I've Got to Hand it to You... [Necromantic Spell]

[Maerok]

Life to Limb
Necromancy
Level: Sor/Wiz 2, Dread Necromancer 2
Component: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: One severed limb
Duration: Instantaneous
Saves: No
Spell Resistance: None

By using a tiny spark of necromantic energy, you can animate the severed limb or body part of a living creature. Treat it as an undead creature with a size category, for the purpose of stats and material components, of three less than its owner's size (Medium creatures produce Diminutive limbs, receiving whatever bonuses and penalties apply from size) to a minimum of Fine. It has base attributes of 8 Strength, 8 Dexterity, no Constitution, 10 Wisdom, no Intelligence, and 1 Charisma. It gains a slam attack as a Zombie of its size. Its HD is 1/5 of the owner's, rounded down. If the owner's HD is below 5, use the following table to determine HD:
{table=head]Original HD | New HD
4 | 1/2
3 | 1/2
2 | 1/4
1 | 1/4
1/2 | 1/4
1/4 | 0 (1 hp)
[/table]
For the purpose of undead controlled, animated limbs count towards your animate dead limit (generally 2 HD/CL). Treat fractional HD as 1 HD for the purpose of maximum HD controlled (for rebuking, spells, etc.). No creature can produce more than five limbs (arms, legs, head, tails), but the number of limbs is also limited by the actual amount of limbs the creature has.

Material Component: A shard of black onyx worth 10 gp per size category of limb.

[Somebloke]

It seems a little underpowered...although the 'pitter patter of little feet' suddenly got a little more ominous.

[Maerok]

I want a sort of earlier animate dead, but I don't want it to be overpowered at low levels. Well it should feature this:

A limb is about three sizes smaller than its owner (as per the Demilich, which is a Diminutive sized head from a Medium spellcaster).

A limb is not very powerful, and should be limited to less HD than the owner; maybe 1/5 of the HD, to a minimum of 1/2HD.

Perhaps different limbs grant different bonuses:

• Head - Can speak and listen, relaying messages; half move speed.
• Arm - +2 grapple checks; climb speed of 1/3 base land speed, round up
• Leg - +2 trip attempts; +10 move speed
• Wing - Retains its fly speed and flying quality (clumsy, average, etc.)

[Alex12]

I could see other, specific-to-part-and-species bonuses. For instance, the head of an Illithid could get 3/4 walk speed instead, since it's got those tentacles to help

[Lochar]

I could see other, specific-to-part-and-species bonuses. For instance, the head of an Illithid could get 3/4 walk speed instead, since it's got those tentacles to help

What's the drowned giant head creature called? The one that walks with it's hair?

[Alex12]

What's the drowned giant head creature called? The one that walks with it's hair?

I have no idea.

Actually, this thread gave me an idea for another interesting spell.

[Fax Celestis]

A limb is not very powerful, and should be limited to less HD than the owner; maybe 1/5 of the HD, to a minimum of 1/2HD.

So if I use this on the head of a cat, I don't actually lose any HD?

[Collin152]

So if I use this on the head of a cat, I don't actually lose any HD?

I think it's well established that cats break the game.

[The Neoclassic]

Aren't animating dead necromancy spells supposed to have the evil descriptor, at least in the default setting where making undead is an inherently evil act?

Otherwise, looks neat.

[DracoDei]

Yeah, I would get rid of the minimum on the HD reduction. I assume you mean the size modifications for a creature of the resulting limb's final size, starting from the ability scores you listed?

[Zeal]

What's the drowned giant head creature called? The one that walks with it's hair?

Deathshead (ToM pg 81)

[Maerok]

Well what do you propose as a better alternative to determining its HD?

[Fax Celestis]

"Divide its HD by 5, rounding down to the nearest HD. If this would put it's HD below 1, use the following table instead.

{table=head]Original HD | New HD
4 | 1/2
3 | 1/2
2 | 1/4
1 | 1/4
1/2 | 1/4
1/4 | 0 (1 hp)
[/table]"

[DracoDei]

Err... replace 0 with 1/8th in that chart I would say... don't want a 1st level cleric to be able to turn an INFINITE number of them... or, perhaps more to the point, a necromancer to be able to control an infinite number of them.

[Fax Celestis]

Err... replace 0 with 1/8th in that chart I would say... don't want a 1st level cleric to be able to turn an INFINITE number of them... or, perhaps more to the point, a necromancer to be able to control an infinite number of them.

Surprisingly, there are no "1/8 HD" creatures to my knowledge. Otherwise, I'd go with that.

[Collin152]

There's even less 0 hd creatures.

[Maerok]

How does it look now?

[DracoDei]

Actually, fractional HD should BE fractional HD... just change the "0" to 1/8 and that should fix THAT problem...

Oh... and farming hydras for unlimited heads is an activity that should be ENCOURAGED IMHO.

[Maerok]

Max of five limbs per owner. :-P

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Deathshead (ToM pg 81)

Actually, I think he meant the crawling head, from Fiend Folio.