Tech - Voice Modulator

[PotatoJedi]

Name: Voice Modulator
Range: Touch
Casting Time: 1 Minute
MP Cost: 6
Duration: Sunrise/sundown, whichever comes first, or until removed

You imbue a microphone with magic. So long as the microphone is making contact with your throat, it changes your voice to sound like that of another person that you are familiar with, chosen once when the spell is cast (GM has final say on what is "familiar" enough). If the microphone loses contact with your throat, the spell ends. You can duct tape, strap on or otherwise stick the microphone to your throat so that it does not fall off, or you may simply hold it in place. The microphone does not require external power when used in this way, but it does need to be functional.

[logan9a]

It's not bad but I'm thinking you could easily buy something on Amazon to alter your voice. Sure, you'd have to use a battery but it's not a huge deal. I'm wondering 'what sort of spells could we have that could not be done with already existing electronics'?

[PotatoJedi]

Yeah, the only difference with this is that it can replicate another voice. No technology on today's market can really do that… At least, not without needing a lot of editing and post-processing. Definitely not on-the-fly kind of thing.

I feel like I'm thinking of Tech Magic as something which augments already-existing technology in some way, rather than creating something completely new which is what I think you are suggesting. If that is what you're going for, then is there a limit to it? And… just as I'm typing this I thought of something else. I'll post it up and see what you think.

[logan9a]

Cool. Well, imitating someone else's voice IS potentially very nasty. I think the next thing then would be to set a minimum size on the microphone. Are we talking about a super small one that can be hidden? I must confess when I first read this, I was thinking "Mister Microphone" size - for balance. And I don't care if it is an old broken one- just fucking large.

Otherwise, you replace the skill 'mimicry'.

Part of my way of looking at these spells comes from some old lame D&D spell which could pick any lock. "Who needs the thief to pick locks then?" So I'd like to have new weird stuff rather than replace skill stuff. But with Mr. Microphone - maybe people's dreams of being able to sing just like (fill in the blank) could be realized.

I'd also make it so that it sounded like it but if subjected to close computer scrutiny it showed as fake - otherwise, too much potential BS.

[PotatoJedi]

Funny you should mention that. I originally had it written as "a large-sized microphone" but scrubbed it out as I wasn't too sure if that was going too far. Now that you explained your concern, I think it's actually not a bad idea. I think maybe something the size of a baseball perhaps? Kind of hard to hide that, even if you're wearing a big scarf. I'd also forgotten that the Mimicry spell existed, so that makes this spell rather redundant.

The problem I am having with tech spells is answering "well why can't I just do that with some other spell from another school?" So it has to be something that makes sense for it to only fit in the tech school.

[logan9a]

When I think about the tech school, the spells that normally come to mind are (we already have them, I know) are things that can frazzle electronics. Basically, messing with tech. Blowing it up. However, I think you've come up with some good spells that do things other than that. Like duct tape a wire from your laptop to some computer that doesn't have proper inputs. Neat.

I'd like to to have figured out some more weird tech stuff that couldn't be accomplished by simply going to a well stocked store ahead of time. Things that are low powered but not normally able to be done with a basket full of tech.

Clearly I have no ideas right now (WHISKEY) but I'm hoping you do. Or, we can let these 'simmer' and I can get you started on a new tree. Up to you. Sometimes, letting things simmer is a good idea - working on something completely different can (for weird reasons dealing with the subconscious) let you come up with other stuff for this tree.

[Scott]

So this one is out for obsoleting the Mimicry skill?

If it were in, and it weren't in the Tech tree...I'd suggest the material component, instead of a microphone, be a hat which must cover your face...as a nod to Peter Pan.

[PotatoJedi]

lol nice idea for the hat. I'm pretty sure this isn't getting added though. We have Mimicry. All this will do is make it a better Mimicry (in some ways).