Scry trap

[fictionfan]

Scry trap
School divination;
Level bard 6, sorcerer/wizard 6
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (a piece of mirror and a miniature brass and a snake scale
hearing trumpet)
Range personal
Duration 1 hour per level or until dic
Saving Throw reflex negates; Spell Resistance no
If anyone attempts to scry you during the spells duration a snake such as from Sepia Snake Sigil jumps out of their focus (pool of water, mirror, Crystal ball) and attempts to bite them as per the spell. This spell does not stop scrying, but you are aware when the spell is discharged.

What do you think right level? Any problem with a wording. I just liked the idea of a way to get back a scryers and keep them on there toes.

[GoldenOpal]

Very cool spell.

Suggestion for spell levels: bard 6, cleric/oracle 7, druid 7, sorcerer/wizard 6, witch 6. It only seems fair that all classes with Scrying on their spell list would get it too.

Other thoughts:

It definitely needs an expensive material component. I’m thinking ~1,000gp worth of something. (Also, what is ‘a miniature brass’? or is that a typo?)

A standard action casting time is too quick. I’m thinking 10min would be better.

Small Note: There is another published spell by that name. Link. Just so you know.

[Umbral Reaver]

The problem with making these things cost expensive material components is that most of the time you will end up paying for nothing.

How do you know when someone is going to scry you? Do you pay 1000 gp and two spell slots twice a day (or thereabouts, depending on CL) to upkeep the protection?

[GoldenOpal]

Good point Umbral Reaver. However IMO if all it costs is a spell slot or two to keep it up 24/7, it is way overpowered as a <9th level spell. How about increasing the duration to 1 day/level for the 1,000gp?

[Drejk]

For a thousand gold it could be even permanent until discharged (D) as long as it gets long casting time - like 10 minutes or even one hour (thus preventing immediate recast) with caveat that character can have only keep one scry trap active at a time.

[fictionfan]

Can anyone thing of another good name besides Scry trap.

[DarkMidget]

Not sure if I'm 100% down with my own idea, but Vengeful Reflection might be good.

[Kayerloth]

Note the interaction with Detect Scrying. At that point it ceases to be a 'trap' and becomes a 'blast'/attack spell since it has a standard action casting time. Note also that all divination(scry) spells create a magical sensor that may be detected by anyone particularly those with good perception skills. Skill/Perception monkey says "Hey wizard we are being spied on." And Wizard 'blasts' back with Scry Trap. Not how I think you are envisioning the spell being used/employed or is it?

I'd probably up the casting time unless you wish it to be used in response to being Scryed upon rather than as a protective measure against scrying. Sepia Snake Sigil, Fire Trap and Glyph of Warding all have casting times of 10 minutes. My Loremaster tended to have Detect Scrying up at all times by the time he was 10th or so. This is why/how you know someone is scrying on you ... solid perception skills and/or Detect Scrying.

A very interesting concept for a spell in any case.

Edit: I just noticed the post was brought back to life by its OP. Probably long since decided what the cast time was I guessing ...

[DarkMidget]

I just noticed the original post date :O Oh dear.

Um. I had another thought on the name too... Vengeful Vision works too :)