Which Makes Sense as the Messenger/Spy?
I got an idea for an animula with a messenger related power, and by extension, can also be used for espionage, recording what others say through a magical messenger that the creator sends out.
The two options for this thought are Mouse or Dove that I've been going back and forth on.
Mouse would have Word of Mouse, where from their backpack, they send out a magical mouse (a little golem or toy), they tell it their message and sends it to whoever they want to receive the message, or send the mouse/mice out to listen in and record the conversation of others. When they come back to their master, I just envision them rising up like the grasshopper mouse, opening their mouth, and playing what they got to hear.
Additional details to this option:
pun off word of mouth
the tool being a backpack can play off packrat
the pack having multiple mice can play off a rat king with all those mice linked to the user
and being a messenger can be a nod to Ratatoskr of Norse mythology who delivered messages running up and down the world tree
.
Dove in turn would have Little Birds, which from their book, a blank sheet of paper would turn into a paper bird that becomes animated. Words are recorded from what's spoken aloud, and it'll fly to the messenger, or fly to follow and record whoever the user wants to spy on.
Additional details:
pun off "a little bird told me"
can work off doves as guiding birds and discovering opportunities/means of progress
can have a "bird's eye view" on events
doves and pigeons do have a history as messenger birds, especially during both WW
Who should have the role of being the messenger/spy?
Mouse
Dove
