[RPG] cast Darkness on the imp familiar

dnd-5efamiliarsspellswarlock

This is actually a three-part question:

  1. As a level 5 Tiefling Pact of the Chain Warlock, can I cast my Darkness spell on my Imp familiar?

  2. If yes, once cast, would my Darkness spell be ended if my imp traveled 65 ft away from me?

  3. If you can cast Darkness on the imp, could you maintain concentration on Darkness while using the Imp's senses?

Best Answer

1: No, but you can use an object to carry the darkness.

The darkness spell targets a point in space or a point on an object that you are carrying or isn't being worn or carried, so an imp isn't a valid target.

But you could cast it on a pebble, then give the pebble to your imp and let it carry that, and you'd get the same net effect. The darkness moves with the object you've cast it on, so your imp can carry the object around and be surrounded by a cloud of darkness.

There is some disagreement about whether a darkness- or daylight-enchanted object can be moved by somebody other than the caster without messing up the spell, so you might want to check with your DM, but the general consensus (and my personal interpretation) is that the clause about the spell "moving with" the item it's cast on makes it clear that the intent of the spell was to create an item that somebody else can then carry around with them.

2: No, range only matters during the initial casting.

The rule here is found in the last line of the Range section of the Player's Handbook spellcasting rules (p.202-203):

Once a spell is cast, its effects aren't limited by its range, unless the spell's description says otherwise.

3: Yes, concentration only ends under specific circumstances.

Again, in the Player's Handbook spellcasting rules (p.203), it tells you specifically what ends concentration:

  • Casting another spell that requires concentration (even if you choose not to concentrate on the new spell)
  • Taking damage (if you fail a save)
  • Being incapacitated or killed
  • DM-selected environmental effects (if you fail a save)

And of course any other effect that specifically says it can cause casters to lose concentration.

Sharing senses is an action, but it isn't a spell and doesn't say it requires concentration, so it doesn't cause any difficulties.