the "Voice Box"

[Grundle]

I'd like to create a low powered magic item with a transmutation effect that when worn changes the voice of it possessor to that of another person/creature.

The item would be embued with the captured voice of a single creature during it's creation and that voice could not be changed. The item might even require the voice box removed from the victim who's voice is to be duplicated as one of the components necessary for its creation.

My problem is that there doesn't appear to be any spell-like affect or magic item similar to this:
* Vetrilloquism is an illusion that throw's ones own voice
* Major image can reproduce speech, but again it's just an illusion
* Polymorph ? Seems a bit over powered and it's not clear one can duplicate another's voice exactly with this spell.

This item might take the form of an amulet worn tightly around the neck (over the adam's apple) like a choker. A small silver box dangles from the amulet and contains the ashes of a voice box from the victim whose voice is to be duplicated.

What is your opinion about components, feat, spell, and caster Level prerequisites as well as market cost for such an item?

 

[Ambrus]

The item is clearly a Wondrous Item and so would require the Craft Wondrous Item feat to create. In effect this item is much like a hat of disguise though much more severely limited in scope. It would grant a bonus to disguise checks when impersonating the specific individual to whom the collar is attuned but could only work when combined with an effective physical disguise or against someone who can't see the user.

Aside from that it's fairly limited in utility. I'd suggest that it would grant a +2 circumstance bonus to such disguise checks. Normally such a skill boosting item would cost 400 gp but I'd easily cut that amount to a quarter since it is forever limited to the one voice.

As for a prerequisite spell I suppose either ventriloquism or change self is appropriate but since it's such a weak item I would say ghost sound is adequate and quite appropriate. Remember, the prerequisite spell doesn't have to exactly replicate the item's effects, only match it as closely as possible while keeping in mind the power level of item.

 

[helium3]

I'd allow it to impersonate any voice the wearer wants, as long as the wearer has heard that person speak before. Required spells? How about magic mouth and ventriloquism. Other than that, the prior poster's comments are 100% fine.

 

[Cabral]

Just price it as use activated Ghost Sound on a neck slot.

0.5 (spell level) x 1 (CL) x 2,000 gp (Use Activated) x 4 (Ghost Sound is 1/rnd lvl) x1.5 (uncustomary space. See sidebar p288) = 6,000 gp

This is not including any discount for the limitation that it can only change the wearer's voice into one other voice chosen at creation.

Edit: On second thought, the requirement of using a voice box should negate the 1.5 for inappropriate slot; so 4,000 gp

 

[Grundle]

Thanks for the feedback.

It just seems odd to me that there is no spell that specifically handles changing one's voice. Afterall, how does one impersonate someone else effectively without speaking with their voice. Is this an area reserved solely for dopplergangers?

Do you nerf spells like Disguise Self to alter one's voice also?

 

[Cabral]

Ghost Sound can duplicate "talking, singing, shouting". Just imagine it as programming a Ghost Sound for one round of speech... each round.

regardless, you don't need to find a spell that does the same thing as the item, just something close. You could use disguise self if you wanted, the price should be about the same (assuming you apply the same Slot Affinity override above)

 

[Dog Moon]

Is changing the tone of your voice considered as a "simple magical effect?"

If so, you might want to look at Prestidigation, the 0th level spell. It's very low powered, but I think it might be exactly what you're looking for.