A command word, or a trigger word, was a word that needed to be spoken aloud to activate a magical effect. A command word or words could be any word, though common words were often avoided so as to avoid activating a magical effect accidentally. Often a command word was a seemingly nonsensical word or a word from an ancient language.[1]
In the time after the fall of Myth Drannor, it was common for several centuries to hide a command word inside a more easily memorized phrase. However, this fell out of use after too many magics were unintentionally activated. In the 1300s DR, command words were best described as elegant nonsense.[2]
Overwords were command words that could activate many magical effects, spells, or items. Several wizards attempted to learn these words and chapbooks of them were sold at every Mage Fair.[2]
The spells identify and analyze dweomer could both reveal command words.[1]
Magic Items[]
Many magical items needed command words to activate them.[1] Often, command words could be found written right on a magical item. Sometimes, the word might be hidden in a pattern or design. Command words were placed in a magic item during the Mastering step of magic item creation.[3]
Appendix[]
| This article is incomplete. You can help the Forgotten Realms Wiki by providing more information. |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, Skip Williams (July 2003). Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 213. ISBN 0-7869-2889-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 32. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (1996). Volo's Guide to All Things Magical. (TSR, Inc), p. 17. ISBN 0-7869-0446-1.