Tagging: Spellsmiths needed

[Kilmore]

I have an idea for a spell, something that a cleric can cast upon someone (usually unwilling) that makes everyone that looks upon that person associate a certain tag word with that person, such as "Thief", "Coward", "Liar", "Unclean", "Engaged" or something like that and lasts for a year or until certain conditions are met.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Compare it to bestow curse and mark of justice, perhaps?

 

[MarauderX]

How about "Sex Offender" or some other untrue statement? I was thinking it could also be used to promote someone like a bard walks on stage, and the whole crowd says "Coolest Dude Ever". It would have to be kinda powerful given the duration, and perhaps once the person is 'cursed' with it, others around him make opposed will checks or something for the 'listener' to understand the descriptive (if the cursed wins, he can keep the word secret to that person). I would think other casters would also have access to the spell, although at different levels.
I would think that language wouldn't matter, as an equivalent translation would be understood in the 'listeners' mind. Let me get to work in my lab and see what I can come up with.

 

[MarauderX]

How is this for starters?

Corum's Suggested Phrase
Transmutation
Level: Bard 2, Cleric 2, Sorc/wiz 3
Components: V, S
Casting time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: 111 days
Saving Throw: Will
Spell Resistance: Yes
The target is branded with a word or phrase that is recalled by others whenever they see, hear, or otherwise detect the target unless the target makes another Will save for that round. Each round the target can try to suppress the effect, with surrounding intelligent beings mentally understanding the word or phrase the caster bestows upon him. If the word or phrase is a negative connotation, an NPC attitude is shifted down one slot.
The caster may also be the recipient of the spell, with a positive word placed upon him.
Each encounter with an individual only works once per spell, so seeing the target at different encounters does not invoke the suggested phrase again. Only one spell may be in use at a time per target.

 

[Thresher]

I really like this idea, though I can see it being abused horribly one day by a PC and lots of angry people seeking revenge at a later date, which is an interesting irony in itself

A lot of people I played with in the past would have been branded 'Poor Impulse Control'.

 

[Kilmore]

To be honest, I think a negative "tag" would be more effective that a positive one. I would thing that the target would at some point become aware of the magical effect and be more inclined to believe that some scruddy beggar is a "liar" than a used wagon salesman is "honest".