Greetings; Cloud Generator

Greetings, all. I'm new to the list, but have been playing Spelljammer for
some time. I've come up with the following item, and would like feedback on
it.

Cloud Generator

This device looks like a metal tripod, consisting of a 3 foot diameter ring,
with three legs descending from it at regular intervals. It stands 3 feet
tall, and midway between the legs, on the inside of the ring, are set three
pearls. When in operation, the three pearls each emit a ray of light, which
meet at the center. Around this meeting point forms a roiling cloud,
spreading out further to the sides than up and down. Occasional flashes of
lightning can be seen within. It is activated by speaking a command word
over it, which is usually inscribed around the ring in magic runes. The
cloud generator only functions when installed on a spelljamming ship of 5
tons or more (no known maximum).

When activated, the generator causes clouds to form around the spelljamming
ship. In wildspace, these clouds cannot escape the air envelope, and serve
to conceal the ship. Any enemies attacking get a -2 to their attack rolls,
and cannot attempt to target a certain part of the ship, or a person.
However, without magical help, weapons crews on the generator's ship get a
-4 to hit their enemies, as if they were blind (which they effectively are).
Visibility on deck is reduced to 30 feet, though the helmsman's "vision" is
unimpaired. Note, however, that encasing the ship in a fluffy white cloud
makes it very easy to notice, if not hit.

In atmosphere, on the other hand, the cloud is not confined to an air
envelope. Instead, it forms a natural-seeming shape centered on the ship.
With close observation, a person can determine that the cloud always
conceals a specific area, and if the helmsman isn't careful, they could
become suspicious of fast-moving clouds going against the wind. However,
with a bit of practice, this can be a wonderful way of not panicking any
local groundlings, or of camouflaging an attack force. And even if they know
there is a ship in the middle of the cloud, any hostile forces still get the
penalties to hit.

Originally developed by the IEN, the cloud generator is now primarily sold
by the Arcane (surprise, surprise). It is not widely known, but is gaining
popularity, especially with lone traveling mages, who don't have weapons
crews anyway, and with illithids, who enjoy the shade it provides, allowing
them to use more open-decked ships.


Comments are welcome. Thanks.



--
Sin lies only in hurting other people unnecessarily. All other "sins" are
invented nonsense. (Hurting yourself is not sinful -- just stupid.)
                       -- Lazarus Long


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