Message: Whisper Sweet Nothings
Usable By: Artificer, Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
Spell Level: 0 (cantrip)
School: Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Duration: 1 round
Components: V, S, M (a short piece of copper wire)
You point your finger toward a creature within range and whisper a message. The target (and only the target) hears the message and can reply in a whisper that only you can hear.
You can cast this spell through solid objects if you are familiar with the target and know it is beyond the barrier. Magical silence, 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood blocks the spell. The spell doesn’t have to follow a straight line and can travel freely around corners or through openings.
Review by Sam West, Twitter:@CrierKobold
Oh, Message. You crazy little cantrip you. Message is the kind of cantrip I see a lot of players go for early on, and while the idea of telepathic communication is nifty, the practical uses of it are more niche than many expect. Honestly, I think that ends up being a boon for the spell, as the constraints around it can make for silly and wonderful moments.
The mechanics behind it are straightforward; you physically point at somebody, whisper something, and they hear it in their brain and can respond if they’d like. Having to point and whisper at somebody makes this something you don’t necessarily bust out mid conversation with a mark or somebody you’re negotiating with; you’re basically telegraphing to that person then “Hey look! We’re scheming and talking about you behind your back!” Still, being able to chat with somebody telepathically does offer some utility in a good chunk of situations.
If you’re captured, all you need is a free finger to communicate with whoever’s in range silently. You can alert allies through thin walls about upcoming danger, communicate silently over large distances during precarious high stakes heists, and occasionally clue somebody fumbling their way through a charisma check into a critical detail they forget to mention.
Now, are any of those situations popping up frequently? Probably not! Message isn’t a cantrip you’re busting out every session. This is the kind of effect you’ll want from time to time, and even when it's applicable, some clever pantomime or use of varying language proficiencies can typically achieve a similar effect. Still, I can’t help but like Message, and think it hits just below the mark for how powerful a utility cantrip should be. If you like the effect, grab it! Otherwise, you might be better off with Minor Illusion, a cosmetic cantrip like Prestidigitation, or some other slightly higher impact utility cantrip.
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