D&D "Telephone"

[Hypersmurf]

Each castle would require two sets of Ring Gates for two-way communication. One of each set would link to it's twin between a central "operations room" which was always manned and a castle communications room and vice-versa.

You don't need two sets for vice-versa. Each ring has an entry side and an exit side. Each castle has one ring, the operations room has the matching ring of every pair.

The castle can both send and receive to and from the operations room via one ring stored at the castle.

-Hyp.

 

[Gilrion]

There are good options so far. If you're looking for prices of sending items, the web enhancement to Silver Marshes had a stone of sending or somesuch. I think it was 1/day sending between possessors of the stones (it was a pair).
Another option, although more expensive, has more uses. Rary's Telepathic Bond allows mental communication between subjects. Given the spell's description, a wish can make one permanent. In light of this, an item allowing this may be somewhat unbalancing. The amount of communication is not limited by volume or distance.
Even another choice is a simple figurine of wondrous power: silver raven. If the travel time between castles is more than 24 hours it will not work, though.
Alternatively, you could use animal messenger and keep birds as suggested previously. It is a 2nd level spell, and probably the cheapest option, since it will function for 3 days at minimum caster level. Not instantaneous, though.

Hope it helps.

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Even another choice is a simple figurine of wondrous power: silver raven. If the travel time between castles is more than 24 hours it will not work, though.

Hope it helps.

It does! We have a silver raven, though we rarely use it. Someone help me with the math though... how far can it fly in 24 hrs?

 

[kreynolds]

how far can it fly in 24 hrs?

96 miles. (If it doesn't need to rest).

 

[Aloïsius]

I like the dream spell. In case of elergency, it may be a bit too slow, however.

 

[Azure Trance]

I'd advocate a method that seems more natural; while ring gates or similar portals might be the best choice overall, (magically enhanced?) carrier pigeons sounds like the best and still keeping the medieval mood. Silver raven figurine is great, although it's a pity you only have one.

Either that, or one of your wizards can discover electricity and make telegraph lines. Beep BEEP Beep.

 

[Zhure]

Permanency on Teleport Circle, 1500 XP (doing this from memory) per circle. Make one castle a central point, and then have linked pairs to all other castles.

Total number of permanent circles needed = (castles-1)x2
Greg

 

[zero skill LPB]

Ring Gates are cool! Take the Ring Gates!

We played a tournament-style module series over XMAS break and my 11th level Sorcerer, on a random roll, got Ring Gates as his primary item. At first I was like, "booooring", but boy-howdy was I wrong. Having my familiar fly around with a one Ring while I was reaching through t'other brought into being many Cool Moments. Magic items that present Cool Moments = good, no?

And consider this: with a well cast Reduce spell or three, man, you've got like a bajillion more options for fittin' stuff through!

 

[Celtavian]

Re

Are you high enough level to permanency multiple Rary's Telepathic Bond? Do you have the xp to cast that many wishes?

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Well, my Wiz is only 11th level right now... but we're about to do City of the Spider Queen. When we come out, I hope to be a much higher level (if I make it).

But I don't like the other characters enough to cast 3 or 4 wishes just to keep in touch with them. We were looking for something pretty simple, or without too much of a high XP cost.

I like the idea of a Statue of Sending. Touch the statue, and cast a Sending spell.