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View Full Version : Necromantic Curses [Spell Set + Subschool]



Maerok
2007-04-21, 10:51 PM
The Curse Subschool:
Like many necromancy spells, curse spells are generally cast up close and personal with Touch or Close ranges.
A curse can be set up in a way like contingency (see below), or it may be cast normally.
If a creature with a curse spell prepared is reduced to negative hitpoints by a spell or attack, or is targeted in a coup de grace, it may choose to automatically be slain in order to invoke one curse spell on the attacker. This makes the curse into a death curse, and sets the duration as permanent. While the curse persists, the soul of the curser cannot be brought back to life as their soul serves to power this magical affliction. The curser may, however, undo the curse as he or she see sees fit in order to be brought back, if the cursed has made amends, or for whatever additional reason. Upon revival, the curser loses his or her spellcasting abilities for three days per spell level of the curse.
Curses may be removed via remove curse, but require an opposed caster level check. Dispel or greater dispel can effect death curses, but the curser receives a +2 bonus to his or her check.Existing Spells to Add:
Doom
Bestow Curse
Greater Bestow Curse

Anathema
Necromancy (Curse)
Level: Clr 1, Sor/Wiz 1, Blackguard 2
Component: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 hour/level
Saves: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

Any sentient creature (Intelligence of 5 or more) the subject meets while under the effect of anathema treats the subject with an attitude one category lower than they would normally treat the subject per five caster levels (1-4, -1 category; 5-9, -2; 10-14, -3) to a minimum of hostile. Only its immediate family (parents and siblings) and the caster treat the subject as normal.


Gibbering Madness
Necromancy (Curse, Mind-affecting)
Level: Clr 4, Sor/Wiz 3
Component: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 minute/level
Saves: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

While under the effect of this spell, the subject cannot use language, spells with verbal components, or word-activated items/effects. They are continually distracted by the incessant flow of mindless sounds their mouth continues to produce, which works to distract the subject; they cannot take 10 and must succeed on a Concentration check whenever they try to cast a spell or undergo a prolonged or laborious skill check greater than one minute (DC equal to the spell DC).

This spell counters tongues. Material Component: The tongue of a lizard.
Hunger Scorn
Necromancy (Curse)
Level: Clr 2, Dread Necromancer 2, Sor/Wiz 2, Assassin 3, Blackguard 3
Component: S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature per three levels, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart
Duration: 1 day/level
Saves: Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: No

While this spell persists, any food or beverage the subjects try to ingest are reduced to useless ash. Only magical food or drink created with an effect of a higher caster level can be consumed. The subject is allowed a new Fortitude save every 24 hours to suspend the effect until the next day.

Material Component: A burnt piece of meat.


Revival of Vengeance
Necromancy (Curse)
Level: Clr 4, Dread Necromancer 4, Sor/Wiz 5
Component: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 full action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 hour/levelSaves: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

When the subject slays a living creature, that creature immediately gains the Zombie template and is reanimated. It proceeds to attack the subject, gaining blindsight 60' to detect the subject. If the spell ends or the subject is slain, all zombies created this way are destroyed. They do not defend themselves and attack the subject without regard for their own defense.

Material Component: The skull or head of a creature from the subject's race.


Ruin
Necromancy (Curse)
Level: Clr 2, Dread Necromancer 2, Sor/Wiz 2, Assassin 2
Component: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 day/level
Saves: Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: No

The DC of any poison or disease affecting the subject is increased by +1 and an additional +1 per 4 caster levels, starting at +1 at level 1, +2 at level 4, +3 at level 8, and so on until +5 at level 16 (the maximum). This applies to any poison or disease gained before or after this spell takes effect.

Vicious Rebirth
Necromancy (Curse)
Level: Clr 8, Dread Necromancer 9, Sor/Wiz 9
Component: V, S, DF, M
Casting Time: 1 full action
Range: Touch
Target: One living creature
Duration: 1 day/level
Saves: No
Spell Resistance: Yes

Every eight hours, the subject gains 1d4 negative energy levels. Upon going below level one, the subject is slain instantaneously. If the subject had gained at least as many negative energy levels from this spell as the caster's HD, the caster is recreated from the remains in the next moment as if true resurrection had been cast. Any items are scattered within 20 feet of the remains. If the caster is not dead at this time, the subject merely dies without the secondary effect. If the proper amount of negative energy levels are not gained, the subject dies as well without the rebirth effect.

Material Component: A shattered mirror costing 5,000 gp.

[hr]
More to come. What does anybody think?

Matthew
2007-04-22, 09:46 AM
So, this is a whole new School of Arcane Magic? Wouldn't this fall under Invocation or something?

Maerok
2007-04-22, 10:30 AM
It's a subschool of Necromancy. Like Healing is to Conjuration, *grumble*.

Mewtarthio
2007-04-22, 01:45 PM
I like the Death Curse, though you should note that casting a Death Curse is (I presume) an immediate action, and you should probably include a clause that ends the curse if the caster is resurrected (or, if this isn't what you want, a clause that states explicitly that resurrection does not undo the curse).

One question: If Hunger Scorn is heightened to ninth level, does it basically automatically kill the subject if the curse is not undone? And if a Sorceror with the Heighten Spell feat, Hunger Scorn as a spell known, and at least one remaining ninth-level slot dies, does this fate befall his killer with a +11 to the remove curse DC and immunity to dispels?

JoshuaZ
2007-04-22, 02:27 PM
The Curse School:

[/B]
Hunger Scorn
Necromancy (Curse)
Level: Clr 1, Dread Necromancer 1, Sor/Wiz 1, Assassin 1, Blackguard 1
Component: S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature per three levels, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart
Duration: 1 day/level
Saves: Fortitude negates
Spell Resistance: No

While this spell persists, any food or beverage the subjects try to ingest are reduced to useless ash. Only magical food or drink created with an effect of a higher caster level can be consumed.

Material Component: A burnt piece of meat.



Seems a bit overpowered. There's a tendency for people to see spells that don't kill people in battle conditions as less powerful than they really are. (This isn't that surprising since D&D is in many ways primarily about combat). This spell will likely kill someone unless they get help in a few days, regardles of their level. I'd make it at least 2nd level or allow a new fort save every 24 hours after the spell was cast.

Realms of Chaos
2007-04-22, 02:35 PM
No love for the Hexblade?

What type of tormenter are you?

Maerok
2007-04-24, 07:33 PM
Ok, perhaps it would be better to not include any increase to the CL required to remove it.

I wanted something that could explain how you get heroes who are cursed, or family curses that get passed down through generations (I'll get to the latter later).

Matthew
2007-05-02, 04:25 PM
Inherited Curses are certainly a cool idea.

Baron Corm
2007-05-02, 07:10 PM
you know that bestow curse can do all these things right?

" You may also invent your own curse, but it should be no more powerful than those described above. "

if you do in fact want something more powerful, i believe the book of vile darkness has the spell greater bestow curse.