I was sitting in my chair at my desk after a long week. I work from home, and the best spot for my home office is my home office. So for over a year it has been both my work place and my play place.
So I sat here with my eyes closed, my mind adrift. I recalled that tomorrow will the the deadline for the One Page Dungeon Contest. I haven’t yet done anything, but am hoping to come up with an idea. Suddenly it hit me, a cool name. I went to write it down and the name was gone. I still have the kernel of an idea, but wish I had that name.
I closed my eyes again, and drifted. I thought, “I really should post about the latest package I got in from Wayne’s Books.” I continued to let my mind drift. As before, I came close to dozing off. I had several other blog ideas come to me. I sat up to write them down and thought of something at the last minute – I need to officially schedule time off for a couple of conventions. I wrote that down and noted to post something about my package from Wayne’s Books. I went to write down the 3 or 4 other ideas I had, and they were gone….
I don’t know why, but I have this ability to get these really cool ideas that I can see the whole thing, but before I can just make a note to hold the place of that idea, it vanishes.
Usually, when I get ideas like that, I don’t loose the bulk of them, I can at least get two or three of them noted before they fade.
It’s supposed to be too chilly and wet to put in my garden this weekend, so I’ll try chasing nebulous ideas and whipping them into shape so I can share them with others.
As I was proofreading the above, I had an idea for a spell:
The Ungraspable Thought
Level: 3
Range: 1″ per level
Duration: Permanent
Area of Effect: 2″ x 2″
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 3 segments
Saving Throw: Negates
This spell causes those affected to be unable to solve the nagging feeling that they know something. The caster must name the idea, concept, or fact that the one affected cannot grasp. It must be quick and simply stated.
For example, “You cannot know me, my description, or my location.” This will prevent those affected from getting a handle on who the caster is, what he looks like, or where to find him. The one affected will continually ask, “Where are we going?” “Who are we after?” “What does she look like?”
A magical trap might cause adventurers who find a treasure to never be able to re-trace their steps.
The material component is refined smoke, costing 100 gold pieces. The caster can make it with the outlay of 100 gp for processing it.
A save versus spell negates the effect. A more general and broad command will add +2 to the roll. For example, an evil wizard telling a sage to lose the names and faces of everyone they meet.
