NPC: Use this if you have need of me.

[Ambrus]

The friendly NPC who offers to help the PCs out one time when mystically called upon seems to be a recurring plot element in a fair number of campaigns. I'm just curious, what's the best 3.5 device to enable this? Is there some single-use magic item or enspelled token an NPC can give a PC which they could later use to call the NPC to their presence, a la teleport or plane shift? I'm thinking of having an NPC offer such a device to a PC. I could easily invent one, but it seems it should already exist somewhere.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Refuge is the most obvious. But, you can use interplanar message or sending as a basis for an item to send a message. Or, use refuge as a basis for some other custom item.

 

[Ambrus]

Ah, indeed Refuge does the trick. I hadn't noticed the second option of the spell when I first read it. Silly me.

Thanks Infiniti.

 

[Iku Rex]

Bracelet of Friends

Bracelet of Friends

This silver charm bracelet has four charms upon it when created. The owner may designate one person known to him to be keyed to one charm. (This designation takes a standard action, but once done it lasts forever or until changed.) When a charm is grasped and the name of the keyed individual is spoken, that person is called to the spot (a standard action) along with his or her gear, as long as the owner and the called person are on the same plane. The keyed individual knows who is calling, and the bracelet of friends only functions on willing travelers. Once a charm is activated, it disappears. Charms separated from the bracelet are worthless. A bracelet found with fewer than four charms is worth 25% less for each missing charm.

Strong conjuration; CL 15th; Craft Wondrous Item, refuge; Price 19,000 gp.

 

[cmanos]

Deus ex Machina. Your the DM, you don't need to have rules to describe what youa re doing. It just happens. If you want the person to look in a mirror and say "Candyman, Candyman, Candyman." there you have it. No need to make a magical mirror with the command word "Candyman".

 

[KarinsDad]

Ah, indeed Refuge does the trick. I hadn't noticed the second option of the spell when I first read it. Silly me.

Powerful NPC Caster: "Ah, indeed Refuge does the trick. I hadn't noticed the "you have no choice whether or not to be transported" portion of the second option of the spell when I first read it, but handed out a few dozen of these before any were ever used. Ended up arriving in my bedclothes several times and once while on the john. Silly me."

 

[Bad Paper]

The Booty Talisman, you mean.