Harry Potter Inspired Spell

[Michael Morris]

Well, I have no problems with that mechanics-wise. Ten minutes is quite a long time to work on something that will presumably be used as a prank. I favor the one-minute casting time, myself.

The Maleroy's could have easily had ten minutes of time to waste in one of Lupin's lectures - it's not like they pay attention anyway.

Silly question: just how much information can be stored in this animation? With sufficiently small print and a fast shifting of the image, one square foot can display a terribly large amount of text even in a second, particularly if there's some means available of perceiving the image more slowly.

Now you're spoiling the spell by applying modern logic to it. Anyone familiar with animation knows you need around 24 fps to get life like animation. No, this spell doesn't allow you to have 24 seperate, unrelated images. Indeed, there's only one image and it happens to be animated by illusion magic. If dispelled only a single drawing would remain.

BTW, a prank is not the only use. For instance, say you have a complicated lock to defeat. You know how to do it, but only the rogue can reach it. Draw the rogue a diagram of what to do and animate it to make it very clear.

In any event, casting time really doesn't mean anything once you go to 1 minute and beyond because at that point it's clear the spell can't be used in combat.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

The Maleroy's could have easily had ten minutes of time to waste in one of Lupin's lectures - it's not like they pay attention anyway.

Ten minutes is a long time to carry out a delicate procedure without being disturbed.

BTW, a prank is not the only use. For instance, say you have a complicated lock to defeat. You know how to do it, but only the rogue can reach it. Draw the rogue a diagram of what to do and animate it to make it very clear.

Cheaper and easier to use Prestidigitation, I think.

In any event, casting time really doesn't mean anything once you go to 1 minute and beyond because at that point it's clear the spell can't be used in combat.

So if we made the casting time an hour, it wouldn't matter? I don't think so.

This spell isn't nearly as complicated, or as powerful, as the Symbol spells. I would therefore recommend leaving the casting time as one minute.

And why can't I create an animation of the picture breaking up into a page of text, then reforming? There needs to be some kind of limit on the information it can convey.

 

[Tuzenbach]

Am I the only one who feels that a permanent animation is a little much for a 0-level spell? I can think of no other cantrips/orisons that are permanent.

 

[Michael Morris]

Am I the only one who feels that a permanent animation is a little much for a 0-level spell? I can think of no other cantrips/orisons that are permanent.

Continual Flame, at 2nd, is the lowest level PHB permanent effect. Is this weaker? Yes. Considerably so. And I honestly don't think it merits 1st level status - it's too limited in scope.

 

[Crothian]

Bastion has a great free pdf call ink and quill. I don't know if it would help but it does have magic similiar to this in theme.

I like the idea of the spell.

 

[Tuzenbach]

Continual Flame, at 2nd, is the lowest level PHB permanent effect. Is this weaker? Yes. Considerably so. And I honestly don't think it merits 1st level status - it's too limited in scope.

If it were me (and let's face it, it's not!), I'd make the 0-level version remain for one day per caster level and have a 1st-level version for permanence. But hey, it's not my spell! I like it, though. Tell me, could a riddle be written on a scroll that literally "scrolls" across the scroll? Like a billboard advertisement only scroll-sized?

 

[Tuzenbach]

OK, why does that one guy's post keep getting deleted? Oh wait, it's none of my business........

 

[Michael Morris]

If it were me (and let's face it, it's not!), I'd make the 0-level version remain for one day per caster level and have a 1st-level version for permanence. But hey, it's not my spell! I like it, though. Tell me, could a riddle be written on a scroll that literally "scrolls" across the scroll? Like a billboard advertisement only scroll-sized?

That would be cute...

1 day per level actually wouldn't be a bad idea, even 1 hour / level - though I'd be tempted to allow color in that event.

 

[Tuzenbach]

OK, not to be pedantic, but............

This just hit me. To avoid having two applications regarding the whole "permanency" issue, how about this?

Caster Level:

0 or less=7 hours
1st=7 days
2nd=7 weeks
3rd=7 months
4th=7 years
5th or higher=permanent

I chose 7 arbitrarily. That, or because it's one of those "magic" numbers like 3 and such. Anyway, the point is that you needn't bother having two versions of the same spell for the sake of permanence if you make said variable contingent upon caster level. Again, it's your spell, not mine, so do as you choose.

 

[Tuzenbach]

BTW, it's obvious that you've had a lot more experience crafting spells than I. You appear to certainly possess the "gift of making". Thus, I do implore you to critique my own creation which is further down the page. I'll not figure out where I've gone wrong lest more persons respond. I've received merely two respondents thus far and am looking for more! Thanks in advance!