From: hobbit@ac.dal.ca (Colin Roald) Subject: ADD: Useful Divination Spells and other neat tricks Date: 11 May 90 16:09:07 GMT All right, I'm using a bunch of the spells posted a couple of weeks ago, so I figure I'll return the favour, with some of my own. I rather like them--neat utility spells that are most useful outside combat. Feel free to use them-- change the wizard's names and let your favourite NPC wizards invent them. Hey, every wizard needs a couple of personal spells to make him interesting. I hate to be a drag, but these are personal use only. (c) copyright 1990 Colin Roald. GUILDA'S TREACHEROUS TRIPWIRE (1) sch ench; rng tch; cmp vsm; dur 1 min/lvl; ct 1; AoE 1 tripwire; save neg One wire (up to 10' long) can be stretched across a hall, or such. The wire becomes camouflaged--undetectable w/o find traps. The first creature to attempt to pass must save vs wands (add dex def. adj) or be caught when the wire springs free. The wire will twine tightly about the ankles of its victim, tripping him. It must then be tediously untangled (or sawed loose) which will take at least 30 sec under ideal conditions. If hacked loose in combat, it will take 1 round, and the victim will take 1d4 dmg unless an enchanted blade is used (which will cut effortlessly). Note that wire is required, but not consumed. The material component is a small spring. GUILDA'S SNEAKABOUT LIGHT (2) sch alt; rng 5'; cmp vsm; dur 10min+ 1min/lvl; CT 2; AoE 5' rad; save none Creates a dim, floating light of variable intensity that follows the caster. At its brightest, it is enough to read with good eyesight, and it can be extinguished and restored at will during the duration. No light produced by the spell escapes the 5' rad, preventing the caster from being given away by his light--so this spell is ideal for thieves. Note that background light pentrates the AoE freely, so the caster is in no way concealed by this spell. RHUVA'S SPELLSCAN (3) sch div; rng 0; cmp vsm; dur 4hr+10min/lvl; ct 1min; AoE 10yd/lvl rad; save none Provided the caster is conscious and within the area of effect, he will be made aware of any spell-casting conducted in that area. The particular spell cast is not made known, but the location of the wizard is, precisely if the caster is familiar with the area, generally otherwise. The notification is sufficient to disrupt casting in progress, unless it is consciously suppressed before casting. (If suppressed, caster does not realize the scan was triggered.) Material component is a handful of crystal dust. JUSTIN'S MENTAL MAP (4) sch div; rng 1 mile; cmp vsm; dur perm; ct 10min; AoE 1 mile rad; save none Outdoors only, this spell gives the caster an aerial view of the countryside within 1 mile of the caster. Only large features visible from above are noted, like rivers, woods, fields, large buildings, and clearings, but not people, caves, small streams, or the like. Material component is powdered pineal gland. RHUVA'S COUNTER-SCRY (4) sch div; rng 0; cmp vsm; dur 8hr; ct 4; AoE 20yd rad; save special The caster will automatically detect any scrying attempt in the AoE. The scryer must make a save vs spells to realize that the scrying is being tampered with. If he does not immediately terminate the scrying, the caster of the counter-scry gets a clear image of the spy and a general location. He can cast any ranged spells through the link at the scryer, who receives all normal saves. The caster of the counter-scry can also simply jolt the scryer, causing the connection to be terminated. The detection of a scrying attempt will interrupt spell-casting. (I suggest that "detect scrying" be made a level 2 spell, with a more limited duration and vaguer description of the scryer.) RHUVA'S TRACKER (4) sch div; rng 10yd/lvl; cmp vsm; dur 1 day; ct 4; aoe 1 creature/object; save neg The mage casts this spell, and hurls a small carved scarab at a target within range. A creature or object in a creature's possesion gets a save to avoid the scarab. It clings invisibly to its victim, noticed only in a determined search. The caster then always knows where the victim is (distance & direction), provided it is within one mile/lvl, and the target is not enclosed in lead. The tracker can be renewed each morning by recasting the spell. VANDER'S LIBRARIAN (4) sch c/s; rng 20 yds; cmp vs; dur 6hr; CT 1 min; aoe 1 minor spirit; save none This spell conjures a minor knowledge spirit to search for books and references for the wizard. It can search for titles, specific references, or general subject matter, finding books in the time it would take a reasonably skilled librarian (depends on case). The wizard is freed to concentrate on more interesting matters, so this spell roughly doubles a wizard's research efficiency. RHUVA'S WIZARD STOMPER (5) (A must for every paranoid king!) sch div/evoc; rng 0; cmp vsm; dur 4hr+10min/lvl; ct 5min; aoe 10yd/lvl; save spc Designed to prevent the casting of spells in the area of effect, the wizard stomper produces a nearly uncontrollable surge of energy into a wizard who attempts to draw power for a spell. The victim must save vs spells at -6. Failure means the spell is aborted and the caster takes 1d6 dmg per level of the spell attempted. If the save is made, the spell can be cast at +1 on all damage dice, but at double normal casting time. If a wizard has been stomped before, and knows what to expect, the save is only at -3. Material component is a handful of ruby dust worth at least 25 gp. JUSTIN'S SKIMMER (6) sch evoc; rng 20 yd; cmp vsm; dur 1/2hr/lvl; ct 6; aoe 1 skimmer; save none An improved form of Tenser's floating disc, the skimmer is designed as a flying vehicle for the caster. The wizard reclines in a molded seat at the centre of the 3' radius disc. The "wings" each have room for one person, or a comparable volume of cargo. It can lift 50lbs per level of the caster. The skimmer can move at speeds up to 25 mph (approx move 70), and has maneuverability class A at speeds less than move 21. The caster is protected from acceleration, passengers are not. When stopped, the skimmer can rotate on a dime. The caster has full cover from below. The skimmer can take 5hp/lvl of caster. Ramming, it does (move/3)d6 damage to both itself and the target. Only the caster can control the skimmer; it hovers motionless if he is unconscious. The skimmer is a stable casting platform. Well, I hope you like. Have fun, the hobbit.