D&D 5E How might this custom magic item be broken? Try to break my campaign.

[dpkress2]

I'm thinking of putting a magic item(s) in my game. They are modified sending stones, here are the differences:

1.They only work when you are one foot or less from each other.
2.They only work when you and any other individual is holding them.
3. They DO NOT grant comprehension
4.There are no charges. You can use them 24/7
5.There is LITERALLY an ENDLESS supply of them. They are just lying around on the ground. Anyone who wants one can just go outside and pick one up off the ground.

4 and 5 are obviously the potentially game breaking properties.

What ways can you think of that my players will use these to break my game?

GO!!!

(Edited for content)

 

[jgsugden]

They're cell phones with great recharging capabilities. They don't break the game, but they change it as everyone will have instantaneous abilities to talk. Ask your elders about the days when cell phones came into common use.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[dpkress2]

Do they at least play angry birds?

Well DUH, but I didn't think that would be an issue.

 

[Blue]

2.They only work when you and the "receiver" are holding them.

Can you elaborate on "receiver"? Can I make a 10 mile line of these where each one talks to the one a foot to the side and make a telephone line?

 

[thethain]

First: Sending stones are pairs. So I am assuming you are breaking this restriction and all are considered paired.

Second: Sending stones grant comprehension of your message to any creature with the stone with at least 1 Int (all creatures). So you now have a universal translator laying about in the world (Universal as even allows you to speak to cats and dogs). Also you have given everyone the ability to silently communicate with nearby creatures. As using an object to cast a spell eliminates all components of the spell (V,S,M) and the receiver hears it telepathically.

 

[dpkress2]

Can you elaborate on "receiver"? Can I make a 10 mile line of these where each one talks to the one a foot to the side and make a telephone line?

The receiver would be another individual. No, they will not function in a line. There needs to be a conscious mind on the other side.

First: Sending stones are pairs. So I am assuming you are breaking this restriction and all are considered paired.

Second: Sending stones grant comprehension of your message to any creature with the stone with at least 1 Int (all creatures). So you now have a universal translator laying about in the world (Universal as even allows you to speak to cats and dogs). Also you have given everyone the ability to silently communicate with nearby creatures. As using an object to cast a spell eliminates all components of the spell (V,S,M) and the receiver hears it telepathically.

Yes they are ALL considered paired.

I did not realize sending stones grant comprehension. This is helpful information thank you. I think I will eliminate that ability.

I do realize it gives everyone the ability to silently communicate. IF they are within 1 feet of each other. Another thing to factor is that everyone is aware of these stones and there function. This means that maybe, in this world, two people standing within one feet of each other is considered rude and is looked on with suspicion. Not to mention that they are so common, that everyone has one, and the entire social fabric of the world would be influenced by the ubiquitous(ness) of theses rocks.

Now that the function and general use has been established...I'm looking for specific ways that YOU as a player would use this item in clever ways to break my campaign.

I don't want to unleash a magic item, that ANYONE could just walk outside and find ANYWHERE, without considering all the ways the players will try to screw me with it. LOL.

 

[Eis]

not sure if it would be rude standing within one foot of someone else any more than general whispering would be considered rude

I could see lovers using these to communicate more intimately than speaking to one another and rulers using these with counselors to pass ideas back and forth during audiences etc

 

[Kurotowa]

One foot? That's like way up in someone's personal space. I mean, with 5 feet you could say they'd work from adjacent squares, which would let the melee PCs coordinate their teamwork better. But at 1 foot you're looking at a super niche item. The only clever use that springs to mind is using them to silently communicate through a wall, but even that requires very precisely prearranged spots to hold the stones.

 

[Tony Vargas]

5.There is LITERALLY an ENDLESS supply of them. They are just lying around on the ground. Anyone who wants one can just go outside and pick one up off the ground.

You can also use them to make soup.