Tech - Tracker

[PotatoJedi]

Name: Tracker
Range: Touch
Casting Time: 2 Rounds
MP Cost: 4
Duration: 1 Week

You touch an electronically-powered device or creature (such as a robot). For the duration, you know the approximate distance and direction relative to you of the thing you cast the spell on. The further away it is, the less accurately you know the distance and direction. You are able to discern if it is currently moving as well as the direction it is moving in. The device must be have power for you to track it. If it loses power, the tracker remains for the duration, but you cannot track it until it regains power again. Discerning where something is costs 1 MP (no need to recast the spell) and you can track it for up to 1 minute before needing to spend another MP.

[Scott]

Hmm. The mental direction sense and stuff doesn't feel very techy. I think it would be cooler (and simpler) if you touched the device and then its numerical coordinates were constantly relayed to your phone (or whatever device) for the duration. Then you can punch them into navigation software or whatever.

Feels like it should have a drawback though. Maybe the tracked device is also monitoring your coordinates?

[PotatoJedi]

Oh, I like that better. Longitude & latitude coordinates displayed on your phone or device (used as a material component).

As for the drawback, if the MP cost to continuously track it isn't enough, maybe also have a random light on the device light up while you're tracking it? So if you're tracking someone's phone, maybe their flashlight is turned on or something? I'm not quite sure how the two-way tracking you suggested would work because you could always track something without a display, like a pair of car keys that have an electronic lock mechanism in them.

[Scott]

Well, first you duct tape your keyboard wire to your keys...

[Scott]

I didn't think the constant MP drain was a good idea, so that was supposed to be an alternative drawback. So it could look like this:

Name: Tracker
Range: Touch
Casting Time: 2 Rounds
MP Cost: 4
Duration: Until sunup/sundown

You touch two electronically-powered devices. Their numerical coordinates are constantly relayed to each other for the duration. Both devices must have power for them to track each other. If they lose power, the Tracker spell remains for the duration, but the effect is suppressed until both regain power again. Best to have some navigation software to actually go out and get there.

[logan9a]

Name: Tracker
Range: Touch
Casting Time: 2 Rounds
MP Cost: 2 per hour
Duration: Until the caster stops it

Material components needed - something with an arrow (like a compass) and something the size of a packet of cigarettes with some sort of electronics stuff within. Cast the spell while touching both. Place the electronic thing within what you want tracked. So long as it is within 10 KM and you wish to continue to spend magic points, the arrow will always point at it.


++++


Counter spell

Foil magical tracking-

[PotatoJedi]

The problem with that drawback is what happens if you track say a car and your phone? How will the car relay any of that information? What about something like…

Name: Tracker
Range: Touch/Same Realm
Casting Time: 2 Rounds
MP Cost: 4
Duration: 1 Week

You touch a device with a display capable of outputting simple data, such as a mobile phone, and another electronically-powered device, such as another phone, car, or watch, or a creature such as a robot. For the duration, the longitude and latitude coordinates of both things are transmitted to each other, as an unencrypted, unsecured wireless network is established. Any other device capable of connecting to a wireless network is capable of tapping into this network and viewing the data. The network is transmitted up to 10m around each thing, after which the signal becomes too weak for ordinary devices to detect. Both things must have power in order for this spell to work. Should either of them lose access to power, the spell ceases to transmit information until they are both powered again.



EDIT: well looks like Logan beat me to it. Didn't see your message as I was busy typing this one

[logan9a]

Name: Tracker
Range: Touch (to cast, then 10km max range)
Casting Time: 2 Rounds
MP Cost: 2 per hour
Duration: Until the caster stops it

Material components needed - something with an arrow (like a compass) and something the size of a packet of cigarettes with some sort of electronics stuff within. Cast the spell while touching both. Place the electronic thing within what you want tracked. So long as it is within 10 KM and you wish to continue to spend magic points, the arrow will always point at it. Only one thing may be tracked at a time by the caster.

[PotatoJedi]

Sounds good to me. A lot simpler than what I was going for. I seem to enjoy making overly complex spells…

[logan9a]

Simple is better - always better.