A D&D...answering machine??? [Archive] - Wizards Community

A D&D...answering machine??? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
hot_fusion
03-17-04, 07:09 AM My roomate presented this idea to me yesterday, and he, my boyfriend, and myself have been trying to figure out just how to make it happen:

My roomate wants his Gnome Cleric of Gond to make a sort of "answering machine" for the tower we were just given. Basically, someone approaches the gate, where they see a 3-D image of a gnome who says to them "I'm sorry, we're not at home right now. Please leave a message at the sound of the bell," or something like that. The device makes the appropriate noise, and the visitor has about a minute to record a message that we can play back later.

I was thinking of one of the image spells combined with one of the sound spells for the first part of it, all wrapped together with a variation of contigency. The second part is what's causing the majority of the confusion, though. I don't know all of the spells, so i'm not sure if there's one that will record visuals and sound for a set amount of time.

Also, suggestions for messages would be great! :D Thanks in advance!
CaoSlayer
03-17-04, 07:12 AM the closest things:

magic mouth (phb)

and also the magic harp spell in magic of faerun that allows to replay a tune that hapened in less that a hour.
UZI
03-17-04, 08:58 AM Work it like a trap, there are costing guidelines in the DMG.

Start with Alarm for the trigger, many magical "traps" use this as a triggering mechanism. Major image or something like that for the prompting. Not sure about the recording part though (at least not off the top of my head).
Bluebrush
03-17-04, 09:17 AM Or alternatively... Set up a notepad of paper and a letter box, so people can write you messages.

Though that is much less cool.

We need a magic item for this. ^_^
TheRedRobedWizard
03-17-04, 09:20 AM Transmute Words to Writing (Transmutation)
Sor/Wiz 2, Bard 2
Components: V,S,F
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 1 action
SR: Yes
Saving Throw: Will n.

This spell allows a target to speak for one minute into a small rock. This spell then transmutes the spoken words into writing on the pages of a book within 10 yrds + 1 yrd per caster level. This spell is mostly used as a sort of "answering spell" for mages towers and adventurer's halls. Though this sort of thing may seem like a convenience, it can actually alert potential burglers that you may not be "home" at the time. This spell lasts until triggered a number of times equal to the caster's caster level, until dispelled, or until the book is full. Most spellbook sized books can hold 30 minutes of recordings.

Focus: A rock worth at least 1 CP, a book for the spell to transmute the words into.

------

There ya go.

-TRRW
Sereno
03-17-04, 09:21 AM Do you *really* want to advertise to anyone who walks up to your tower that you aren't there. "We aren't home right now, please come in an rob us...!" :)
Tzor
03-17-04, 09:40 AM True. Technically the correct wording should be "We can't come to the door at this time," according to the proper ettiqutte.

Offhand I would say Magic Mouth and Sending, and a Secretary.
pawnman
03-17-04, 09:47 AM Nothing useful to contribute...I just want to say that this is one of the greatest things I've ever heard of! You can be sure the next time my players visit an NPC sage, he'll have one of these!
hot_fusion
03-17-04, 04:18 PM Wow...thanks for all the ideas. My roomate is estatic that people like his idea so much. However, he still wants to have some sort of visual attached to the message, so is there any spell that would take a picture of the guest or something like that?

Oh, and I appreciate the concern for the safety of our tower, but we're pretty well guarded. Our party is pretty paranoid, and with all the magic and skill floating about, I feel sorry for any poor sap that tries to break in. :D
Not a monkey
03-17-04, 05:36 PM Well if you're filthy rich, hire a doppelganger. They can look like you to greet folks, memorize them, and when you come back, turn into them to tell and show you exactly what they said and did.
TheRedRobedWizard
03-17-04, 09:40 PM Originally posted by Not a monkey
Well if you're filthy rich, hire a doppelganger. They can look like you to greet folks, memorize them, and when you come back, turn into them to tell and show you exactly what they said and did.

That, is the most brilliant idea I've ever heard. YOINK! Stolen.

-TRRW
BW0222
03-17-04, 10:35 PM Use a permanent image and hire someone to stay in the castle and listen for the message through a "horn" from inside the castle.

A familiar or a hypocampus or other construct would do also.

Thanks,

Brett
Juca
03-18-04, 09:33 AM A familiar or a hypocampus or other construct would do also.

Hypocampus? Are you sure you're wanted to say this? Maybe really just a Homunculus because I got something in my head that insists in telling me that Hypocampus is a part of the brain... or a vein
RobTzu
03-18-04, 12:50 PM Make it an item. You will need Craft Wondrous Item, the spells should be: Magic Mouth, Clairaudence. Market price 20,000 gp.
The_Caitiff
03-18-04, 07:19 PM I was going to say, "silent image", "magic mouth" and either "message" or "alarm" all permanancied. Would suck the xp more than an item but at least you dont need any feats.

The wonderous item is also a good idea.
Ashalorn
03-18-04, 07:53 PM Actually, programmed image would be perfect for the image of the gnome speaking his pre-recorded message, since "the figment includes visual, auditory, olfactory, and thermal elements, including intelligible speech."

As for the reply, I cannot for the life of me find them, but I have seen a number of items that let sound or images be recorded. If you make it a wondrous item, technically you could get it to cast a programmed image of the reply with trigger conditions known by the gnome (probably a password). Of course, you would need a bard, sorcerer, or wizard to make it for you, since programmed image is a Brd 6, Sor/Wiz 6.
The_Dark_One
03-18-04, 08:06 PM You could create a wonderous item that uses one of the image spells, magic mouth and secret page. The other spells are obvious, but secret page (when studied and tinkered with) allows you to change one message into another. This might allow you to change the original image and audio of your spoken message into that of your visitors.

Note that this spell is only loosely based on secret page. I thought that it could be used as a prerequiste in the sense that you could use its function as a starting point in creating the item.
Rogue
03-18-04, 10:21 PM I'm not sure about the spells used, but I have come up with a good answering recording:

"You have reached the Tower of the Mighty. We are unable to come to the gate right now, so if you leave a message at the sound of the chime, we will get back with you as soon as possible. Thank you. *ding dong ding boooong*"

P.S. You can replace the "Tower of the Mighty" with anything, like "Tower of the Praised" or "Tower of the You-Can't-Rob-Us-You-Low-Life-Scum". Whatever.
Megatron
03-18-04, 11:19 PM Originally posted by Juca
Hypocampus? Are you sure you're wanted to say this? Maybe really just a Homunculus because I got something in my head that insists in telling me that Hypocampus is a part of the brain... or a vein
Hippocampus is part of the brain AND a half-horse/fish creature of classical mythology.

As far as recording the message goes, is it really so hard to just write a new spell? After all you are accomplished adventurers ( and most likely spell-casters)
pawnman
03-18-04, 11:46 PM Do you *really* want to advertise to anyone who walks up to your tower that you aren't there. "We aren't home right now, please come in an rob us...!"

Eh, I wouldn't think the answering machine would advertise this anymore than the fact that no one answered the door.
Arkenian
03-19-04, 12:37 AM Malhavoc Press has, in the Book of Eldritch Might the Legacy Spell, which is pretty much perfect for generating the visual effect in question. It's L2 and has a 10 gp component for a 1 year/level duration ;>
Edymnion
03-19-04, 10:20 AM Without Magic Items:
Alarm to activate the image.
Programmed Image of yourself saying your greeting, leave a message.
Contingency Programmed Image programmed to look like the person who left a message, and programmed to repeat the message. You activate this when you get home. Only downside is that it can only be used once without resetting it.

With Magic Items:
Same as above, just toss them all into an item with an unlimited number of uses per day of Programmed Image. I'd probably give you a pretty good sized price break since its just an answering machine, mainly because I think players should be rewarded for creativity instead of punished (like paying the same price for an answering machine as for an unlimited use attack spell item).
BlackFiend
03-19-04, 05:21 PM What you need is a way to AUTOMATICALLY begin Scrying the area. Perhaps an alarm triggers a Scry or a Dream of some type.

Also, a Message spell of sometype?

Interesting idea. Try to fit scry in there some how.
hot_fusion
03-20-04, 10:52 PM Great ideas, everyone! :D My boyfriend doesn't agree that any of these will work, but he's more of a rules lawyer than a roleplayer, so I can excuse his lack of flexibilty and imagination.

Once again, thanks for the ideas! :)
Thomar_of_Uointer
03-20-04, 10:54 PM I'd just make a homonoclus and make it so it can listen, remember what was said, and talk. Then I install it outside of the door of my castle.

Of course, doing an answering machine is risky. If someone comes to your tower and KNOWS you're not there to defend it...
Rogue
03-21-04, 09:49 AM Originally posted by Thomar of Uointer
I'd just make a homonoclus and make it so it can listen, remember what was said, and talk. Then I install it outside of the door of my castle.

Of course, doing an answering machine is risky. If someone comes to your tower and KNOWS you're not there to defend it...

Thats what makes mercanaries and guards important.
pawnman
03-21-04, 09:50 AM Again, how is having an answering machine any worse than just not answering the door? If someone knocks on the tower door for ten minutes and no one answers, that's pretty much the same thing as the answering machine. Besides, any self-respecting wizard isn't going to leave the tower unguarded, he's going to have summoned creatures and golems and such inside.
Rogue
03-21-04, 09:53 AM Originally posted by pawnman
Again, how is having an answering machine any worse than just not answering the door? If someone knocks on the tower door for ten minutes and no one answers, that's pretty much the same thing as the answering machine. Besides, any self-respecting wizard isn't going to leave the tower unguarded, he's going to have summoned creatures and golems and such inside.

You use an answering machien to see who was knocking at the door

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
hot_fusion 03-17-04, 07:09 AM	My roomate presented this idea to me yesterday, and he, my boyfriend, and myself have been trying to figure out just how to make it happen: My roomate wants his Gnome Cleric of Gond to make a sort of "answering machine" for the tower we were just given. Basically, someone approaches the gate, where they see a 3-D image of a gnome who says to them "I'm sorry, we're not at home right now. Please leave a message at the sound of the bell," or something like that. The device makes the appropriate noise, and the visitor has about a minute to record a message that we can play back later. I was thinking of one of the image spells combined with one of the sound spells for the first part of it, all wrapped together with a variation of contigency. The second part is what's causing the majority of the confusion, though. I don't know all of the spells, so i'm not sure if there's one that will record visuals and sound for a set amount of time. Also, suggestions for messages would be great! :D Thanks in advance!
CaoSlayer 03-17-04, 07:12 AM	the closest things: magic mouth (phb) and also the magic harp spell in magic of faerun that allows to replay a tune that hapened in less that a hour.
UZI 03-17-04, 08:58 AM	Work it like a trap, there are costing guidelines in the DMG. Start with Alarm for the trigger, many magical "traps" use this as a triggering mechanism. Major image or something like that for the prompting. Not sure about the recording part though (at least not off the top of my head).
Bluebrush 03-17-04, 09:17 AM	Or alternatively... Set up a notepad of paper and a letter box, so people can write you messages. Though that is much less cool. We need a magic item for this. ^_^
TheRedRobedWizard 03-17-04, 09:20 AM	Transmute Words to Writing (Transmutation) Sor/Wiz 2, Bard 2 Components: V,S,F Duration: Special Casting Time: 1 action SR: Yes Saving Throw: Will n. This spell allows a target to speak for one minute into a small rock. This spell then transmutes the spoken words into writing on the pages of a book within 10 yrds + 1 yrd per caster level. This spell is mostly used as a sort of "answering spell" for mages towers and adventurer's halls. Though this sort of thing may seem like a convenience, it can actually alert potential burglers that you may not be "home" at the time. This spell lasts until triggered a number of times equal to the caster's caster level, until dispelled, or until the book is full. Most spellbook sized books can hold 30 minutes of recordings. Focus: A rock worth at least 1 CP, a book for the spell to transmute the words into. ------ There ya go. -TRRW
Sereno 03-17-04, 09:21 AM	Do you really want to advertise to anyone who walks up to your tower that you aren't there. "We aren't home right now, please come in an rob us...!" :)
Tzor 03-17-04, 09:40 AM	True. Technically the correct wording should be "We can't come to the door at this time," according to the proper ettiqutte. Offhand I would say Magic Mouth and Sending, and a Secretary.
pawnman 03-17-04, 09:47 AM	Nothing useful to contribute...I just want to say that this is one of the greatest things I've ever heard of! You can be sure the next time my players visit an NPC sage, he'll have one of these!
hot_fusion 03-17-04, 04:18 PM	Wow...thanks for all the ideas. My roomate is estatic that people like his idea so much. However, he still wants to have some sort of visual attached to the message, so is there any spell that would take a picture of the guest or something like that? Oh, and I appreciate the concern for the safety of our tower, but we're pretty well guarded. Our party is pretty paranoid, and with all the magic and skill floating about, I feel sorry for any poor sap that tries to break in. :D
Not a monkey 03-17-04, 05:36 PM	Well if you're filthy rich, hire a doppelganger. They can look like you to greet folks, memorize them, and when you come back, turn into them to tell and show you exactly what they said and did.
TheRedRobedWizard 03-17-04, 09:40 PM	Originally posted by Not a monkey Well if you're filthy rich, hire a doppelganger. They can look like you to greet folks, memorize them, and when you come back, turn into them to tell and show you exactly what they said and did. That, is the most brilliant idea I've ever heard. YOINK! Stolen. -TRRW
BW0222 03-17-04, 10:35 PM	Use a permanent image and hire someone to stay in the castle and listen for the message through a "horn" from inside the castle. A familiar or a hypocampus or other construct would do also. Thanks, Brett
Juca 03-18-04, 09:33 AM	A familiar or a hypocampus or other construct would do also. Hypocampus? Are you sure you're wanted to say this? Maybe really just a Homunculus because I got something in my head that insists in telling me that Hypocampus is a part of the brain... or a vein
RobTzu 03-18-04, 12:50 PM	Make it an item. You will need Craft Wondrous Item, the spells should be: Magic Mouth, Clairaudence. Market price 20,000 gp.
The_Caitiff 03-18-04, 07:19 PM	I was going to say, "silent image", "magic mouth" and either "message" or "alarm" all permanancied. Would suck the xp more than an item but at least you dont need any feats. The wonderous item is also a good idea.
Ashalorn 03-18-04, 07:53 PM	Actually, programmed image would be perfect for the image of the gnome speaking his pre-recorded message, since "the figment includes visual, auditory, olfactory, and thermal elements, including intelligible speech." As for the reply, I cannot for the life of me find them, but I have seen a number of items that let sound or images be recorded. If you make it a wondrous item, technically you could get it to cast a programmed image of the reply with trigger conditions known by the gnome (probably a password). Of course, you would need a bard, sorcerer, or wizard to make it for you, since programmed image is a Brd 6, Sor/Wiz 6.
The_Dark_One 03-18-04, 08:06 PM	You could create a wonderous item that uses one of the image spells, magic mouth and secret page. The other spells are obvious, but secret page (when studied and tinkered with) allows you to change one message into another. This might allow you to change the original image and audio of your spoken message into that of your visitors. Note that this spell is only loosely based on secret page. I thought that it could be used as a prerequiste in the sense that you could use its function as a starting point in creating the item.
Rogue 03-18-04, 10:21 PM	I'm not sure about the spells used, but I have come up with a good answering recording: "You have reached the Tower of the Mighty. We are unable to come to the gate right now, so if you leave a message at the sound of the chime, we will get back with you as soon as possible. Thank you. ding dong ding boooong" P.S. You can replace the "Tower of the Mighty" with anything, like "Tower of the Praised" or "Tower of the You-Can't-Rob-Us-You-Low-Life-Scum". Whatever.
Megatron 03-18-04, 11:19 PM	Originally posted by Juca Hypocampus? Are you sure you're wanted to say this? Maybe really just a Homunculus because I got something in my head that insists in telling me that Hypocampus is a part of the brain... or a vein Hippocampus is part of the brain AND a half-horse/fish creature of classical mythology. As far as recording the message goes, is it really so hard to just write a new spell? After all you are accomplished adventurers ( and most likely spell-casters)
pawnman 03-18-04, 11:46 PM	Do you really want to advertise to anyone who walks up to your tower that you aren't there. "We aren't home right now, please come in an rob us...!" Eh, I wouldn't think the answering machine would advertise this anymore than the fact that no one answered the door.
Arkenian 03-19-04, 12:37 AM	Malhavoc Press has, in the Book of Eldritch Might the Legacy Spell, which is pretty much perfect for generating the visual effect in question. It's L2 and has a 10 gp component for a 1 year/level duration ;>
Edymnion 03-19-04, 10:20 AM	Without Magic Items: Alarm to activate the image. Programmed Image of yourself saying your greeting, leave a message. Contingency Programmed Image programmed to look like the person who left a message, and programmed to repeat the message. You activate this when you get home. Only downside is that it can only be used once without resetting it. With Magic Items: Same as above, just toss them all into an item with an unlimited number of uses per day of Programmed Image. I'd probably give you a pretty good sized price break since its just an answering machine, mainly because I think players should be rewarded for creativity instead of punished (like paying the same price for an answering machine as for an unlimited use attack spell item).
BlackFiend 03-19-04, 05:21 PM	What you need is a way to AUTOMATICALLY begin Scrying the area. Perhaps an alarm triggers a Scry or a Dream of some type. Also, a Message spell of sometype? Interesting idea. Try to fit scry in there some how.
hot_fusion 03-20-04, 10:52 PM	Great ideas, everyone! :D My boyfriend doesn't agree that any of these will work, but he's more of a rules lawyer than a roleplayer, so I can excuse his lack of flexibilty and imagination. Once again, thanks for the ideas! :)
Thomar_of_Uointer 03-20-04, 10:54 PM	I'd just make a homonoclus and make it so it can listen, remember what was said, and talk. Then I install it outside of the door of my castle. Of course, doing an answering machine is risky. If someone comes to your tower and KNOWS you're not there to defend it...
Rogue 03-21-04, 09:49 AM	Originally posted by Thomar of Uointer I'd just make a homonoclus and make it so it can listen, remember what was said, and talk. Then I install it outside of the door of my castle. Of course, doing an answering machine is risky. If someone comes to your tower and KNOWS you're not there to defend it... Thats what makes mercanaries and guards important.
pawnman 03-21-04, 09:50 AM	Again, how is having an answering machine any worse than just not answering the door? If someone knocks on the tower door for ten minutes and no one answers, that's pretty much the same thing as the answering machine. Besides, any self-respecting wizard isn't going to leave the tower unguarded, he's going to have summoned creatures and golems and such inside.
Rogue 03-21-04, 09:53 AM	Originally posted by pawnman Again, how is having an answering machine any worse than just not answering the door? If someone knocks on the tower door for ten minutes and no one answers, that's pretty much the same thing as the answering machine. Besides, any self-respecting wizard isn't going to leave the tower unguarded, he's going to have summoned creatures and golems and such inside. You use an answering machien to see who was knocking at the door