west@utcsrgv.UUCP (Thomas L. West) (01/13/85)
<>
In the campaign I'm in, my 16th level MU has had about a year to reseach
some spells. The mage (Feanor by name) needed some blast'em spells tempered
with some spells useful for day-to-day survival. He also wanted a few spells
that he can use for vengeance when necessary. (as you'll see, some of the
spells are fairly twisted.)
Spells:
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Magic Missile Plus (Evocation)
Level: 2 Components: V,S
Range: 6" + 1"/level Casting Time: 1 segment
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Area of Effect: 1 or more creatures
Explanation/Description: This spell is identical to a magic missile, except
the number of missiles permitted to the caster is increased by one.
(e.g. a 9th level MU gets 6 missiles for 2-5 points of damage each.)
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Wizard Ways (Illusion/Phantasm)
Level: 2 Components: V,S,M
Range: 0 Casting Time: 5 segments
Duration: 1 turn/level Saving Throw: None
Area of Effect: Caster
Explanation/Description: This spell makes the MU appear closer to the stereo-
type of a powerful Wizard. It's effects are psychological in all viewers
who do not carefully look for the MU's true visage.
The spell makes the caster *seem*
(1) To appear taller
(2) To have a lower voice
(3) To have a voice that resonates slightly
(4) To have a voice that when raised is louder (yet not shouted) and
resonates more strongly.
(5) To have a slight twinkling in the air surrounding the MU
(6) To be slightly less scruffy than the MU actually is
Note: Anyone who closely checks appearance (e.g. compares height of
MU to a nearby wall, or closes eyes and listen to the MU's voice, or looks
at the specks of light closely) will see the attributes as they truly are.
However, the effects are not so great so as to make it obvious that they
were magically generated.
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Magic Missile II (Evocation)
Level: 3 Components: V,S
Range: 6" + 1"/level Casting Time: 1 segment
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Area of Effect: 1 or more creatures
Explanation/Description: This spell is identical to a magic missile, except
that it does 1d6+1 damage/missile instead of 1d4+1.
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Magic Missile III (Evocation)
Level: 4 Components: V,S
Range: 6" + 1"/level Casting Time: 1 segment
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: None
Area of Effect: 1 or more creatures
Explanation/Description: This spell is identical to a magic missile, except
that it does 1d8+1 damage/missile instead of 1d4+1.
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Feanor's Firestorm (Evocation)
Level: 4 Components: V,S,M
Range: 5" + 1"/level Casting Time: 4 segments
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: 1/2
Area of Effect: 11 cubic "/level
Explanation/Description: This spell causes the area affected to explode in
flames. All those in the area take 3d6 damage (save for 1/2 damage). The
caster determines exactly the volume covered by the firestorm (min 1" in
each dimension) and casts. There is no need for the entire volume of the
firestorm to be used. Items engulfed must make a ST vs. normal fire (the
flames aren't that hot).
Note: If the area of effect seems a little high, then calculate the
volume * dice of damage a fireball does. (33 cubic " * level). This
spell does (11 cubic " * level * 3), the same amount. It is generally
used for cleaning out the cannon fodder so that we can concentrate on
the powerful creatures.
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Feanor's Incineration (Evocation)
Level: 6 Components: V,S
Range: 1"/level Casting Time: 1 segment
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: Neg.
Area of Effect: 1 creature
Explanation/Description: This spell causes 1 creature to make a ST vs spell
or suffer 1d6/level of caster damage. It causes extreme pain for that
segment, disrupting spells even if the save is made. The other effect
is dependent on the number of hp the victim has after the spell.
HP Effect
0 to -10 Victim drops to the ground smoking from ears/mouth.
-10 to -20 Victim bursts into flames and collapses.
-20 and down Victim explodes for 1d6 damage within 10'. This
explosion is *highly* spectacular.
In all cases, surrounding items aren't harmed.
Note: Useful for destroying the enemy leader in the name of <insert
deity here>. Tends to gain converts from witnesses. (It doesn't
particularily look like you cast a spell, so claim it came from God.)
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Feanor's Self-Immolation (Evocation)
Level: 7 Components: V,S,M
Range: 0 Casting Time: 7 segments
Duration: 3 rounds/level Saving Throw: 1/2
Area of Effect: caster
Explanation/Description: This spell causes the caster to be surrounded in
flame in a 1" radius. All within the radius take 1/2d6/level of caster
(save for 1/2 damage). Those attacking with hand-held or body weapons
must survive the flames before being allowed to attack.
Note: Non-living material is unaffected by this spell unless the caster
specifically desires.
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Feanor's Absorption (Abjuration)
Level: 7 Components: V,S,M
Range: 0 Casting Time: 1 round
Duration: 2 rounds/level Saving Throw: None
Area of Effect: 1 person
Explanation/Description: This spell causes the person touched to be affected
by magic just as if he or she had a rod of absorption in his or her hand
with 2 charges/level of the caster *without* the ability to cast absorbed
spells.
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Feanor's Ear Manipulation (Alteration) NOTE: FEANOR IS AN ELF...
Level: 7 Components: V (V,S,M)
Range: 1"/level Casting Time: 1 segment (1 turn)
Duration: Permanent until Dispelled Saving Throw: Neg.
Area of Effect: 1 person
Explanation/Description: This spell has two forms. the active form causes 1
person to save or have his or her ears turned to elvish shaped ears (or
vice versa). The verbal component of the spell
is *not* obvious. The transformation will take place over 1 round to
1 day at the caster's will at the time of casting. The second form of the
spell forces a ST vs spells or have ears transformed to the first person
to use an ear based racial epithet within spell range. (e.g. We don't serve
you *pointy eared* ********s here.) The transformation in this case takes
place over 1 day, and requires no concentration on the part of the caster
when it's activated. The second form of the spell "protects" the caster
for 1 day.
Note: The caster can reverse the spell at any time. He doesn't have
to be within visual sight.
There is no system shock roll ever involved in this.
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Feanor's Fireball (Evocation)
Level: 8 Components: V,S,M
Range: 10" + 1"/level Casting Time: 3 segments
Duration: Instantaneous Saving Throw: 1/2
Area of Effect: 2" radius
Explanation/Description: This spell acts exactly as a fireball except that
two dice of damage per level is done instead of one.
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Feanor's Alignment Alteration (Abjuration)
Level: 8 Components: V,S,M
Range: 0 Casting Time: 1 turn
Duration: 1 week/level Saving Throw: Special
Area of Effect: 1 creature
Explanation/Description: This spell is used by casting the spell and then
touching the victim with 1 turn/level. This spell causes all detection
spells of *any* sort up to wishes to detect as if the victim had an
alignment that was specified by the caster when the victim was touched.
Note that the strength of the alignment is also adjustable. (e.g. down
to evil to make Orcus blanche... Well maybe not quite, but close, anyway.)
The saving throw is standard but added to the roll is the victims level or
hit dice and subtracted from it is the casters level. e.g. a 17th level
MU casts it on a 15th level FTR. The FTR saves at -2. Remember that a
1 is always a fail and a 20 always a save regardless of level differences.
The alignment change lasts 1 week/level or until the caster dispels it.
Note: Try giving this to an evil MU before he goes to meet his friends.
If they're at all paranoid, they'll blow him to bits when they detect that
he's become super-palidanly good. (There's no way he'd *pretend* to be, so
he actually must be good...)
This spell can be counter-acted with a limited wish, wish,
alter reality or restoration. All others (dispel magic, remove curse, etc.)
fail to restore the alignment.
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Feanor's Curse (Abjuration)
Level: 8 Components: V,S,M
Range: 0 (1000 miles) Casting Time: 1 turn (1 day)
Duration: Permanent Saving Throw: Special
Area of Effect: 1 creature
Explanation/Description: This spell has two forms. One has the range of touch
and works by the caster casting the spell and touching the victim within
1 turn per level and activating the spell. The other method requires a
piece of the victim (usually a drop of blood, or a lock of hair). In
both cases, the caster can cast it on a given victim only once for a
given level of the caster. (Once *total*, not once for each method).
When the caster gains a new level, he or she may cast it again, but
each subsequent attempt gives a cumulative +2 to the save of the victim.
The effect of the curse is to slowly and permanently destroy the
victim's ability to feel pleasure. Over the next 14 days, the victim will
lose his or her ability to feel pleasure, happiness or satisfaction.
This is accomplished by destroying certain centres in the brain responsible
for these emotions. A dispel magic or limited wish will stop the effects
(d.m. will do it if it dispels according to level) but not reverse the
damage that has already been done. Note that the victim
does not detect magic during the 14 days (or after). The effects can only
be reversed by a regenerate (50% chance) or a wish (100% chance).
The net effect of the spell is up to the DM, but it should be remembered
that (1) The spell is gradual. The victim probably won't notice the effect
for quite a while. (2) Try to imagine life where absolutely nothing brings
even the slightest satisfaction or happiness. (Even the most depressed
people usually manage a smile at some form of humour sometime during the
day.) Suicide after some period of time appears not entirely unlikely.
The saving throw is standard except that the level of the victim is
added to the roll and the level of the caster subtracted. Remember that
a 1 is always a fail and a 20 always a success regardless of level
differences.
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That's it. By the way, for those interested, Feanor's alignment is
NG with some N tendencies. It's just that he deals with a lot of *very*
unpleasant people who have done a lot of *very* unpleasant things to his
friends. (= They are all dead). He's certainly not above a spot of
revenge if he gets the chance.
Tom West
{ allegra cornell decvax ihnp4 linus utzoo }!utcsrgv!westurban@spp2.UUCP (01/15/85)
Please, will somebody look up the word "immolate" in a dictionary? It means "to sacrifice" or "to offer in sacrifice", or secondarily "to destroy". It does *not* mean "surround with flames" nor does it have anything to do with fire. A mage who "self-immolates" will not be around to teach anyone how to do the spell (except a` la Obi-wan Kenobi). The misuse of this word seems to stem from the original D&D Three Rulebooks, in which Balrogs are said to "immolate" or burst into flame. Gygax was probably thinking of the final scene in Gotterdamerung when Brunhilda throws herself on the funeral pyre; this is often referred to as the "immolation scene." The original rule books were full of fractured English. The "lightening" spell was a bolt of electricity, but was not notable for making things lighter. Mike "too long since I've played this stuff" Urban trwrb!trwspp!spp2!urban
lasko@regina.DEC (01/21/85)
>Please, will somebody look up the word "immolate" in a >dictionary? "Dictionary, hmm, never had a use for 'em. We Druids have an *oral* tradition" >...It means "to sacrifice" or "to offer in sacrifice"...It does >*not* mean "surround with flames"... "Hmm, really?" <flip><flip><flip> "By Oak and Woad! He speaks the truth! Jonas! Magnolia! Wait!!!" <*spfuuf*> "Aaaah!" <*spkorf*> "Eeeeeeee!" "Ahrrgh! Now *where* am I going to dig up a pair of Archdruids?" [end of joke 1] Aha, you have discovered the secret behind the "Immolation" spell! The Great Druid teaches it gratis to Druids and Archdruids whom he thinks may be gunning for his position. Keeps the competition down, you know...survival of the fittest and all that... [end of joke 2] I am rather unpleasantly surprised: "Immolation" has been around for about three years in my world, and I'm sure I've been using the term for at least six. red-faced, tim lasko {decvax,ihnp4,allegra,seismo, et. al}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-regina!lasko
davis@hplabs.UUCP (Jim Davis) (01/21/85)
MU> Please, will somebody look up the word "immolate" in a
MU> dictionary? It means "to sacrifice" or "to offer in
MU> sacrifice", or secondarily "to destroy". It does *not* mean
MU> "surround with flames" nor does it have anything to do with
MU> fire. A mage who "self-immolates" will not be around to
MU> teach anyone how to do the spell (except a` la Obi-wan Kenobi).
MU> Mike "too long since I've played this stuff" Urban
Websters New World Dictionary of the American Language,
Second College Edition states:
im'mo-late vt. -lat'ed, -lat'ing [<L. immolatus, pp. of immolare, to
sprinkle a victim with sacrificial meal < in-, on + mola, MEAL]
to sacrifice; esp., to offer or kill as a sacrifice --im'mo-la'tion
n. im'mo-la'tor n.
Why do you ask for someone to look up the definition,
but provide it? :-) [Yes, I understand rethorical questions.]
--
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Jim Davis (James W Davis)
Email: {any_of_the_biggies} !hplabs!davis
Arpa: davis%hp-labs@csnet-relay
----------------------------------sps@drusd.UUCP (ShaplandSP) (01/22/85)
Perhaps the confusion about "immolation" stems from the mid-60's practice of Vietnamese monks sacrificing themselves by annointing themselves with petrol and then bursting into flames. S.P. Shapland (Amlwch, Lord of the Karpian Dragons) drusd!sps AT&T Information Systems, Denver (303/538-3855)
srt@ucla-cs.UUCP (01/27/85)
I just read John Varley's _Wizard_ and noticed that he misuses "immolation".
I hope frp donates more to civilization than a new definition for
"immolation".
Scott R. Turner
UCLA Computer Science Department
3531 Boelter Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90024
ARPA: srt@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA
UUCP: ...!{cepu,ihnp4,trwspp,ucbvax}!ucla-cs!srt