Telepathy - 3rd law violation or not?

[BumblingBear]

I was thinking about having my character use telepathy to get around not having a cell phone, but I want to make sure it's not a third law violation.

Based on my understanding of the RAW, it is not because you're not actually "in" someone's head.  You are not reading their mind, simply picking up what they're projecting (after you make contact).

Thoughts?

[Shecky]

Mm, two-way telepathy is the issue; you'd have to have some way to plant your voice in the other person's head, and that's thin-ice territory unless you're using enchanted items as the equivalent to cell phones, much like the speaking stones in Changes.

[BumblingBear]

Mm, two-way telepathy is the issue; you'd have to have some way to plant your voice in the other person's head, and that's thin-ice territory unless you're using enchanted items as the equivalent to cell phones, much like the speaking stones in Changes.

I had forgotten about those.  Good to know.

That also limits the power a bit to only people that my character has actually given a stone to.  I like that.

Magic is cool, but I don't want anything to be too-too easy.

[My Dark Sunshine]

Or if you have a certain someone in mind, you could try forging a bond similar to that between

(click to show/hide)

Harry and Elaine

. Unless my memory is completely off (it happens), they could communicate telepathically.

[Drachasor]

One-way is definitely ok, we see it done in one of the books.

[MijRai]

We've had evidence that you can send out messages, if you are Senior Council Level or are close/have their Name along with magical talent. Now, I think they would have to send back to have a conversation, looking into theirt mind to see their response gets too close to the Law for my tastes.

[batmanjr]

Enchant two notepads.  What is written on one, will appear on the other, and can be replied to in the same manner.

Similar to the stones concept, but I think has more of a "Harry" feel to it.

[devonapple]

Enchant two notepads.  What is written on one, will appear on the other, and can be replied to in the same manner.

Similar to the stones concept, but I think has more of a "Harry" feel to it.

With echoes of "Fringe." A clever idea! Actually, knowing Harry's Wal-Mart source, would we go with two cheap notepads, or two of those Magic Slate wax tablets? Edit: I can imagine one of them getting nabbed by Ghouls as they kidnap the tablet bearer - the person with the other tablet sees little wax divots from Ghoul teeth, some bad doodling, and then more teeth mark divots before the ritual association gets broken entirely.

[devonapple]

I think you were around when I brought this up in a similar thread, but if not, here is a link:
http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,23572.0.html

[Drachasor]

With echoes of "Fringe." A clever idea! Actually, knowing Harry's Wal-Mart source, would we go with two cheap notepads, or two of those Magic Slate wax tablets?

I think it is more of a reference to The Sword of Truth, but that turned into Objectivist nonesense, so I suppose going with Fringe is better.

[Shecky]

Or it could be taken from D&D.

[Drachasor]

Or it could be taken from D&D.

I can't for the life of me think of anything that works like that in D&D...not with two notebooks and writing.

[MrWiggles]

Isn't there an issue with consent with the third law as well?

The Merlin example, he could assume consent for directing how to handle the dangerous situation, being the Merlin.

[Drachasor]

Isn't there an issue with consent with the third law as well?

The Merlin example, he could assume consent for directing how to handle the dangerous situation, being the Merlin.

You can't assume permission.  That has to be given.

However, the Third Law isn't "never send people telepathic messages" or "never use telepathy in any form" it is "Never INVADE the THOUGHTS of another."  Sending a message is not poking around in their head.  We see it twice in the books, once between two wizards sending messages back and forth, and once one-way (by the Merlin).  If you aren't looking at their thoughts in some way, then you aren't invading their mind, imho. 

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Molly invade Luccio, apparently, when she just looked around to make sure nothing was screwed up, I can see how that would require poking at thoughts and such even if you don't get anything specific on what those thoughts are.

You do bring up an interesting point though.  If someone gives you permission to check out their head, that seems like an invitation to me, and hence that person wouldn't be invading (unless the violate the mind in some fashion while they are there...like a really bad houseguest).    The books don't really go over that, but they do go over how people get their minds messed with and are being treated for it.  Seems like there'd be some element of permitted poking around to assess the damage and find a good way to fix that up.

[Shecky]

I can't for the life of me think of anything that works like that in D&D...not with two notebooks and writing.

The concept of linking two things is an old one in D&D. Let's not get our vision too narrow here.