Detect Invisibility: the stealthy latern?

[Lord Torath]

Detect Invisibility detects invisible, ethereal, astral, and out-of-phase objects, as well as "hidden or concealed creatures (e.g., thieves in shadows, halflings in underbrush, and so on)." So inside a light-less cavern, could not all creatures present be considered "hidden in shadows"?

Granted, you couldn't see anything non-living (unless it was Invisible, ethereal, astral, or out-of-phase), so you're quite likely to stumble over a stalagmite or a crevasse, and you can only see in a path 10' wide that's 30' long per level. This should also let you see creatures "hidden" in the shadows beyond the reach of your torchlight.

Or am I totally over-interpreting the power of the spell?

[LibraryOgre]

I think you're over-estimating the power of the spell. "Hidden in shadows" is different from "can't be seen 'cause it's dark"

[Yora]

Put on a blindfold. Now you've hidden everything from view. See ALL the things!

[Lurkmoar]

Put on a blindfold. Now you've hidden everything from view. See ALL the things!

*snort*

*stifles laughter*

*fails, bwhahahahas*

But seriously, even with a blindfold, I would rule you could only detect hidden things; ie invisible creatures, thieves skulking about in alleys or traps. Kinda like Daredevil, you'd be able to spot ninjas, but you'd still step into water puddles. Though I wonder if you would detect mimics, cloakers, lurkers and slimes on the ceiling. Eh, probably not. Hiding in plain sight is still hiding right? I'm going to go crack up my 2ed PHB now.

[Jay R]

If a player tried that in my game, I'd say, "That's a cute idea. But the intent of the spell is clear, and that isn't it. If you want to see in the dark, try infravision."