Teleport as Mark and Recall...

[JimAde]

If you limit the number of active marks as Rodrigo suggests, using Arcane Mark seems fine. I think I'd base the limit on level rather than Int, but either way it's a good idea.

 

[der_kluge]

I like the idea of a 0th level mark spell, personally. I mean yea, they can mark everything with it, but it's not like they haven't been there, so it's not really that powerful. I mean, I think his beef was with them going to places they hadn't been.

 

[Gez]

I allow to use arcane mark to make a place "very familiar" to you. Likewise, putting an arcane mark on someone or something allows for easier scrying.

But I limit the number of these "helpful" marks to the caster level.

 

[Terraism]

One thing to consider with going the mark route - for a sorcerer to utilize the spells, they'd need, not one, but two spells - making it take up a more sizeable portion of their repertoire. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but certainly worth thinking about.

 

[niastri]

There was a thread about this exact topic a few months ago but I can't find it. Here are some of the ideas I remember....

1) The Mark spell has to be cast on a specific object to "attune" it to that location. The object needs to be in the wizards hand when the Teleport spell is cast. This way, a wizard can Mark pretty freely since the more Marked object he has, the bigger a logistic hassle it will become. This is the Ultima way. The marked object can be bought or sold.

2) Depending on the type of object, the Mark may not last long. Wooden object might only last a few hours, silver and gold a few months, while gemstone might last years.

3) An ordinary mundane object might become attuned on its own if it sits in the same spot for a long time. Thus, the party thief can sneak into the king's kitchen and steel some silverwear to allow the rest of the party to teleport in.

4) Their might be alternative way to attune stuff. For example, wood elves might be able to teleport from one tree to any of that tree's seedlings.


Aaron

I love the idea, the old sympathetic magic idea. That could get really nasty, if you have mark or "attune" as a spell, you can take a bit of blood from someone you just damaged in a scirmish, cast "attune" on the blood, and always be able to teleport to the persons location. A locket with a hair in it becomes something somebody would take elaborate protections for.

 

[dvvega]

What if someone sees my arcane mark? Wouldn't spellcasters recognise it for what it was? A teleport target?

Then cities and rich people would start hiring Teleport Gangs - to remove any such marks in their hometowns and buildings. There is no way anyone is marking my place!!

Personally I'd go with a slight modification:

1. the casting of the spell is both a mark and a recall later on (allows Sorcerers to get it easy)
2. the recall part requires a focus/item that is carried on the person (destroy it and there is no recall). Focus is destroyed on use, not cheap, not expensive.
3. A wizard/sorcerer may only mark 1 location every 5 class levels
4. The target location can still be Anchored, Dispelled (the mark), etc. If Dispelled the focus is not destroyed (the caster may have no idea of it though).
5. There is a time-limit on utility of perhaps 1 month (or your favourite period) per location achievable (maximum 4 months at 20th level). This would at least require the party to renew their marks every so often.