Animal Messenger

A
Utility

Animal Messenger is a Utility spell. Utility spells solve problems outside of combat or provide unique situational advantages.

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 spell that sends a beast to carry your words,
gathering information

Animal Messenger is a Information spell. Information spells provide ways to transmit, perceive, detect, or reveal hidden or unknown information.

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 and
guiding social contact

Animal Messenger is a Social Influence spell. Social Influence spells create ways to communicate, persuade, and alter behavior.

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 through a
Charisma save

Animal Messenger is a Save or Suck spell. Save or Suck spells fall entirely flat if the target succeeds on a saving throw.

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.

2024 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action or Ritual
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S, M (a morsel of food)
Duration
24 hours
Classes
Bard, Druid, Ranger

A Tiny Beast of your choice that you can see within range must succeed on a Charisma saving throw, or it attempts to deliver a message for you (if the target's Challenge Rating isn't 0, it automatically succeeds). You specify a location you have visited and a recipient who matches a general description, such as "a person dressed in the uniform of the town guard" or "a red-haired dwarf wearing a pointed hat." You also communicate a message of up to twenty-five words. The Beast travels for the duration toward the specified location, covering about 25 miles per 24 hours or 50 miles if the Beast can fly. When the Beast arrives, it delivers your message to the creature that you described, mimicking your communication. If the Beast doesn't reach its destination before the spell ends, the message is lost, and the Beast returns to where you cast the spell.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The spell's duration increases by 48 hours for each spell slot level above 2.

2014 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S, M (a morsel of food)
Duration
24 hours
Classes
Bard, Druid, Ranger

By means of this spell, you use an animal to deliver a message. Choose a Tiny beast you can see within range, such as a squirrel, a blue jay, or a bat. You specify a location, which you must have visited, and a recipient who matches a general description, such as "a man or woman dressed in the uniform of the town guard" or "a red-haired dwarf wearing a pointed hat." You also speak a message of up to twenty-five words. The target beast travels for the duration of the spell toward the specified location, covering about 50 miles per 24 hours for a flying messenger, or 25 miles for other animals.

When the messenger arrives, it delivers your message to the creature that you described, replicating the sound of your voice. The messenger speaks only to a creature matching the description you gave. If the messenger doesn't reach its destination before the spell ends, the message is lost, and the beast makes its way back to where you cast this spell.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3nd level or higher, the duration of the spell increases by 48 hours for each slot level above 2nd.

Animal Messenger 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

It now has the Ritual tag. The spell also no longer just lets you pick a Tiny beast automatically: the beast makes a Charisma save, and any beast with CR higher than 0 automatically succeeds, so in practice only CR 0 beasts can be used.

Animal Messenger popularity

Animal Messenger is a seldom chosen level 2 spell. Choosing it adds a unique option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Animal Messenger

  • Sending 3rd-level divination

    It directly sends a message across any distance and is the closest magical analogue for long‑range communication.

  • Message Transmutation cantrip

    Both provide a way to transmit short messages between creatures, though this one is short‑range and instantaneous.

  • Speak with Animals 1st-level divination

    This spell also centers on interacting with beasts and turning animals into a source of information or contact.

  • Magic Mouth 2nd-level illusion

    It creates a delayed, magical delivery of a spoken message at a chosen location, similar to using a creature to deliver words.

  • Beast Sense 2nd-level divination

    Both involve linking to an animal to extend your reach and gather or relay information through a beast.