Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 lestroissauvages May 05, 2015 20:15:24	Hi All,   I play a cleric, and DM occasionally. I love Thaumaturgy. I have two questions (they are not important questions) about how you might rule its use:   - The only component is V. Would you say that you must use the same words to activate the spell everytime you use it? Or, for example, could you activate the spell during the course of normal speech? 'I want *you* to put *down* the knife and *listen*' (where each *word* is an activation of the spell - assuming the appropriate amount of time had passed between each *word*).   - Would you allow a use of Thaumaturgy (booming voice) to increase the range of Healing Word (bonus action on same turn, only V component)?   Thanks!
#2 Tempest_Stormwind May 05, 2015 20:30:47	Variable on a case by case basis (exact components are always up to the player) and absolutely not (shouting or speaking the words doesn't change the range of the magic, only how clearly you're heard).
#3 jonathonhawke May 05, 2015 23:40:47	lestroissauvages wrote:
#4 jaelis May 06, 2015 7:03:32	lestroissauvages wrote:
#5 Rya.Reisender May 06, 2015 11:36:15	One of my players continuously tries to use Thaumaturgy in a way I consider too powerful and I wonder what others think about it.   For example if enemies are sitting at a campfire, can he turn the campfire into a huge flame and burn down all the enemies? Can he make the campfire so bright that everyone at the campfire instantly turns blind? etc.   Suure, you use an action for it, but it's a cantrip, so it shouldn't be more powerful that any level 1 or higher spell. (Plus I understand Thaumturgy more as an illusion rather than something that physically actually changes anything.)
#6 jaelis May 06, 2015 11:46:15	Rya.Reisender wrote:
#7 Rya.Reisender May 06, 2015 12:00:16	The skill description says "You cause flames to flicker, brighten, dim, or change color for 1 minute."
#8 Tempest_Stormwind May 06, 2015 12:43:17	Rya.Reisender wrote:
#9 jonathonhawke May 06, 2015 14:02:24	Tempest_Stormwind wrote:
#10 QwertyAzerty May 07, 2015 9:19:30	lestroissauvages wrote:
#11 Saeviomagy May 08, 2015 0:10:38	V just says you must be able to speak. Contrary to the Sorceror Metamagic Enforcement Group's opinion, that does not necessarily mean that you need to do anything more than whisper the words to a spell, nor does it mean that the words take 6 seconds to speak.   So whispering a word and then adjusting how loud you speak each word thereafter will give the effect of amplifying the words you want to stress.   Making a campfire blind people sitting around it? Sort of. I'd give surprise for a round, but not the blinded condition.   And yeah, spell range is not governed by hearing range, except in cases where the target being unable to hear you prevents a spell that is otherwise in range from working (suggestion at a rave, for example).
#12 BRJN May 09, 2015 13:13:25	Thaumaturgy is supposed to give you Special Effects, so to speak, not new powers.  I do like the emphasis on words within a sentence.  Darth Vader accomplishes a similar thing by pausing in his speech.  I've seen a suggestion to make the caster's footsteps shake the floor (as in the approaching T-Rex in Jurrasic Park, not as in Earthquake!).  The trick with a blinding-bright fire I would disallow (due to you are invoking a Rules Condition) and I'll point out / warn that if you flub the spell you actually advertise to the foe that you (or something magical) are nearby.    Summary: If a Bard would use some trick to enhance his performance and increase its impact on his audience, I'd be inclined to allow it as a Thaumaturgy.