Hand of darkness

Hand of darkness was a spell designed to negate light.

Effects
On casting, hand of darkness deprived light sources within 30 feet (9.1 meters) of a designated spot of their ability to shed light and only of that. For example, if the light source happened to be a torch, the torch stopped shedding light under the spell, but continued to emit heat and burn its fuel.

Bringing light into the area under a hand of darkness spell, for example by conjuring it up with a light or similar spell or by more mundane means, caused it to be instantly negated.

The spell could be prematurely ended with a dispel magic spell. However, the abjuration would also dispel any magical light source in the area, in the case of continual magical light sources, such as a glowing magical sword, the abjuration would not destroy but merely temporarily suppress the light-shedding effect.

Components
Hand of darkness required somatic, verbal, and material components in the form of a piece of coal, or handful of ash, a small black glass- or stone-sphere, and a scrap of black cloth, fur, or hide.

History
Strong light was uncomfortable for drow and inhibited their ability to concentrate. Hand of darkness was used by them to combat this prlblem as it shut out but not their ability to use their infravision.