beating the CS with magic pigeon

[gelidus]

So seeing how these things can fly through walls and such (if memory serves) How many of these things do you think emperor prosak gets an hour? I mean given the small amount of ppe they cost heck...on a layline you could send him thousands of the things with a really annoying word or any word till he had to start making checks vs insanity.


Thoughts on this plan and why it would not work? (other then the power of plot please)

[csbioborg]

I don't have th spell in front of me
but Prosek is typically hidden
he has body doubles
so the caster dosen't know where he is
the caster has never met prosek
and whoever is casting in undoubtably going to get tracked down by CS mind mtlers and dog boys

[Zer0 Kay]

I don't have th spell in front of me
but Prosek is typically hidden
he has body doubles
so the caster dosen't know where he is
the caster has never met prosek
and whoever is casting in undoubtably going to get tracked down by CS mind mtlers and dog boys

RMB pg 176 RUE pg 210
Magic Pigeon
Range: Immediate area
Duration: 2 months per level of spell caster.
Savings Throw: None
P.P.E.: Twenty
Through the means of a special incantation the spell caster is able
to create a mystic facsimile of a pigeon. The magic pigeon is able to
deliver a spoken (30 words or less) or written message to anyone,
anyplace in this world (in the same dimension). However, the spell
caster must know at least the general location of the recipient of the
message and a specific person (or two) to receive the message. Upon
reaching its destination it will seek out that person and immediately
deliver the message. If the recipient of the message is not at the prescribed
destination it will wait until he returns or until the spell duration
elapses and it fades away.
The magic pigeon looks exactly like a real pigeon, but needs no food
or rest; thus it can fly 720 miles every 24 hours at a speed of 30mph.
Normal weapons can not harm or capture the pigeon, but magic spells
of entrapment can capture it. Only a dispel magic spell can destroy it.

Depends how loose you define "general location" North America... CS territories... Chi-Town... Level 1... Throne Room? Reguardless I think it would be better if everyone just sent a ton to the throne room that would just wait there for his return and then just start blurting.

[Zer0 Kay]

However! If this was a normal occurance it is spoken or written and all Prosek would have to do is plug his ears. Now what if the written message was in fact a magic circle of some sort? To borrow from OOTS written on a piece of paper "I prepared Explosive Runes this morning." accompanied by a boom as the runes detonate... of course that is a D&D spell but there MUST be a way to finaggle (sp?) that in Rifts.

[Nekira Sudacne]

Magic pidgeon only carries verbal messages. You can't tie written messages to it.

[jaymz]

Magic pidgeon only carries verbal messages. You can't tie written messages to it.

As per the spell as Zero Kay pointed out yes you indeed can send a written message.

[SkyeFyre]

I don't see where it could get through the walls of Chi-Town.

anyplace in this world (in the same dimension).

I know it can be debated on what was intended by that statement but one side of the coin says that it means literally anyplace in the world.

[Shark_Force]

I don't see where it could get through the walls of Chi-Town.

anyplace in this world (in the same dimension).

I know it can be debated on what was intended by that statement but one side of the coin says that it means literally anyplace in the world.

TW device: magic pigeon + death word ^^

now that would be an interesting device to see...

[gelidus]

ok even assuming they cant fly through the walls. You have to assume its going to fly through a door or a open window or a vent (yes Im using some logic in rifts sorry) Also the thrown room would be a good spot to have them wait...although I doubt it needs to be that detailed of a location. Given the spell it seems a town would be more then enough.

[gelidus]

Nega-Psychic, World Book 12.

CS Citizen: "Argh! My new suit. Dang magic pigeons."
CS Nega-Psychic: "Not to worry, sir. I'll handle that."
*Magic Pigeon instantly disappears in the distance, and damage on the new suit is gone*
CS Citizen: "That's great, and this is wonderful. Thank you, sir. Here, take a cream puff and a bottle of water for a snack for your troubles."
CS Nega-Psychic: "Oh my. Why, thank you. You have a good day, sir."
CS Citizen: "You too, buddy. Take it easy."

One guy on a lay line is still gonna be able to pump out way more then the nega psyhic can kill with out long rest in between....


With that said I still liked your example :b

[Zer0 Kay]

Magic pidgeon only carries verbal messages. You can't tie written messages to it.

I've got it freaking quoted right there Nekira it says "The magic pigeon is able to deliver a spoken (30 words or less) or written message to anyone" So unless written message no longer means written message. Now what it probably means is that since it is a magic pidgeon it likely mystically displays a written message rather than carying one.

[Zer0 Kay]

ok even assuming they cant fly through the walls. You have to assume its going to fly through a door or a open window or a vent (yes Im using some logic in rifts sorry) Also the thrown room would be a good spot to have them wait...although I doubt it needs to be that detailed of a location. Given the spell it seems a town would be more then enough.

Well since normal weapons and traps can not contain it... then I'd vote for it being incorporeal and thereby able to go through walls. Other wise if it is indeed a physical manifestation and not just magic energy that looks like a pidgeon you are now able to tie a grenade to its leg or lather it up with a nice bacterial agent. Or since it can't be destroyed by weapons they should have used them as an anti air curtain talk about a freaking awesome bird strike or sent a bunch to clog the ventilation shafts of Chi-Town. "What Happened?" "The fan was stuck on a pidgeon, suprised it didn't chop the thing up... unfortunately the motor is burnt out now."

As far as a town... a town in the wilderness is much smaller with a lot fewer people than say Chi-Town.

[Killer Cyborg]

They probably have a Nega-Psychic as one of Prosek's bodyguards.
Also, even though they can't be captured by weapons, I don't think I'd assume that magic pigeons can fly through walls.

But there might be a bunch sitting on the outside of Chi-Town.

[Zer0 Kay]

They probably have a Nega-Psychic as one of Prosek's bodyguards.
Also, even though they can't be captured by weapons, I don't think I'd assume that magic pigeons can fly through walls.

But there might be a bunch sitting on the outside of Chi-Town.

Then through the airducts it is and the jamming and burning out of fan motors.

[gelidus]

You cant see a buncha teen age magic casters on a lay line just casting hundred of magic pigeons to him? It would be the ultimate teen age prank call. I dont think his normal body guard could take care of that unless he has a few dozen of them hanging around him.

[Balabanto]

I don't see where it could get through the walls of Chi-Town.

anyplace in this world (in the same dimension).

I know it can be debated on what was intended by that statement but one side of the coin says that it means literally anyplace in the world.

TW device: magic pigeon + death word ^^

now that would be an interesting device to see...

You don't need it. The magic pigeon can deliver the death word assuming you have the create scroll spell. Of course, this is an 11th level spell, which means it has to be earned rather than purchased, and your chances of getting this are slim to none with slim having left five minutes ago. BUT, it IS possible for an 11th level Mage to do this.

[gelidus]

Isn't Prozek married? He should be used to tuning out someone nagging in his ear.

Hahahaha. nope I think she is dead.

Anyone have a cannon answer to that?

[Zer0 Kay]

Isn't Prozek married? He should be used to tuning out someone nagging in his ear.

Hahahaha. nope I think she is dead.

Anyone have a cannon answer to that?

Last I recall hearing about her was she was rescued by cyberknights and now is kept in seclusion.

[gelidus]

Okay so after taking crap from his wife you really think he is gonna wanna hear alot of "I did you mom...I did your wife" From a buncha magic pigeons ?

[Shark_Force]

I don't see where it could get through the walls of Chi-Town.

anyplace in this world (in the same dimension).

I know it can be debated on what was intended by that statement but one side of the coin says that it means literally anyplace in the world.

TW device: magic pigeon + death word ^^

now that would be an interesting device to see...

You don't need it. The magic pigeon can deliver the death word assuming you have the create scroll spell. Of course, this is an 11th level spell, which means it has to be earned rather than purchased, and your chances of getting this are slim to none with slim having left five minutes ago. BUT, it IS possible for an 11th level Mage to do this.

nope, that would deliver a scroll of death word, which the emperor could then use to read and cast the spell. that's just not quite the same thing

[Prince Artemis]

Prosec has more to worry about with the Summon Pawn circle than any pigeon

[Zer0 Kay]

I wonder if the Magic Pigeon can tell the difference between two identical persons? Could a Magic Pigeon tell the difference between a robot look alike and the real person? I know it states in the spell description that it will seek out that person, but it doesn't really say it will be able to "recognize" the person. Even if you show the Magic Pigeon a picture of him, does that mean the Magic Pigeon is going to find a picture of him on the wall and deliver the message? Because I get the feeling that the phrase "specific person", is just giving a description for the Magic Pigeon to deliver the message to, but I don't see anything mentioning about recognition, let alone confirmation, during the spell. Which could lead to anyone fitting the given description could intercept the message.

Am I the only person who is getting this feeling?

CS Trooper (Who looks like Karl Prosek): "Awww, what a nice looking bird. Here have some bird seeds I just got from the pet store."
Magic Pigeon: "Your lady had a really good time last night with me."
CS Trooper:
*Magic Pigeon disappears*

It is magic... yes it can. Just like teleport doesn't teleport you to someplace that "looks" like the place your imagining.

[Zer0 Kay]

How's this... if Dim-Mak can work over a telephone line... can it work over pigeon? Can it work over telepathy? What about over Leyline?

[Zer0 Kay]

It is magic... yes it can. Just like teleport doesn't teleport you to someplace that "looks" like the place your imagining.

I suppose it could recognize the being as the genuine person to deliver the message. But I still remind open to the possibility that it could go the other way though, because there is currently no further details about the spells capabilities in this regard in the spell description.

Stocking Employee: "Where do you want to put these boxes?"
Department Manager: "Over there. There is plenty of room before we can start putting them out on the sales floor."
Stocking Employee: "Wow, how many boxes are there?"
Department Manager: "Hmmm, according to the delivery slip, . . . let's see, . . boxes, boxes, . . 48."
Stocking Employee: "Alright. Wow, their kind of light."
Department Manager: "Yeah, just new handbags and other merch."
Stocking Employee: "Whoa! Okay, that's sort of heavy."
Department Manager: "What do you mean? According to the delivery notes, they are all under twenty pounds."
Stocking Employee: "Seriously, we got to check inside this one."
Department Manager: "Okay, let's check, maybe the warehouse mixed up our store orders."
*They cut open the box and finds a head in it. They check the other boxes, and find the rest of the body that goes with the head*
ISS Spector: "Well, from our investigation, it appears this individual teleported to this spot, given body's severing points match exactly to the boxes themselves. What a way to go."
Department Manager: "Oh man, we got lots of cleaning to do."

How's this... if Dim-Mak can work over a telephone line... can it work over pigeon? Can it work over telepathy? What about over Leyline?

I'm not sure about an ordinary telephone or video communications. Maybe be a Techno-Wizard communications device might be possible. The whole thing with the magic pigeon delivering the deathword, in my opinion, won't work, because you need to spend 70 P.P.E. to activate that particular spell, and the magic pigeon isn't exactly a Doppleganger.

I think question here is, . . . can a casted spell piggyback on another casted spell?

According to the rules there is only a 1% chance of failing a teleport to a well known location and only a 2% chance of that 1% of it being instantly fatal so with a familiar location there is only a .02% chance of it being instantly fatal. .3, .4, .84, 1.6 percent chance for the respective catagories after "familiar".

The telephone bit... I think your confused. Dim-Mak is a martial arts power that is stated as being able to work over telephone lines so if it is able to work over telephone lines can it work over the others? Dim-Mak take no PPE or ISP it takes Chi.

So even if it isn't an incantation can a line drawing or diabolist/rune/circle magic work?

[sHaka]

You have to know the person and his/her general location. This we know though the specifics are slightly vague.

It makes no sense that Magic users who've only seen Prosek on a screen and don't know the layout of Chi-town only heard rumours of throne rooms and level 1 can spam the emperor with Magic Pigeons, so why interpret it that way?

[Lenwen]

whoever is casting in undoubtably going to get tracked down by CS mind mtlers and dog boys

I highly doubt this ..

[Zer0 Kay]

You have to know the person and his/her general location. This we know though the specifics are slightly vague.

It makes no sense that Magic users who've only seen Prosek on a screen and don't know the layout of Chi-town only heard rumours of throne rooms and level 1 can spam the emperor with Magic Pigeons, so why interpret it that way?

For the same reason that a magic user could possibly teleport to the throne room having never been there and only having heard about it by name.

ITS MAGIC!

[rat_bastard]

Death Curse to me is a far worse spell, read up on it.

[Zer0 Kay]

whoever is casting in undoubtably going to get tracked down by CS mind mtlers and dog boys

I highly doubt this ..

Yeah sure cuz it leaves a trail of magic pidgeon droppings... especially on cars and statues.

[Balabanto]

Death Curse to me is a far worse spell, read up on it.

Yeah, but that requires a completely different technique, where I dominate people, teach them Death Curse, and then have someone else shapeshift into Karl Prosek and murder the poor sod. As far as I can tell, if the victim believes Karl Prosek whacked him, Prosek gets hit by Death Curse.

[drewkitty ~..~]

This is a nice place to repost Flatline's "magic pigeon of death"

Magic Pigeon of Death
Range and Duration: as per Magic Pigeon 
PPE: 50 + 10 per 1D6MD (no upper limit).
this spell creates a magic pigeon very similar to the magic pigeon created using the magic pigeon spell (there is no visual difference between the two).the 
major difference between a magic pigeon and a magic pigeon of death is that once the magic pigeon of death arrives at its destination, it explodes. the damage is kinetic (it's a concussion blast) and does full damage to everything within 5', 1D6 less damage to the next 5', 2D6 less to the next, and so on until there's no damage left.
example: a pigeon pumped with 30 additional PPE does 3D6 MD to everything in a 5' radius, 2D6 to everything between 5 and 10 feet away, 1D6 to everything between 10 to 15 feet and no damage to anything further (although flying particles will go further than that, perhaps getting is people's eyes if they're hell bent on looking at the explosion).
the magic pigeon of death will fly tirelessly at 30 miles per hour until it reaches its destination or until the duration expires.
in general, only places can be targetted. use the percentages given for the teleport spell. if the targetting is unsuccessful, the pigeon will fly in the general direction of the target for 4D6 hours before detonating (minum flight distance of 120 miles).
if the target is within line of sight (no maximum distance), the target can be a person or animal or power armor or robot or anything else the caster desires. if the magic pigeon of death loses visual contact with its target for more than 60 seconds (4 melees), the pigeon flies to the last location it saw its target and explodes there.this is not as useful as it sounds. a pigeon targetting a SAMAS will probably never catch up (although it could potentially follow the SAMAS for monthes if it was able to maintain line of sight uninterrupted for no more than 30 seconds at a time).
also, if a person is targetted and the person climbes into a robot or vehicle (and isn't visible through a window or door), the pigeon will fly to the location the person was when it lost sight of them and explode. if the vehicle has driven off, the pigeon does not give chase.
unlike the magic pigeon, the magic pigeon of death can be destroyed. any time the pigeon is hit by a MD attack, it becomes intangible for half a melee (this is not apparent visually, although it would appear on radar or sonar if the sensor tech was particularly observant) and become tangible again with 1D6 less payload.
if the pigeon is hit by a MD attack when it has OD6 payload, it disappears (yes, it is possible for a pigeon of death to reach its target and not explode).
example: a 3D6 MPoD is caught in a mini-missle explosion. the MPoD becomes intangible (still flying towards its target) for 7.5 seconds (half a melee) and becomes tangible again as a 2D6 MPoD. it would take 3 more hits spaced at least 7.5 seconds apart to make this pigeon disappear.
if an object that cannot be flown around comes between the MPoD and its target, the pigeon will fly into the object and do its normal damage. so if the MPoD is targetted at some room in the heart of chi town, and the MPoD cannot easily find a way into chi town, the pigeon will detonate on the surface of chi town.
the final bit about the MPoD is that even though the target is chosen when the spell is cast, the MPoD will wait until it is mentally directed by the caster to take off. this means over a period of time, a caster could create dozens of MPoDs and then when he's ready, send them all after their targets at the same time. the only risk is that the caster needs to make sure the MPoDs have enough time to reach their targets. mentally commanding the pigeons to take off requires none of the caster's attacks and incurs no penalty for the caster at all.
if the caster is killed before giving the take off command (or if he simply waits too long), the bird will fade away at the end of the spell duration

Flatline