From: kjenks@gothamcity.jsc.nasa.gov (Kenneth C. Jenks [GM2] (713) 483-4368) To: wsbusr1@urc.tue.nl Date: Mon, 14 Dec 92 22:47:42 CST Date: 2 Jan 93 02:21:56 GMT Subject: Re: Funny spells I have typed up a list of spells which player characters have researched in my campaign, or which my player characters have researched in other campaigns. These have all been play tested, and really do work well at the level indicated. We play by AD&D1 rules (PHB1, DMG1, MM1, DDG1, but no UA) with written house rules. Many of these duplicate the spell-like effects of magic items in the DMG1, since I require a spell caster who creates a magic item to cast a spell appropriate to the item, so a magic-user creating a Ring of Spell Turning would have to actually cast a Spell Turning spell. We have also had clerics and druids who have researched spells, but I don't allow cleric-types to share researched spell unless they worship the same deity. If you use them, please include attribution for the magic-users who created these spells. -- Ken Jenks, NASA/JSC/GM2, Space Shuttle Program Office kjenks@gothamcity.jsc.nasa.gov (713) 483-4368 ...who plays Paul (10th), Insley Hofton (13th), Shoogar (17th), and Bobby-Joe (22nd and now divinely ascended). ------------------------------------------------------------------- Improved Magic Missile (Evocation) Level: 2nd M-U Components: V, S Range: 6" + 1"/level Casting Time: 2 segments Duration: Special Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: One creature Researcher: Grimbor (Doug Newcomb) Explanation/Description: This spell is similar to the first level Magic Missile spell, except as noted above and for the fact that each missile inflicts 2-7 (d6 + 1) hit points of damage. Pointdexter's Dex Points (Alteration) Level: 2nd M-U Components: V, S, M Range: Touch Casting Time: 1 turn Duration: 6 turns/level Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: Creature touched Researcher: Pointdexter (J.R. Jenks) Explanation/Description: Similar to a Strength spell, this spell causes an increase of a character's dexterity for a limited duration. The spell may never increase a dexterity rating score beyond the maximum values set by race and sex. The amount of increase depends on the class of the character affected: Class Dexterity gain ----- -------------- Cleric 1-4 (d4) Fighter 1-6 (d6) Magic-user 1-6 (d6) Thief 1-8 (d8) Monk 1-8 (d8) For multi-class characters and characters with two classes, roll the die for whichever class is most favorable. The material component of this spell is a set of three small balls. Disrobe (Alteration) Level: 3rd M-U Components: V, S Range: 6" + 1"/level Casting Time: 3 segments Duration: Special Saving Throw: Neg. Area of Effect: One creature Researcher: Insley Hofton (Ken Jenks) Explanation/Description: The target of this spell must make a saving throw versus magic. Success indicates that the spell has no effect; failure means that all magical and non-magical items worn by the creature, excluding items held in hands, are stripped from the creature and strewn in a 3' radius. Items magically blink from the creature to the ground and will not be harmed by the fall unless the creature is flying more than 3' from the ground. (Note: Insley has a kinky streak. This was invented partly as an amusement, and partly to strip all those nasty magic items from the bad guys. It's best combined with Unseen Servant, Telekinesis, or light-fingered friends which can pick up the items thus removed.) Free Action (Alteration) Level: 3rd M-U Components: V, S, M Range: Touch Casting Time: 3 segments Duration: 2 turns/level Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: Creature touched Researcher: Pointdexter (J.R. Jenks) Explanation/Description: This spell enables the recipient to move and attack freely and normally whether attacked by entangle, web, hold, or slow spell, or when underwater. In the former case, the spells have no effect, while in the latter, the recipient can combat normally with hand-held combat (not missile) weapons. The material component is a drop of oil or a dab of grease. DM note: If the recipient has a familiar, it is affected as well for the duration of the spell, so long as it remains in contact with its master. Gaseous Form (Alteration) Reversible Level: 4th M-U Components: V, S, M Range: Touch Casting Time: 4 segments Duration: 1 turns/level Saving Throw: Neg. Area of Effect: Creature touched Researcher: Paul/Purple (Ken Jenks) Explanation/Description: This spell causes an individual, as well as non-living items which it carries or wears up to 1000 gp weight per level of the caster, to become gaseous in form and able to flow accordingly at a base speed of 3" per round, subject to wind conditions. The gaseous form cannot be physically harmed except by magical fires or lightnings, in which case damage is normal, but the gaseous creature may be affected by mind-related attacks such as charm, hold or suggestion spells. However, a whirlwind causes double damage to a creature in gaseous form. The spell lasts for the entire duration and can only be removed by the reverse of the spell. During this period, the creature can see and hear, but no magic items or spells may be used. Psionics (except for Body Weaponry and Shape Alteration) will function normally, and psionic combat can take place. Spells cast on the creature prior to this spell will remain in effect for their normal durations (e.g. Resist Fire, Protection from Lightning, et cetera). The reversal, Solidify Form, allows the gaseous creature touched a saving throw versus magic. If the creature touched fails the saving throw, the creature immediately resumes solid corporeal form and cannot resume gaseous form for the duration of the spell. The material component for Gaseous Form is a mouthful of smoke; the material component for Solidify Form is a mouthful of rock. DM note: If the caster casts this spell on himself, he may include his own familiar in the area of effect. If this spell, or its reversal, is cast on an unconcious or dead creature, it is allowed no saving throw. (Note: Gaseous Form was specifically invented for battling vampires with its reverse. Dimension Door is a much better escape spell, and Invisibility is a much better infiltration spell, but this one is fun to spring on new DM's.) X-Ray Vision (Divination) Level: 4th M-U Components: V, S Range: Touch Casting Time: 4 segments Duration: 1 round/level Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: Creature touched Researcher: Insley Hofton (Ken Jenks) Explanation/Description: The recipient of this spell gains the ability to see into/through substances which are impenetrable to normal sight. Vision range is 20', with the viewer seeing as if it were normal light due to expanded vision capability. X-ray vision can scan 100 square feet of area per round. Secret compartments, recesses, drawers, and doors will be located by X-ray vision. Substance Thickness Penetrated Maximum Scanned per Round of X-Raying Thickness --------- --------------------- --------- animal matter 4' 20' vegetable matter 2.5' 20' stone 1' 10' iron, steel, etc. 1 inch 10 inches lead, gold, platinum nil nil (Note: This was Insley's kinkiness surfacing again. With this and Disrobe, he's a real pest to the ladies.) Double Fly (Alteration) Level: 5th M-U Components: V, S, M Range: Touch Casting Time: 5 segments Duration: 1 turn/level Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: Creature touched Researcher: Shoogar (Ken Jenks) Explanation/Description: This spell is identical to the third level Fly spell, except as noted above and for the fact that movement is at 24". See DMG1, pg. 52, for notes on aerial combat. Doubled Magic Missile (Evocation) Level: 5th M-U Components: V, S Range: 6" + 1"/level Casting Time: 5 segments Duration: Special Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: One creature Researcher: Shoogar (Ken Jenks) Explanation/Description: This spell is identical to the first level Magic Missile spell, except as noted above and that one missile is cast per level of the magic-user. (Note: "By the book," this spell should be 3rd level, since it combines two first level spells, Magic Missile and Magic Missile, but play testing showed that 5th is the correct power level. This in turn implies that regular Magic Missile ought to be a 2nd level spell!) Spell Turning (Alteration) Level: 5th M-U Components: V, S, M Range: 0 Casting Time: 5 segments Duration: 5 rounds/level Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: Personal Researcher: Grimbor (Doug Newcomb) Explanation/Description: This spell distorts the three normal dimensions with respect to magic spells directed at the magic-user. Any spell cast at the magic-user will usually rebound, in part or perhaps in whole. When a spell is directed at the caster, percentile dice are rolled and rounded to the nearest decimal, i.e. 1-5 is dropped, 6-9 adds 10, so 05 equals 0% but 96 equals 100%. The score of the percentile dice indicates what portion has been turned. Damage is awarded proportionally. Saving throws for both opponents are adjusted upward by +1 for each 10% below 100%; i.e. 80% equals +2, 70% equals +3, ... 10% equals +9. See the table below. Spells which normally allow no saving throw may be negated of inflict half normal damage if a special saving throw is made. For each 10% of the spell turned, allow a save of 5% (1 in 20); see the table below. This special saving throw is not modified by race, magic items, or other conditions. die percentage saving throw special roll turned bonus saving throw ---- ---------- ------------ ------------ 01-05 0% -- -- 06-15 10% +9 20 16-25 20% +8 19 26-35 30% +7 18 36-45 40% +6 17 46-55 50% +5 16 56-65 60% +4 15 66-75 70% +3 14 76-85 80% +2 13 86-95 90% +1 12 96-00 100% -- -- Spell turning does not apply to spells which affect an area and are not cast directly at the magic-user, nor spells which are delivered by touch, nor magic delivered by devices or at-will abilities, such as rods, staves, wands, rings or other items, or monsters' abilities such as a devil's Hold Person or a storm giant's Lightning Bolt. If the attacking spell caster also has spell turning, either through ring or spell, the following table applies: 01-70 spell drains away without effect 71-80 spell affects both equally at full effect 81-97 both spells (or spell and ring) are drained permanently 98-00 both individuals sent through a rift to the Positive Material Plane The material component of the spell is a small silver mirror. Anti-Anti-Magic Shell (Evocation) Level: 6th M-U Components: V, S Range: 0 Casting Time: 1 segment Duration: 1 turn/level Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: 1'/level diameter Researcher: Grimbor (Doug Newcomb) Explanation/Description: This spell prevents the effects of an Anti-Magic Spell within its area of effect, provided that this spell is cast prior to the casting of the Anti-Magic Shell. (Note: Play testing shows that this is probably only a 5th level spell. It became necessary when an enemy archmage was found to favor anti-magic shell as a defense, and all of the good guys' nifty toys were suddenly useless.) Etherealness (Alteration) Level: 6th M-U Components: V, S Range: Touch Casting Time: 6 segments Duration: Permanent Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: Creature touched Researcher: Bobby-Joe (Ken Jenks) Explanation/Description: When this spell is cast, the creature touched is moved bodily to the Ethereal plane with all of its (non-living) equipment subject to a maximum weight of 2,500 gp plus 2,500 gp per level of the caster beyond 10th. The creature may then move from the Ethereal plane to any adjacent plane (the Prime-, Positive-, or Negative-Material planes, or the Elemental or Para-Elemental planes). Anti-Magic Spell within its area of effect, provided that this spell is cast prior to the casting of the Anti-Magic Shell. If the caster casts this spell upon himself, he may include his familiar within the weight limit. Giant Strength (Alteration) Level: 6th M-U Components: V, S, M Range: Touch Casting Time: 1 turn Duration: 6 turns + 1 turn/level Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: Creature touched Researcher: Grimbor (Doug Newcomb) Explanation/Description: When this spell is cast upon a fighter or cleric, the spell will increase his or her strength to that of a giant. The particular strength gained is determined randomly by a d20: Die Strength Giant To Hit Damage Score Equivalent Type Bonus Bonus ----- ---------- ----- ------ ------ 0 18/00 Ogre +3 +6 1-6 19 Hill +3 +7 7-10 20 Stone +3 +8 11-14 21 Frost +4 +9 15-17 22 Fire +4 +10 18-19 23 Cloud +5 +11 20-21 24 Storm +6 +12 The die score is modified by the following: -1 on the die roll if the recipient is below ninth level No adjustment if the recipient is between 9th and 15th level +1 on the die roll if the character is above 15th level Other information on boulders, opening doors, and bending/lifting gates can be found in the DMG1 under Girdle of Giant Strength, or in the DDG1. The material component of the spell is a hair from three different types of giants. (Note: This greatly improved Strength spell play tested well in our campaign. The limitation of "fighters or clerics only" was put on by the researcher to prevent those nasty theives from using it to backstab, since we multiply all damage in a thief's backstab attack.) Feather Fall Field (Alteration) Level: 7th M-U Components: V Range: 0 Casting Time: 1/10 segment Duration: 1 turn/level Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: 1" radius Researcher: Bobby-Joe (Ken Jenks) Explanation/Description: When this spell is cast, a magical field surrounds the caster and moves with him. This field slows free-falling or free-flying objects as per the first level Feather Fall spell, subject to a weight limit of 2,000 gp weight plus 2,000 gp weight per level. This spell will affect all missiles, including giants' boulders, but weight beyond the maximum limit will not be affected. (Note: This spell was originally researched at 5th level, but play testing showed that it was much more powerful than that. It seems on par with Anti-Magic Shell, but not as limiting to the spell caster.) Contingent Polymorph Other (Alteration) Level: 7th M-U Components: V, S, M Range: 1/2" per level Casting Time: 7 segments Duration: Special Saving Throw: Neg. Area of Effect: One creature Researcher: Esmerelda (NPC, Ken Jenks DM) Explanation/Description: This spell will Polymorph one creature (as per Polymorh Other) into another until some set condition occurs, e.g. Polymorphing a toad into a prince until he is kissed by a woman, or Polymorphing a fighter into a dragon until he (it) says "I wish I were human," etc. The change from the Polymorphed form back into the normal form takes place gradually over 5 segments, so it is impossible to crush someone by Polymorphing a hippo into a flea, putting it on his head, then triggering the contingency. The material component of the spell is a bit of honeycomb. Prevention of Transmuation from Rock to Mud (Alteration) Reversible Level: 7th M-U Components: V, S, M Range: 1"/level Casting Time: 1 turn Duration: Permanent Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: 4 cubic "/level Researcher: Shoogar (Ken Jenks) Explanation/Description: This spell prevents the successful use of a Transmut Rock to Mud spell in the area of effect unless a successful Dispel Magic spell is cast first. The reversal totally negates this spell. The material component is a brick, or a sponge for the reversal. (Note: Use this when building your next castle. A long study of the attack strategies of high level parties reveals the need for this spell.) Freeze (Abjuration) Level: 8th M-U Components: V, S, M Range: 1/2" per level Casting Time: 1 segment Duration: 2-5 rounds Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: One creature Researcher: Whitewolf (NPC, Ken Jenks DM) Explanation/Description: This spell will put one creature in Temporal Stasis for 2-5 rounds. This special Temporal Stasis cannot be dispelled, but the affected creature cannot be harmed, contacted or influenced for the duration of the spell. (Note: The short, variable duration makes this more of an "escape from the bad guys" spell than an attack spell, but you can always pick up your newly-created statue and do interesting things to him -- as long as you're done quickly. This works best if you have cliffs or volcanoes nearby.) Stone Protection (Abjuration) Level: 8th M-U Components: V, S, M Range: 1"/level Casting Time: 1 turn Duration: 1 hour/level Saving Throw: None Area of Effect: 3 cubic "/level Researcher: Whitewolf (NPC, Ken Jenks DM) Explanation/Description: This spell will protect any magical or non-magical stone in the area of effect from the following spells: Transmute Rock to Mud, Passwall, Phase Door, Disintigrate, Stone to Flesh, Animate Object, Earthquake, Polymorph Any Object, Stone Shape, Distance Distortion, and Animate Rock. It further gives the stone affected +3 on saving throws against other attack forms (Fireball, Lightning Bolt, cold, acid, blows, etc.). An Earth Elemental can neither be conjured in the area nor enter it. This spell will have no effect on Stone Golems or Clay Golems, but it will prevent Xorn, Umber Hulks, Purple Worms and similar creatures from burrowing in the affected area. At the DM's option, non-standard spells, spell-like effects (e.g. Horn of Blasting), and psionic abilities which affect stone may be prevented from operating. This spell can be made permanent by Permanency spell with the loss of one point of Constitution from the caster of the Permanency spell. The material component of this spell is a boulder of at least 400 GP weight. (Note: Again, this is a pretty silly spell just for castle defense.)