Cantrip/Prestigitation brainstorm

[Andvari]

I'm brainstorming a bunch of different applications for minor magical effects. If anyone could assist in the brainstorming, I'd appreciate it. They should have some perceivable use and may be combat relevant if the effect is minor.

Here's a little list I have so far.

Awaken - Wake up a sleeping creature.
Bang - A loud noise emanates from another location.
Blunder - A creature suffers a penalty on their next action.
Clean - Tidy a small object.
Douse - Cause a nearby light source, like a torch to be put out.
Heat/Cool - Raise or lower the temperature of non-living material, such as for cooking.
Fireworks - Release a glimmer of sparks at a location
Flash - A bright flash of light, illuminating an area briefly or blinds a target momentarily.
Ignite - Cause a nearby light source, like a torch, to ignite.
Mark - Place a symbol on a surface or object.
Mend - Fix minor breaks in an objects. (like D&D's Mending spell)
Message - Send a telepathic message.
Minor Telekineses - Move an unattended object of limited size.
Time - Learn the current time of day.

 

[AnotherGuy]

Unravel - Loosen a knotted rope or string
Dictate - Cause a writing instrument to write as you dictate (this cantrip is not instantaneous like many others)
Wilt - Cause a small non-magical plant or small-sized branch of a tree to suddenly wither and wilt.
Breeze - Summon a small breeze within the area
Sunder - Break small non-magical objects

 

[Andvari]

Wilt - Cause a small non-magical plant or small-sized branch of a tree to suddenly wither and wilt.

 

[aco175]

Not sure if these are for D&D or another game, but some seem to copy other D&D cantrips from the wizard of other classes which may make it a bit overpowered to me.

Awaken - Wake up a sleeping creature.

Would this be enough to wake someone from the sleep spell? I can see it both ways. I'm more to say yes because you are casting a spell using your action which is about the same as actually shaking someone.

Flash - A bright flash of light, illuminating an area briefly or blinds a target momentarily.

The light cleric has a power that does this and makes the target reroll the last attack with only a limited amount of uses.

Blunder - A creature suffers a penalty on their next action.

I think a bards ability does this.

Mend - Fix minor breaks in an objects. (like D&D's Mending spell)

You mention the mending spell. I might let this go on smaller items like a button or shoestring. Not sure on larger things like a vase.

Minor Telekineses - Move an unattended object of limited size.

Again this mostly copies mage hand so I'm not sure how far I would want to go with it. I would allow it to push something like a mug of ale off a table or to slide a coin, but limit the amount of manipulating.


I think more traditional things prestidigitation was used for was to sweep and mop or to flip pages in the book (maybe falling into the minor telekinesis). Maybe illuminate a page or move the light closer to be able to read something. I have included some things such as having a painting or stuffed animal's eyes follow someone or change the color of a cloak for a limited time. I have allowed it to make an invisible umbrella for the rain and to create a barrier to keep non-HP damaging bugs away. They are all small things that cannot do much in combat directly, although putting out a torch may change combat.

 

[Andvari]

Not sure if these are for D&D or another game, but some seem to copy other D&D cantrips from the wizard of other classes which may make it a bit overpowered to me.

It's a system agnostic brain storm. You can give examples from a specific system you like or come up with your own ideas. The descriptions are intentionally vague for this reason.

 

[AnotherGuy]

It's a system agnostic brain storm. You can give examples from a specific system you like or come up with your own ideas. The descriptions are intentionally vague for this reason.

Yeah that's what I thought you were going for. The Heat/Cool was the big give-away (Heat Metal). I figured you knew what you were doing.

Which means that cantrip list can really mushroom.

 

[John Dallman]

. . . that cantrip list can really mushroom.

Mushroom: Lets you grow up to one square foot of normal fungi in an hour. Handy when short of breakfast.

 

[Celebrim]

You are almost better listing what you don't think a 'cantrip' like effect should be able to do, and then just allow everything else.

 

[rgoodbb]

I did this one a while back for a D&D Viking campaign

RAVENCALL

Transmutation Cantrip

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 30 feet

Duration: up to 1 hour



You use your primal and runic magic to conjure up one of the minor effects within range;

• You make the light slightly darker or overcast.
• You lower the temperature of the immediate area surrounding you but not to the detriment of anyone’s health.
• You conjure a small flow of ground mist (10x10 or 20x5) and make it stay or flow in a direction of your choosing. This does not travel higher than ankle level.
• You drastically augment the noises of ground grubs and other nearby insects.
• You conjure sounds of crows or ravens crying or echoing in the distance or nearby or above.
• You clean off or poor on blood over an area no larger than 1 cubic foot.
• You instantly change your or a willing creatures’ head hair; growing or removing a beard, shaving the head clean or partially or fully lengthening the hair to a long ponytail. You can even change the colour of the hair.

If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action.

 

[GMMichael]

Dishes: clean one sink-full.
Sparkle: remove all plaque from your teeth.
Slipper: prevent foot discomfort.
Earmuffs: keep ears warm, or reduce the sound of nagging.