Thursday, April 15, 2010

New magic-user spell: Spellcheck

Yeah, I know, har har. Working title only, folks.

Anyway, this is just part of my recent musing on "counterspells" in (A)D&D.

Spellcheck
Arcane Enchantment/Charm
Level: Magic-User 3
Range: 120'
Duration: 1d3 rounds +1 round/two caster levels (round down)
Area of Effect: One spellcasting creature
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 3 segments
Saving Throw: Negates

The target of this spell must be a single spellcasting creature. "Spellcasting" in this case means that the target casts pre-memorized spells in the fashion of a cleric, magic-user, or other regular PC class. Innate spell-like abilities alone are not sufficient, nor is magic item use, and neither of these functions are impaired in any way by Spellcheck. If the initial saving throw versus spells fails, the target must roll another save versus spells each time spellcasting is attempted during the duration of Spellcheck. Failure indicates that the spell in question is not successfully cast and is instead expended without effect. This spell's suggested material component is an iron padlock, which can be any size (even downright miniature), so long as its design and workmship permits it to function. This item is consumed utterly upon casting of the spell.

1 comment:

  1. This is a VERY powerful spell, potentially, but I like it. I do worry about the fact that a failed save expends the spell anyway... Maybe another save to retain the spell?

    It might be worth specifying a gp value for the lock. Maybe even increasing or decreasing the difficulty of the saving throw based on the value of the lock used?

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