”Sending” is a spell that completely flew under my radar until a certain blue tiefling absolutely overhauled how I thought it could be used…by incessantly messaging every NPC possible.
Aside from the 5% chance of the “Sending” failing if you’re transmitting the message across planar boundaries; you are more or less able to send a psychic message to whoever you wish…provided you “know” who they are (from a reasonable standpoint, let’s say you need to have seen them before).
…and then the little gremlin in my started plotting how to use this spell to build a character around psychological warfare: feeding disinformation or demoralizing messages through the “Sending” spell to key targets.
“You left your front door unlocked.”
”The combination to your vault was particularly easy to crack.”
”We are watching you…ALWAYS.”
”You’re bodyguard is secretly plotting against you.”
…etc.
Amusing, yes…but the limitations of “Sending” restrict it solely to verbal encounter…eventually, the recipient would simply ignore the “Sending”.
…enter the illusion spell, “Dream”.
”Dream” is the next logical step in your psychological warfare…if the enemy starts ignoring or disregarding your “Sending”; you then manifest a nightmarish messenger INTO THEIR DREAMS.
As a nice little bonus, you can impose a Wisdom saving throw on them, which if they fail, will result in them sustaining a level of exhaustion, as well as psychic damage.
…sprinkle in some “Scrying” so you can gather crucial information; and you have a character who can remotely terrorize the party’s enemies.
I’m trying to remember if they’re are any other spells that would be useful for such a character; any recommendations would be welcome.
Also, anyone who has had some amusing scenarios where they used the “Sending” or “Dream” spell, please share below.
The small problem with 'sending' is that the recipient knows you sent it, if they know you, If they do not they at least know someone mortal sent it, not a god. This is why I do not let someone use it if they only know someone without actually meeting them. Everyone knows of the king and just how many magic users would do this to someone they just hear about without ever meeting in life? Kings and other leaders would be mentally attacked constantly. If you met them then they would have met you and thus they would know who sent the message.
As for the 'dream' spell unless you force it to be a nightmare dream the recipient knows who you are, they see you in the dream and remember you. And for a king like leader, as soon as a few dreams turn bad don't you think he would hire a spell caster of his own to protect himself while he sleeps?
The small problem with 'sending' is that the recipient knows you sent it, if they know you, If they do not they at least know someone mortal sent it, not a god. This is why I do not let someone use it if they only know someone without actually meeting them. Everyone knows of the king and just how many magic users would do this to someone they just hear about without ever meeting in life? Kings and other leaders would be mentally attacked constantly. If you met them then they would have met you and thus they would know who sent the message.
As for the 'dream' spell unless you force it to be a nightmare dream the recipient knows who you are, they see you in the dream and remember you. And for a king like leader, as soon as a few dreams turn bad don't you think he would hire a spell caster of his own to protect himself while he sleeps?
I remember I used dream as a spell cast by an npc so the players could have a conversation with them beyond what they could convey in just a sending... But now I have a player who uses dream regularly just for conversations... I'm not sure if the player even remembers there's options for using dream aggressively.
I wouldn't put it past a crafty wizard to trap their dreams... By which I mean, it sounds like a cool idea and one of the cool things about it is how it invites DMs to come up with countermeasures.
I normally don't revive threads that have been dead for more than day or so, but this one was really interesting... Dream is easily the most slept on spell in 5e (pun very much intended). It is excellent at terrifying opponents, and the main benefit of the 2D6 psychic damage is that it stops the target from gaining any benefits from their long rest, not that it's just a bit of chip damage.
Dream + Sending + Scrying works great, and it works even better if you are able to get your hands on a Crystal Ball. Also, I've seen earlier posters on this thread say that you can only use Sending to contact people you know, but that is incorrect (spoilers for Dungeon of the Mad Mage):
In DottM, characters won't meet Halaster until they've gotten to level 23 of Undermountain. But they are "familiar" with him (which is what Sending requires to contact someone), they can barrage Halaster with messages. This is why he has a "Nothic Secretary" (area 31, level 9) that takes the Sendings from adventurers or people who want to be his apprentice that have never met him.
Also, I don't see why someone would know it was you who contacted them if you used Dream against them.
So all in all, this is. an excellent combination of spells. Great job Tony1Adobe realizing some of the potential in one of my favorite - but also rarely used - spell, Dream.
PS- The Aerois campaign over on the High Rollers D&D Youtube channel uses Dream a lot.
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So here’s a thought:
”Sending” is a spell that completely flew under my radar until a certain blue tiefling absolutely overhauled how I thought it could be used…by incessantly messaging every NPC possible.
Aside from the 5% chance of the “Sending” failing if you’re transmitting the message across planar boundaries; you are more or less able to send a psychic message to whoever you wish…provided you “know” who they are (from a reasonable standpoint, let’s say you need to have seen them before).
…and then the little gremlin in my started plotting how to use this spell to build a character around psychological warfare: feeding disinformation or demoralizing messages through the “Sending” spell to key targets.
“You left your front door unlocked.”
”The combination to your vault was particularly easy to crack.”
”We are watching you…ALWAYS.”
”You’re bodyguard is secretly plotting against you.”
…etc.
Amusing, yes…but the limitations of “Sending” restrict it solely to verbal encounter…eventually, the recipient would simply ignore the “Sending”.
…enter the illusion spell, “Dream”.
”Dream” is the next logical step in your psychological warfare…if the enemy starts ignoring or disregarding your “Sending”; you then manifest a nightmarish messenger INTO THEIR DREAMS.
As a nice little bonus, you can impose a Wisdom saving throw on them, which if they fail, will result in them sustaining a level of exhaustion, as well as psychic damage.
…sprinkle in some “Scrying” so you can gather crucial information; and you have a character who can remotely terrorize the party’s enemies.
I’m trying to remember if they’re are any other spells that would be useful for such a character; any recommendations would be welcome.
Also, anyone who has had some amusing scenarios where they used the “Sending” or “Dream” spell, please share below.
Not as far of a distance, but mirage arcane could convince them of being in a completely different place, and lasts for 10 days.
You could use project image to pull an Emperor Palpatine and show up as a projection right in front of them, without having to be there.
The small problem with 'sending' is that the recipient knows you sent it, if they know you, If they do not they at least know someone mortal sent it, not a god.
This is why I do not let someone use it if they only know someone without actually meeting them. Everyone knows of the king and just how many magic users would do this to someone they just hear about without ever meeting in life?
Kings and other leaders would be mentally attacked constantly. If you met them then they would have met you and thus they would know who sent the message.
As for the 'dream' spell unless you force it to be a nightmare dream the recipient knows who you are, they see you in the dream and remember you. And for a king like leader, as soon as a few dreams turn bad don't you think he would hire a spell caster of his own to protect himself while he sleeps?
Ah, perfect!
Funny how some of these spells slip your notice for so long…I wasn’t even aware of “Project Image”.
For a king, absolutely.
For that shopkeeper trying to swindle me…heh heh.
He still knows its you and could hire someone to handle the situation.
I remember I used dream as a spell cast by an npc so the players could have a conversation with them beyond what they could convey in just a sending... But now I have a player who uses dream regularly just for conversations... I'm not sure if the player even remembers there's options for using dream aggressively.
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I wouldn't put it past a crafty wizard to trap their dreams... By which I mean, it sounds like a cool idea and one of the cool things about it is how it invites DMs to come up with countermeasures.
I normally don't revive threads that have been dead for more than day or so, but this one was really interesting... Dream is easily the most slept on spell in 5e (pun very much intended). It is excellent at terrifying opponents, and the main benefit of the 2D6 psychic damage is that it stops the target from gaining any benefits from their long rest, not that it's just a bit of chip damage.
Dream + Sending + Scrying works great, and it works even better if you are able to get your hands on a Crystal Ball. Also, I've seen earlier posters on this thread say that you can only use Sending to contact people you know, but that is incorrect (spoilers for Dungeon of the Mad Mage):
In DottM, characters won't meet Halaster until they've gotten to level 23 of Undermountain. But they are "familiar" with him (which is what Sending requires to contact someone), they can barrage Halaster with messages. This is why he has a "Nothic Secretary" (area 31, level 9) that takes the Sendings from adventurers or people who want to be his apprentice that have never met him.
Also, I don't see why someone would know it was you who contacted them if you used Dream against them.
So all in all, this is. an excellent combination of spells. Great job Tony1Adobe realizing some of the potential in one of my favorite - but also rarely used - spell, Dream.
PS- The Aerois campaign over on the High Rollers D&D Youtube channel uses Dream a lot.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.This thread is basically a night hag origin story
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)