New Spell: Color

[MarauderX]

Comments?

Color

Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close (10 ft. + 5 ft./level)
Target: Solid area within sight, 10 sqft. per level
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: Will negates, if applicable
Spell Resistance: Yes

The color spell allows the caster to permanently paint a solid surface
anyway that the caster wishes. The amount of detail depends on the amount
of time the caster spends concentrating on the spell. To create an arrow on
a wall would take one action while recreating a scenic map on a wall could
take as long as one day to complete. Creating detailed portraits can take
even longer, such as to depict a specific person or creature. Crude writing
may be added, but any who attempt to read it must make a decipher script
check at DC 10 to understand what was written, and then only if they can
read the language written.
Once the caster is finished coloring the spell ends and the image created is
permanent, but can be washed away by a strong rain or intentionally dousing
the creation with water. The image may be altered using another color spell
to continue adding to the work or distorting the previous color spell
without any perceivable indications that it had been altered. Once the
color spell is completed it cannot be removed by magic.
Magical structures or other enhanced areas such as holy grounds may make a
save against the spell at DC plus the caster's level.
The number of colors that can be used to create the image is dependant upon
the components supplied at the time the spell is cast. For each color to be
used, at least 10 gp worth of material with that color must be present.

 

[Khorod]

I suggest requiring craft[scribe] and craft[painter] checks for anything more complex than stick-figures and block text.

 

[Ferret]

It should be instanation-thing and either conjurureation or transmu.

 

[Michael Morris]

Comments?

Color

Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Close (10 ft. + 5 ft./level)
Target: Solid area within sight, 10 sqft. per level
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: Will negates, if applicable
Spell Resistance: Yes

The color spell allows the caster to permanently paint a solid surface
anyway that the caster wishes. The amount of detail depends on the amount
of time the caster spends concentrating on the spell. To create an arrow on
a wall would take one action while recreating a scenic map on a wall could
take as long as one day to complete. Creating detailed portraits can take
even longer, such as to depict a specific person or creature. Crude writing
may be added, but any who attempt to read it must make a decipher script
check at DC 10 to understand what was written, and then only if they can
read the language written.
Once the caster is finished coloring the spell ends and the image created is
permanent, but can be washed away by a strong rain or intentionally dousing
the creation with water. The image may be altered using another color spell
to continue adding to the work or distorting the previous color spell
without any perceivable indications that it had been altered. Once the
color spell is completed it cannot be removed by magic.
Magical structures or other enhanced areas such as holy grounds may make a
save against the spell at DC plus the caster's level.
The number of colors that can be used to create the image is dependant upon
the components supplied at the time the spell is cast. For each color to be
used, at least 10 gp worth of material with that color must be present.

Exactly what does this spell accomplish that an artisan with some time and paing cannot? The spell doesn't save time, money, nothing. It's not even fit to be a cantrip.

 

[MarauderX]

Exactly what does this spell accomplish that an artisan with some time and paing cannot? The spell doesn't save time, money, nothing. It's not even fit to be a cantrip.

Because it doesn't do damage means it's not useful?

So how many times has an adventuring party been lost in the dark corridors of a dungeon, and separated from comrads? This spell would be useful for creating writing, maps, etc by a wizard to relay general information, usually about the area it is in. It is permanent until washed off, and how many waterskins do PCs tend to carry into dungeons these days?

The original thought was to use it for creating maps on parchment similiar to latex paint. I like the idea of the craft checks to be able to correctly convey what the caster wants on the object. Color codes could be used as well to mean different things, or nothing at all -- perhaps the necromancer likes his lab with neon-yellow walls and white floors so he can more easily spot his silent undead as they lurk around aimlessly.

Also think of the urban setting, where a wizard can display his artistic prowess and make a modest income coloring the inside of a inn in an instant with none of the mess or time by using the artisan.

Is it worth a cantrip now?

 

[Michael Morris]

To be honest - no. A spell should do something better or faster or cheaper than can be done by hand - if it can be done by hand. Now, if the spell had no material components whatsoever it might be worth a cantrip. Impromtu Map? Gimme a phantasmal force - heck a T'D'lusion cantrip from Unearthed Arcana in 1e is stronger than this.

 

[MarauderX]

Good points. I think you are right about the material components - i will axe them.


Rebuttal #2:
Cartography. Think maps. The wizard and/or cleric is often the PC with the map, writing down where they have gone, where battles occured, important items, etc. and usually a wizard PC has the memory to recall it enough to write it all down the next day on some parchment within 5 minutes. Also think of the rogue-wizard which can lay out plans of a castle in the chamber walls where they spent the night so they can plan an attack the next day.

I thought at first it might be worth a 1st level as one of my friends suggested it could also be used to create wanted posters or to identify in detail what a caster saw to share with the local monster slayer. Phantasm covers that I suppose.

For the writing or quick drawings, the equivalent legibility would be writing in the sand, typically at one sentence per action. Spending a whole day on a drawing would be for a mural of some magnitude depicting a scene or other image with great detail.

The spell does do something faster and at a small distance for the caster (not having to levitate a painter up to the 30' ceiling), again a reference to the necromancer who does want a local artisan crew to enter his private labs with the chance to muck something up.

Keep it coming, some great observations so far, and I think the spell needs to exist on some level so I will keep fighting for it.

 

[Khorod]

Question- I presume the Will save mentioned is for trying to write on a living being?

Writing: The caster should just make a craft[scribe] check, basic lettering is DC 10, fancier 15, truly ornate 20. If this guy can get a nice image of a dragon, the alphabet is not going to be hard.

Material Cost: Too expensive. Might I suggest the cost is three braided sticks of clay, each infused with a prime color? Between quality of material and creation, that is easily a few gp & finding a specialist (or two). I really don't think massive amounts of gold are necessary here, either for the power of the spell or the flavor.

Area of Effect: Another good idea- have crude 'color' for 10 ft per level. This is solid colors, large geometric shapes, patterns of lines and dots, etc. For 5 ft per level you can have multiple colors, complex shapes (polygons, combined triangles, etc). For 1 ft per level you can have basic writing, the drawing of a talented child. And for 1 inch per level, with a successful skill check, you can do anything a talented artist or scribe can do.

(On that last one, a 5th level mage with a few ranks of painting and scribing could make a Wand of Color and get a masterpiece out in a day. Maybe 1 inch is too small.)

 

[Khaalis]

Just as an odd side note...

I would allow this to be used as a combat spell as well.

Reflex (Special)

If the save is made they are missed by but suffer as if "dazed" for 1 round. If they fail they are blinded for 1d4 rounds.

This spell could also be used against living targets as a tracer spell.

Wizard to City Guard "I hit the thugs that attacked us with a Color spell. They are all covered in Pink paint - easy to track them."

Just a few off-handed thoughts.