IcyCool
First Post
I've got a 3rd level Kenku wizard in the wings, awaiting the time when we get to bring in 3rd level characters. So I thought I take advantage of the wait and put up some custom spells I'd like for him to have/design. All spells will, of course, be private to that character.
Bone Puppet is the one that has me the most concerned. I'm pretty sure that it is overpowered as is. I think changing it to forcing the subject to only making a single standard action per round (like a zombie), which the caster dictates (with the same restriction on it not being a spell/power, spell/psi-like, or supernatural ability) is a good idea. I could use some help on that one. It is, at its core, a hold-person that lets you force the subject to perform a single physical action (standard action in this case).
I'm also not entirely pleased with the wording on Eyes of the Dead, but can't think of a better way to word it right now.
I've got a few more spells for approval, but I haven't finished them yet.
Custom Spells:
Crackbeak's Skeletal Reader
Illusion(Figment)
Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 0
Components: V,F
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close(25ft. + 5ft./2 levels)
Target: One non-magical text
Duration: 1 hour/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
In a hollow voice, the skull begins reciting (in the language the text is written in) the contents of the text chosen when casting the spell. The skull can be commanded to start, stop, adjust volume (from a harsh whisper up to the sound of a single human shouting), or skip to specific points in the text (such as chapters or page numbers). The skull can only read languages that the caster knows, and always reads the literal words on the page (it does not infer meaning or decipher coded text). For purposes of interacting with other spells and effects, the skull does not count as a "creature with a language". If a text has any magical writing (including magical traps that must be read to activate), then it is an invalid target for this spell. When the spell duration expires or the spell is dismissed, the skull goes silent.
Skeletal Reader can be made permanent with a permanency spell (with the same restrictions and cost as ghost sound).
Arcane Focus: The skull from a small or larger creature, prepared with oils costing 5gp.
Crackbeak's Eyes of the Dead
Necromancy
Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 2
Components: V,S,M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: One dead creature which has been dead no longer than 1 week.
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
The caster's eyes roll into the back of his head and he views the last few moments of the target's life, right up to the moment of its death. Starting at the moment the target died, the caster views the last several rounds of the target's life in reverse order, up to the duration of the spell. The caster is only able to see events from the target's eyes, and no other sense than sight is available. After the spell is completed, the caster is nauseated for 1 round as he recovers from the disorientation.
Material Component: An eye from the target creature, which must be eaten by the caster.
Crackbeak's Bone Puppet
Necromancy
Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 4
Components: S,F
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium(100ft. + 10ft./level)
Target: One corporeal creature
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw: Fort negates; see text
Spell Resistance: Yes
The caster takes the marionette controls and jerks them about. The caster gains control of the target's skeletal structure and may force the target to move according to his whim. The caster cannot force the subject to speak, because he is unable to manipulate the vocal cords, only the target's jaw. If the target is capable of taking purely mental actions, it may do so. The caster otherwise takes control of the target's actions. The caster may force the target to perform a single move action or standard action each round that he is in control, and may make use of the target's abilities, equipment, and feats as he controls the target, but he may not force the target to manifest powers, cast spells, or use any special ability that is not a function of just its body movements (such as abilities that expend psionic focus, use a turn attempt, or expend a spell slot). The target may not make attacks of opportunity while his actions are being controlled by the caster. The target must make a new saving throw against the spells effects each round, if he succeeds, he may act normally on that round.
This spell has no effect on a creature that has no skeletal structure, like a purple worm.
Corporeal undead can be affected by this spell and may add their Charisma bonus, if any, to their saving throw against this spell.
Arcane Focus: Marionette controls made of ivory or bone costing a total of 50gp, which the caster uses to control the motions of the target.
Bone Puppet is the one that has me the most concerned. I'm pretty sure that it is overpowered as is. I think changing it to forcing the subject to only making a single standard action per round (like a zombie), which the caster dictates (with the same restriction on it not being a spell/power, spell/psi-like, or supernatural ability) is a good idea. I could use some help on that one. It is, at its core, a hold-person that lets you force the subject to perform a single physical action (standard action in this case).
I'm also not entirely pleased with the wording on Eyes of the Dead, but can't think of a better way to word it right now.
I've got a few more spells for approval, but I haven't finished them yet.
Custom Spells:
Crackbeak's Skeletal Reader
Illusion(Figment)
Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 0
Components: V,F
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close(25ft. + 5ft./2 levels)
Target: One non-magical text
Duration: 1 hour/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
In a hollow voice, the skull begins reciting (in the language the text is written in) the contents of the text chosen when casting the spell. The skull can be commanded to start, stop, adjust volume (from a harsh whisper up to the sound of a single human shouting), or skip to specific points in the text (such as chapters or page numbers). The skull can only read languages that the caster knows, and always reads the literal words on the page (it does not infer meaning or decipher coded text). For purposes of interacting with other spells and effects, the skull does not count as a "creature with a language". If a text has any magical writing (including magical traps that must be read to activate), then it is an invalid target for this spell. When the spell duration expires or the spell is dismissed, the skull goes silent.
Skeletal Reader can be made permanent with a permanency spell (with the same restrictions and cost as ghost sound).
Arcane Focus: The skull from a small or larger creature, prepared with oils costing 5gp.
Crackbeak's Eyes of the Dead
Necromancy
Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 2
Components: V,S,M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: One dead creature which has been dead no longer than 1 week.
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
The caster's eyes roll into the back of his head and he views the last few moments of the target's life, right up to the moment of its death. Starting at the moment the target died, the caster views the last several rounds of the target's life in reverse order, up to the duration of the spell. The caster is only able to see events from the target's eyes, and no other sense than sight is available. After the spell is completed, the caster is nauseated for 1 round as he recovers from the disorientation.
Material Component: An eye from the target creature, which must be eaten by the caster.
Crackbeak's Bone Puppet
Necromancy
Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 4
Components: S,F
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium(100ft. + 10ft./level)
Target: One corporeal creature
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw: Fort negates; see text
Spell Resistance: Yes
The caster takes the marionette controls and jerks them about. The caster gains control of the target's skeletal structure and may force the target to move according to his whim. The caster cannot force the subject to speak, because he is unable to manipulate the vocal cords, only the target's jaw. If the target is capable of taking purely mental actions, it may do so. The caster otherwise takes control of the target's actions. The caster may force the target to perform a single move action or standard action each round that he is in control, and may make use of the target's abilities, equipment, and feats as he controls the target, but he may not force the target to manifest powers, cast spells, or use any special ability that is not a function of just its body movements (such as abilities that expend psionic focus, use a turn attempt, or expend a spell slot). The target may not make attacks of opportunity while his actions are being controlled by the caster. The target must make a new saving throw against the spells effects each round, if he succeeds, he may act normally on that round.
This spell has no effect on a creature that has no skeletal structure, like a purple worm.
Corporeal undead can be affected by this spell and may add their Charisma bonus, if any, to their saving throw against this spell.
Arcane Focus: Marionette controls made of ivory or bone costing a total of 50gp, which the caster uses to control the motions of the target.
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