I heard that spirit speak was being looked at for alteration(s). Regardless, I vaguely remember a ghost with GM spirit speak being able to speak to all players clearly. If that could be added, that'd be just swell. A low grade heal would be neato (while alive of course). What would you like Spirit Speak to become?
Use in home you are friended to, force manifestation of all ghosts within the home for 30s, with 0 skill applied. In the field, same effect, at GM, perhaps progressive through the skill range for chance to show and duration of manifestation.
I like Gideon's idea a lot. I'd be happy just with being able to charm undead but healing would be neat, too. What do you target when you just want to use the skill to understand ghosts? Yourself, maybe?
When did this come into play? I would suggest having them use more than 1 control slot, or a tier'd system if this was implemented. Otherwise, could someone technically charm 8 ancient liches or lich lords and farm ancient/lich lords super easily?
Perhaps a glint of necromancy as well as give purpose to mercenary hireable NPC's? Hire NPC, use spirit speak will turn hireable into a (oh good lord) "balanced" but buffed undead mercenary. Use while in range of recently killed monsters, aoe heal all friendlies to player. Ug, hell hath froze over. I'm making game changing suggestions. What the hell is in this Monster Coffee drink? Seriously though for a moment, I think passively seeing ghosts is damn spot on. I'm running around dungeons right now as a ghost as a little experiment. I've found 3 spotters thus far. Yeah I know, I'm using a spotter to spot spotters so when I spot I can spot.
I don't think we need to make it too complicated. Here are my suggestions (as one of the few players, I'm guessing, who actually has a Spirit Speak character) At GM: 1) Passively see ghosts 2) Can be understood by others as a ghost Optional 3) you can cast spells using a little less mana than normal. At GM or lower (these are optional): Have the ability to charm undead, with each undead taking up appropriate control slots (1 for skeleton, 2 for zombies, 3 for wraiths, up to 8 for ancient lich or whatever's the toughest undead. These numbers can be adjusted. I'm not the best for deciding this part). No daemons. Undead only. Healing them with additional use of spirit speak is an option but I'd be happy without it. or: When using the skill around undead, you are able to tap into their life force. This hurts them a little bit and heals you. Doesn't have to be a 1-to-1 ratio, could be whatever's decided that isn't overpowering.
They're only useless if you approach the game from a power-gamey point of view. I think I could have a lot of fun with an army of skeletons and wraiths.
Just wanted to link a post I had made over a year ago: http://uorforum.com/threads/spirit-speak-and-bards-animate-the-dead.5861/ I also think spirit speak should be used to allow you to see ghosts which are not in combat mode. It would be a nice, simple change that would not conflict with era accuracy in an excessive way. I think you could file it under history perfected.
What if I cast Blade Spirits and I want to get rid of it, as I usually do at some point before it attacks me or my party members?
What's the logical connection between this skill and ability? I am just curious to know why you've tied them together.
