The Message cantrip -- several questions.

[Dessic]

The description for Message leaves me with a couple of questions.

1.) Does the spell allow for only one message from the caster and one reply from the target(s) within the duration of the spell? The spell description doesn't state this explicitly, and switched between the singular and the plural form when discussing the spell's effects.

2.) If I inform my companions that I have cast Message, do they have to wait for a message from me before sending one of their own? Can they use their 'reply' before I send my 'message'?

3.) Can I cast a spell with a verbal component as my 'message,' to almost mimic a spell cast with the Silent Spell feat? I suspect the answer is no, but I'm curious nonetheless.

Thanks in advance.

[Dessic]

Also, is the verbal component of the spell the whispered message itself? If so, this would answer question 2 for me, and likely question 3. I don't think this is the case, but again the spell description is ... lacking.

[Ughbash]

Dessic wrote:

The description for Message leaves me with a couple of questions.

1.) Does the spell allow for only one message from the caster and one reply from the target(s) within the duration of the spell? The spell description doesn't state this explicitly, and switched between the singular and the plural form when discussing the spell's effects.

2.) If I inform my companions that I have cast Message, do they have to wait for a message from me before sending one of their own? Can they use their 'reply' before I send my 'message'?

3.) Can I cast a spell with a verbal component as my 'message,' to almost mimic a spell cast with the Silent Spell feat? I suspect the answer is no, but I'm curious nonetheless.

Thanks in advance.

By my interpretation:

1) No you can do multiple messages during the time, companions can only reply to you immediately after they receive a message. So you need to "ping" them for a status response.

2) No, they can only reply when you contact them via message.

3) No.

Quote:

Verbal (V): A verbal component is a spoken incantation. To provide a verbal component, you must be able to speak in a strong voice. A silence spell or a gag spoils the incantation (and thus the spell). A spellcaster who has been deafened has a 20% chance of spoiling any spell with a verbal component that he tries to cast.

The strong voice would also stop you from whispering the verbal part of a spell.

[Dessic]

Thanks for the reply. I am playing in a group with two Sorcerers with Message, a wizard and a druid. If it's true that Message allows for multiple whispered messages and responses over the spell's duration, then the Druid might only be able to respond to whispered messages, and then only to the one sending the last whisper to him. Time for the Druid to invest in one level of Wiz or Sor, heh...

If that's the case, Message seems awfully powerful for a cantrip.

[T O]

Like hell I will! Next druid level druids get improvements to BAB, all saves, 2nd & 3rd level spells per day, and wild shapes per day.

:D

[jreyst]

Dessic wrote:

If that's the case, Message seems awfully powerful for a cantrip.

Player's in my last campaign basically used it as an always on telepathic link amongst the party members. I made all communications go through the caster but that was basically just a technicality. Yes, in my opinion Message in its current incarnation is too strong. If it were 1st level I could see it, or alternatively, return it to its original use where it allowed one whispered message back and forth, not an always on continual conversation telepathy. And yes, I know it requires whispering.. That's hardly a big restriction.

If/when I run a PF campaign again I will do one of the above, but probably more along the lines of the second one, making it one message back and forth only. If the player wants to keep recasting it every round that's on him.

[SlimGauge]

The way our group plays it is the initial casting requires a strong voice. What usually happens is the scout (not the class, the role) casts it or has it cast upon him before splitting from the party to go be stealthy and scouty. Since the current caster level of the usual caster is CL4, this means he needs to return to the main party every 40 minutes or so to renew the spell.

We play that the caster of the spell needs to initiate a message before the recipients can reply. Since the spell description says "whisper messages and recieve whispered replies." (plural) we allow it to convey multiple messages over the duration of the spell.

The range limit is the biggest restriction, especially outdoors.

We try not to abuse it. The most common message sent is "Tallyho !" (Air Corps code-word for enemy in sight, engaging).