Villains' Lorebook.pdf - Department of Political Science

This spell creates a burning lance of flame that
leaps from its caste’s hand, hitting automatically and
inflicting 1d6 points of damage per level of caster, to
a maximum of 10d6.
The material component is a lit torch in the
caster’s hand or one fire source of at least torch size
within 30’ of the caster. Casting this spell extinguishes
a torch-sized fire source but only diminishes
a larger blaze.
Despite its disadvantages when compared to the
ever-popular fireball (only one target affected and a
fire source required), fire lance is a fashionable Red
Wizard spell. Unlike a fireball’s effect, the victim’s
clothing and possessions are untouched by the flame.
This enables the caster to torch a victim without
worrying about any interesting magical items that
might be destroyed in the conflagration.
Flensing
(Alteration)
Level: 8
Range: Touch
Components: V,S,M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 8
Area of Effect: One creature
Saving Throw: Special
This horrifying spell actually strips the flesh from
its victim. Developed by the Red Wizards for torture
and interrogation, it may be learned by spellcasters
of evil alignment only. Flensing takes four full rounds
to be effective. On the first round, the victim suffers
great pain and disfiguring tearing of his or her skin
but no actual damage. On the second round, the victim
sustains 2d6 points of damage; a successful saving
throw vs. spell halves this damage but does not
stop the spell, and the third round the victim takes
2d10 points of damage (which also can be halved
with a successful saving throw vs. spell).
On the fourth round after casting, the victim must
successfully save vs. death magic or die instantly as
the very flesh is tom in strips from his bones. Victims
of this spell often relent during the first round of
casting and tell the Red Wizards what they want to
know. On occasion, however, the wizards let the
spell complete its gruesome work even after they
have gotten the required information.
Flensing causes extensive disfigurement to its victims.
If the spell was stopped on the first round, the
victim must save vs. breath weapon to avoid losing
1-3 points of Charisma permanently. If the spell is
stopped on the second or third round, the victim
must successfully save or lose 2d4 points of Charisma
permanently. If the victim survives the fourth
round he must again save vs. breath weapon to
avoid the permanent loss of 2d6 points of Charisma.
The victim’s Charisma may never be reduced below
1 in this manner. Charisma points may be restored
by regeneration.
The material component of flensing is an onion
that must be peeled, one layer per round of the spell.
Halaster’s Grappling Hand
(Evocation)
Level: 5
Range: 10 feet
Components: V,S
Duration: 4 rounds+1 round/level
Casting Time: 5
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: None
This spell creates a translucent, 5’-tall magical left
hand of force that appears within 10’ of the spell
caster, and moves with him. The hand is silent, noncorporeal
when encountering nonmagical, unliving
matter and thus can pass through door frames, missiles,
and so on without harm. It lasts without concentration
while the caster engages in other activi-
ties, including spellcasting.
The hand acts only when a magical attack, such as
a magical missile or lightning bolt, is directed at the
caster, or when a hostile creature charges at the caster.
The spell is designed to interrupt any magic coming
directly at the caster; it can intercept magic missiles
and lightning bolts, but wide effect spells such as chain
lightning or fireball are not stopped by the hand.
If any creatures bearing magical weapons or items
attempt to approach the caster of the hand, the
hand intercedes. Designed to stop magic, beings
with any magical items are stopped by the hand as if
it were a solid barrier. Magical weapons damage the
hand, dealing one point of damage for every combat
bonus on the weapon; for example, a dagger +2
causes two points of damage to the hand. PCs or
monsters without magical weapons, items, or armor
can freely pass thought the hand.
The hand is lightning-quick, and can defend
against several magical attacks of one creature in a
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