1) If I see two people in a tavern whispering to each other, can I cast whisper at one of them, make an nominal whisper that could easily go unnoticed by the person, and then listen in on at least that person's side of the conversation, for ten minutes?
2) Do people need to whisper for the spell to work? For example, if both people were speaking at a normal volume, would the message not go through at all?
1) Careful, because as the spell has a verbal component, it is easy for people to notice you're casting spells. Since it has a somatic component, even if they don't hear you (they will), they'll see you do it. And... there is the whole matter of needing to point at your target.
So, if you did manage to pull off casting it unnoticed, (a still/silent message?) and no one noticed that you pointed at the people whispering in the corner... Then you can target whoever you like, up to one creature per caster level, within range.
After that, you could whisper to whoever is affected, and they'd hear it. Once you've whispered a message to them, any further whispering they do... you will be able to hear.
2) It has to be a whisper. Regular speech isn't transmitted, only whispers.
1) If I see two people in a tavern whispering to each other, can I cast whisper at one of them, make an nominal whisper that could easily go unnoticed by the person, and then listen in on at least that person's side of the conversation, for ten minutes?
2) Do people need to whisper for the spell to work? For example, if both people were speaking at a normal volume, would the message not go through at all?
You can whisper messages and receive whispered replies. Those nearby can hear these messages with a DC 25 Perception check. You point your finger at each creature you want to receive the message. When you whisper, the whispered message is audible to all targeted creatures within range. Magical silence, 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal (or a thin sheet of lead), or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks the spell. The message does not have to travel in a straight line. It can circumvent a barrier if there is an open path between you and the subject, and the path's entire length lies within the spell's range. The creatures that receive the message can whisper a reply that you hear. The spell transmits sound, not meaning; it doesn't transcend language barriers. To speak a message, you must mouth the words and whisper.
1) It says that the creature that receives your message CAN reply not that they are required to. So no can't eavesdrop as the creature gets the choice of replying or not.
2) Yes the spell specifically says you must mouth the words and whisper.
How would the target of the spell indicate that they are replying, or their will to reply? The spell is described as only transmitting sound, but are you suggesting that the spell has a telepathic/mind-reading ability as well?
If so, then can the Message spell be used with Silent Spell (metamagic) feat, given that one could still effectively mouth the words?
My impulse would be "no," since the spell is described as "transmitting sounds," but then by that measure, I interpret the "choice" of the target of the spell being to speak, or not to speak (within a few moments of being whispered to), and that the spell has no additional telepathic element to determine whether the targets intend to reply either to the caster of the spell, or any of the other targets included in the spell.
Further question: Isn't the verbal component of the spell the whisper itself? And isn't the somatic component the pointing?
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How would the target of the spell indicate that they are replying, or their will to reply? The spell is described as only transmitting sound, but are you suggesting that the spell has a telepathic/mind-reading ability as well?
Many spells are under the control of the recipient. For example, Blessings of Fervor allows you to choose from a variety of bonuses. For that matter, how does a caster summoning a monster choose where it appears? You could consider that a mind-reading ability if you wanted. Basically, it's magic.
If so, then can the Message spell be used with Silent Spell (metamagic) feat, given that one could still effectively mouth the words?
Silent Spell eliminates the verbal components of the casting, not other related aspects.
Further question: Isn't the verbal component of the spell the whisper itself? And isn't the somatic component the pointing?
No. Actions required to make use of a spell aren't verbal or somatic components - those are the things you need to do to make the magic happen in the first place. Casting a Still Touch spell doesn't negate the need to touch your enemy.
Note that much of this thread is now obsolete due to the FAQ ruling that even a Still Silent spell is visible due to colorful magic runes or whatever.
That all makes sense to me. I'm convinced. For the record, though, the message spell describes: "Saving Throw: none; Spell Resistance: no," so the issue is ambiguous.
I hope that in the future we get a spell called "Eavesdrop." I don't know why don't have one already.
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How would the target of the spell indicate that they are replying, or their will to reply? The spell is described as only transmitting sound, but are you suggesting that the spell has a telepathic/mind-reading ability as well?
If so, then can the Message spell be used with Silent Spell (metamagic) feat, given that one could still effectively mouth the words?
My impulse would be "no," since the spell is described as "transmitting sounds," but then by that measure, I interpret the "choice" of the target of the spell being to speak, or not to speak (within a few moments of being whispered to), and that the spell has no additional telepathic element to determine whether the targets intend to reply either to the caster of the spell, or any of the other targets included in the spell.
Further question: Isn't the verbal component of the spell the whisper itself? And isn't the somatic component the pointing?
Dude, did it seriously take you an entire year to get back to this thread?
I think you could manage an eavesdrop-type effect with Clairaudience, or some other divination spell.
Dude, did it seriously take you an entire year to get back to this thread?How would the target of the spell indicate that they are replying, or their will to reply? The spell is described as only transmitting sound, but are you suggesting that the spell has a telepathic/mind-reading ability as well?
If so, then can the Message spell be used with Silent Spell (metamagic) feat, given that one could still effectively mouth the words?
My impulse would be "no," since the spell is described as "transmitting sounds," but then by that measure, I interpret the "choice" of the target of the spell being to speak, or not to speak (within a few moments of being whispered to), and that the spell has no additional telepathic element to determine whether the targets intend to reply either to the caster of the spell, or any of the other targets included in the spell.
Further question: Isn't the verbal component of the spell the whisper itself? And isn't the somatic component the pointing?
That's hilarious! Nice catch.
That all makes sense to me. I'm convinced. For the record, though, the message spell describes: "Saving Throw: none; Spell Resistance: no," so the issue is ambiguous.
I hope that in the future we get a spell called "Eavesdrop." I don't know why don't have one already.
The spell exists, but it's called clauraudience. It has existed for a long time.
Don't forget that the recent FAQ on spellcasting has unilaterally removed the ability to be stealthy while casting.
In the described situation, the caster would produce a visual effect recognizable as a spell being cast, regardless of Still/Silence being employed...
In any case, no, Message doesn't allow you to eavesdrop on people, that's not what it's for.
Message lasts for tens of minutes and doesn't require pointing during the cast. So just go outside in the bushes, cast, go back inside, and then do your non-manifestation pointing and such over the next half hour.Don't forget that the recent FAQ on spellcasting has unilaterally removed the ability to be stealthy while casting.
In the described situation, the caster would produce a visual effect recognizable as a spell being cast, regardless of Still/Silence being employed...
In any case, no, Message doesn't allow you to eavesdrop on people, that's not what it's for.
Still doesn't allow eavesdropping though, surely we can agree on that?
