There are large and small crickets, each was unique.
Full Description
The cricket idea sparked one of my own - let's say that the crickets do not sing according to temperature, but to the magical field of the area, the intensity reflecting the strength of the field, while the tune telling of the kind of magic, and the flow patterns.
A wizard who understands the cricket melody might gain a slight bonus, or cast his spells 5% cheaper.
Giant crickets (about ten inches long) sing different songs - when they are in the presence of a spell they find cool (don't ask me what a bug might find totally sweet) they learn its melody, and chirp away, the tune reflecting exactly the way reality shapes to accomodate the spell's effect.
Additional Information
A wizard studying the songs could learn more about his spells, or, if he learned to chirp, he might sing in concert with a giant cricket, replacing the vocal component/incantation, to enhance his spell effect.
A rescue adventure could be bringing the wizard's prized teleport-cricket back.
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- Insects (and Spiders and other creepy crawlies) by ephemeralstability Bound
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I like the idea, but until you tell me either how it works or what kind of spells crickets like I will not give you even one more sword. Harumph. :-)
but until you tell me either how it works
Okay. The cricket's have a strong sympathetic nervous system, the same kind of channels that magic users develop while learning magic. As it makes wizards and such more sensitive to magic, thus able to effect it, the crickets are more sensitive.
Normal crickets respond to heat energy in their environment. The more heat, the faster they can go (and need to go to maintain exothermic balance). Manna crickets do the same, but instead of radient heat energy, it is radient magical energy.
what kind of spells crickets like
I would think they like 'grow insect spells' or 'wishes', but more seriously. The type of spell is inconsequential. It is the amount of manna, energy channeled in the spell. So base it on the base energy cost of the spell, or if you are in a limited system, the level of the spell. The larger the number, the louders and faster they go.
Actually, they could like ANY spell, just a random one, whatever they take fancy in.
The ability could also come from their mating rituals, as they find fitting partners where the same magical field is. Wizards generate strong magical fields, so they are considered mightily sexy. :)
that was me ^
Bumpage! Strange, interesting ideas to make your worlds different from normal. Woo!
Good solid idea
I think that the natural world providing clues to magicians in the know is a great idea!
Wizards in urban areas may find themselves at a bit of a disadvantage since there are less 'natural' creatures about.