I'm creating a school of magic (Adjuration) based on oathes and contract law. Below is a cantrip I find I keep revising the wording for. Is there a simpler way to describe this? Is the concept clear?
Name Proclamation Casting Time ReactionComponents V,S School Adjuration Level CantripDmg/Effect -Range/Area 30ftDuration InstantAtt/Sv -
This cantrip is unique in that it’s verbal component can be spoken by the caster or any other individual, in any language, provided the caster can understand that language. The verbal component takes the form of a declaration to do or not do something, and must be at least fairly unambiguous. The speaker of the declaration is the target of the cantrip, which takes effect when the target next acts to fulfil the declaration or oppose it.
If the target makes an attack or ability check supporting the declaration they have Advantage. If they make an attack or ability check opposing it they gain Disadvantage. Once either effect is resolved the spell is no longer in effect. The target may only be under one instance of Proclamation at a time, and the caster can not cast this cantrip again without dismissing this effect (a bonus action) or having it resolve on its own.
This cantrip may be cast with a first level spell slot if multiple individuals make the same declaration at the same time. In this case all individuals are under the effect of the spell and it resolves on each of them individually. It cannot be cast by the same caster again unless all instances are resolved or the caster chooses to dismiss it as above.
If someone other than the caster supplies the verbal component (be it from one or several people), this declaration also takes an action.
First, I think the effect you are creating is beyond the bounds of what a cantrip should support.
I think this would have to be a spell. I think it should be a ritual spell for the "target" to be bound to the "caster" to complete his task, but it seems the target should have to enter into this agreement and not simply be bound to an agreement as the cantrip description suggests. If the lowest effect is small, then maybe it would work as a level 1 spell that could be upcast if desired. It has some of the flavor of the spell, Compelled Duel, and I think you might use that for scaling.
Good luck.
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
I like the idea of the proclamation, but like MusicScout I think it doesn't really fit a cantrip for the potential of the effect or to really explore the idea of making the proclamation itself.
The effect you currently have is basically True Strike for an ally, but much easier to use. Leaving aside how True Strike underpowered actually is, for your cantrip your ally could simply proclaim "I'm gonna bust some heads", and that'd be enough of a proclamation to get advantage on any attack you like within the time limit.
I think that having the proclamation be too freeform limits what you can realistically do in terms of effect for the spell. I think a better model to follow might be something like Ceremony from Xanathar's Guide to Everything, which has a bunch of specific ceremonies you can perform (as a ritual), each with their own specific effect.
For example, you might have a 2nd level spell for one character, and at higher levels you can make joint proclamations with one additional creature for each additional spell level, taking 10 minutes to cast as a ritual, and lasting 24 hours. Here are some sample ideas for what the proclamation might be off the top of my head:
I will have my revenge: Choose a single specific (usually named) creature that you know of. Each time you roll damage against this creature, you may re-roll one of the damage dice, but must use the second result.
I will not be afraid: You have advantage against being Frightened.
I will not disgrace myself: If you stand your ground against an enemy stronger than yourself, you may roll up to half of your hit-point dice (rounded up). You may do this only once.
I will survive: You will have advantage on saving throws against traps, and on death saving throws.
You can always leave room for customisation, i.e- proclaim whatever you wish and it's up to your DM what the effect will be (or if the proclamation fails).
If you're determined for it to be a cantrip, then you could possibly make it more specific, for example, you choose an ally who must then skip their next turn to proclaim a specific target. Within the next hour (24 hours?) their first attack against that target has advantage. Basically the idea is that unlike True Strike you can't really use it during combat, as your ally is losing their entire turn, meaning it'd be a better thing to do in advance of a fight, e.g- for your ranger or rogue before they sneak in to deal the opening blow of the battle, before a duel or whatever. I don't think you need to go into too much detail specifying how the spell ends if you cast it again, as I believe that that's the default for spells anyway (a spell needs to specify if effect(s) persist beyond a single casting, see Prestidigitation)?
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
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I'm creating a school of magic (Adjuration) based on oathes and contract law. Below is a cantrip I find I keep revising the wording for. Is there a simpler way to describe this? Is the concept clear?
Name Proclamation Casting Time Reaction Components V,S School Adjuration Level Cantrip Dmg/Effect - Range/Area 30ft Duration Instant Att/Sv -
This cantrip is unique in that it’s verbal component can be spoken by the caster or any other individual, in any language, provided the caster can understand that language. The verbal component takes the form of a declaration to do or not do something, and must be at least fairly unambiguous. The speaker of the declaration is the target of the cantrip, which takes effect when the target next acts to fulfil the declaration or oppose it.
If the target makes an attack or ability check supporting the declaration they have Advantage. If they make an attack or ability check opposing it they gain Disadvantage. Once either effect is resolved the spell is no longer in effect. The target may only be under one instance of Proclamation at a time, and the caster can not cast this cantrip again without dismissing this effect (a bonus action) or having it resolve on its own.
This cantrip may be cast with a first level spell slot if multiple individuals make the same declaration at the same time. In this case all individuals are under the effect of the spell and it resolves on each of them individually. It cannot be cast by the same caster again unless all instances are resolved or the caster chooses to dismiss it as above.
If someone other than the caster supplies the verbal component (be it from one or several people), this declaration also takes an action.
First, I think the effect you are creating is beyond the bounds of what a cantrip should support.
I think this would have to be a spell. I think it should be a ritual spell for the "target" to be bound to the "caster" to complete his task, but it seems the target should have to enter into this agreement and not simply be bound to an agreement as the cantrip description suggests. If the lowest effect is small, then maybe it would work as a level 1 spell that could be upcast if desired. It has some of the flavor of the spell, Compelled Duel, and I think you might use that for scaling.
Good luck.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
I like the idea of the proclamation, but like MusicScout I think it doesn't really fit a cantrip for the potential of the effect or to really explore the idea of making the proclamation itself.
The effect you currently have is basically True Strike for an ally, but much easier to use. Leaving aside how True Strike underpowered actually is, for your cantrip your ally could simply proclaim "I'm gonna bust some heads", and that'd be enough of a proclamation to get advantage on any attack you like within the time limit.
I think that having the proclamation be too freeform limits what you can realistically do in terms of effect for the spell. I think a better model to follow might be something like Ceremony from Xanathar's Guide to Everything, which has a bunch of specific ceremonies you can perform (as a ritual), each with their own specific effect.
For example, you might have a 2nd level spell for one character, and at higher levels you can make joint proclamations with one additional creature for each additional spell level, taking 10 minutes to cast as a ritual, and lasting 24 hours. Here are some sample ideas for what the proclamation might be off the top of my head:
You can always leave room for customisation, i.e- proclaim whatever you wish and it's up to your DM what the effect will be (or if the proclamation fails).
If you're determined for it to be a cantrip, then you could possibly make it more specific, for example, you choose an ally who must then skip their next turn to proclaim a specific target. Within the next hour (24 hours?) their first attack against that target has advantage. Basically the idea is that unlike True Strike you can't really use it during combat, as your ally is losing their entire turn, meaning it'd be a better thing to do in advance of a fight, e.g- for your ranger or rogue before they sneak in to deal the opening blow of the battle, before a duel or whatever. I don't think you need to go into too much detail specifying how the spell ends if you cast it again, as I believe that that's the default for spells anyway (a spell needs to specify if effect(s) persist beyond a single casting, see Prestidigitation)?
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.