Can Prestidigitation be used like this?

[Shaloo]

Can Prestidigitation be used to create a crude, yet legible message in a language the caster knows?

If so, how much of a message? A word? A sentence? I understand the spell is supposed to have severe limitations, but it also seems rather vague about some of it's effects.

[Timebomb]

Given enough time, I'd say so. Though I expect decent bit of table variance.

I'll call it that you could create a single letter with a single casting, multiple letters are too complex for the spell. And that the letters you're creating are under the "Prestidigitation can create small objects, but they look crude and artificial" part of the spell. Typically I've seen it ruled that Prestidigitation can do anything you want, save that it is borderline useless and probably could be done easier without magic (given basic mundane supplies, a flat surface and charcoal in this case).

One letter summoned per cast (6 seconds) would be my call. You want to summon your question with Prestidigitation? 22 minutes of casting, and if you want to move it the letters fall apart into a pile of dust ("extremely fragile").

[Ascalaphus]

Given that prestidigitation can soil or clean up a cubic foot per round, you could certainly create writing either by soiling or cleaning. Kind of like drawing faces on a dusty car's windshield.

How fast? I'd go with 1-2 syllables per round, and in rather crude script, kind of fingerpaint like.

Oh, and you could make it look like dripping (theater) blood.

[Shaloo]

All right, good guidelines that I'll keep in mind. Thank you.

[Inquisitor Thrace]

Ascalaphus wrote:

Given that prestidigitation can soil or clean up a cubic foot per round, you could certainly create writing either by soiling or cleaning. Kind of like drawing faces on a dusty car's windshield.

How fast? I'd go with 1-2 syllables per round, and in rather crude script, kind of fingerpaint like.

Oh, and you could make it look like dripping (theater) blood.

You, sir, are brilliant!

I'm so going to try to use this in a game, if I have your blessing.

Can see the writing on the wall . . .

[seebs]

Per casting? Prestidigitation gives you unlimited minor effects for an hour per casting...

[Vod Canockers]

I think I would go with 4-6 letters per round, but they would be large. The limitation would be on the amount of space that you have to write on. I think about 6" letters.

A+ for thinking outside the box.

[maouse]

....people walking around with "Kick Me" signs in Azlanti on their backs...

[lemeres]

maouse wrote:

....people walking around with "Kick Me" signs in Azlanti on their backs...

"Aroden! You are alive?! Since no one could draw on your power, we all thought....wait, what are you doing?....AAAAHHHH"

Also, there is that coloring rule. So theorically you coul change the color of bits of wall in order to replicate using a marker or something.

But just soiling is probably best. Even if you can't write precisely with prestidigitation, you could probably argue that you soiled the ground by making an ink puddle, and then you just use your fingers to wipe up some ink, and then write by hand.

[Aranna]

It can color things... It should be simple to create lettering on a surface. One casting is all you need and it wouldn't take any longer than it would to write it out by hand.