically it should be hard to hide when glowing.... does the game take that into account?

While it seems that it should, it really doesn't, which I think is more of a flaw than anything else.

Are you sure? I think stealth skills are dependent on the light present, regardless whether the source of light is you or something outside. So carrying a torch or glowing item should affect it. I might be wrong here though...

In actual experience, online playing, I've had chars slip up to me unnoticed in stealth mode, when I didn't have true seeing. When they came out of stealth, you could see the light on the armor/accessory, but before, you couldn't. The best test online is when it's dark outside, or when you are in a dark room.

True, but that doesn't confirm or deny that it's easier to spot sneakers with a light source active. A penalty to the sneak skills or a bonus to the detection skills of the other party might be applied without your seeing it. The same holds true for area -specific bonusses on detection, and the Dodge feat AC bonus.
I know that a lightsource was intended to make hiding a touch harder unless it was (iirc) a dim light. Because it'd be a minor penalty (something in the order of -2) and the stealth detection rolls are hidden, I can't say for a fact they're properly implemented though.