Bone Dance

Necromancy
Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: S, M
Casting Time: 3 rounds
Range: Close
Effect: Absolute control of an animate undead
Duration: 10 minutes/level
Saving Throw: No
Spell Resistance: No

This spell temporarily animates the physical remains of a human, demihuman, or humanoid. Bone dance forges a mystical link with the newly made undead creature within 10 yards/level of you, enabling you to mentally control its movements, just as a master puppeteer manipulates the actions of a wooden puppet. The skeleton or zombie animated by this spell is incapable of carrying out any independent actions— you must mentally command your undead puppet to walk forward, pick up a sword, strike an opponent with it, and so on. While you concentrate on maintaining the bone dance, you may not speak, cast other spells, or actively engage in melee. The spell occupies the greater part of the caster's attention. The skeleton or zombie created by this spell conforms to the normal variety described in the Monster Manual. It is compatible with (can be affected by) other necromantic spells that affect undead, and the creature may perform all of the simple actions outlined in the skeletal hands spell. If directed into combat, it fights as a regular skeleton (even if it still has some flesh on its bones). When combined with spectral voice, bone dance can make for an effective decoy, a menacing bluff, or at least a ghastly form of entertainment. When augmented by corpse link, a dancing cadaver may serve as an effective (and ultimately expendable) scout that can work beyond the immediate visual range of the caster.

Normally, the bone dance progresses for the duration of the spell or until you lose concentration. The dance also ends prematurely if you causes the skeleton to move beyond spell range or out of direct sight (certain divinations, such as corpse link may lift this hindrance). The bone dance may be destroyed in combat, or broken by a successful dispel magic. The material component is an intact skeleton or corpse and a small, crude puppet which You must manipulate with both hands to choreograph the bone dance.

The World of Inzeladun | About Vincent N. Darlage | stories | Conan the Barbarian for Third Edition D&D | Red Sonja for Third Edition D&D | Magic in Inzeladun | Spells of Inzeladun, conversions and originals | Why magic items should be rare