LIGHT SOURCES IN THE DUNGEON AND NEW ITEM: THE CANDLE

Candles are a common item found in the castle, and I have not found AD&D rules for them, although I would not be surprised if there is something that I missed. However, since I have placed candles I thought I might as well give a rule for them. Since I have not given lengths for each candle that can be found in the castle, you can assume each will be between 7 and 12 inches long (d6+6). In some places I may specify the particular lengths of each candle.  The candles are wax, not tallow, unless mentioned otherwise.  Here is the new item entry.

NEW ITEM:  CANDLE

Candles give good illumination to 5', and a normal wax candle will last for 3 turns (one half hour) for each inch in height. Special candles can be made to burn at a very controlled rate, acting as time-keepers.

Since I went ahead and talked about something as mundane as a candle, I might as well add content.  I went through the Players Handbook and Dungeon Master's Guide and found the common (and uncommon) light sources available to players.  Here is a table:

Light Source	Radius of Illumination	Duration	Cost
Candle, tallow	5'	3 turns/inch	1 cp
Candle, wax	5'	3 turns/inch	1 sp
Lantern, bullseye	80'**	24 turns*	12 gp
Lantern, hooded	30'	24 turns*	7 gp
Torch	40'	6 turns	1 cp
Magic dagger	10'	infinite
Magic short sword	15'	infinite
Magic long sword	20'	infinite
Magic broad sword	20'	infinite
Magic bastard sword	25'	infinite
Magic two-handed sword	30'	infinite
Flame tongue sword	40'	on request
Cleric Spell
Continual Light	120'	infinite
Light	20'	6 turns +1 turn/level
Druid Spell
Produce Flame	40'	2 rounds/level
Magic User/Illusionist Spell
Continual Light	60'	infinite
Light	20'	1 turn/level

*Illumination for a hooded or bullseye lantern is from burning 1 pot (pint) of fine oil.

** Illumination for a bullseye lantern is 1” wide only and can be masked by shutter

Here are some prices for equipment associated with light sources:

Oil, flask of 1 gp

Tinder box, with flint& steel 1 gp