Giant Vermin

[Mystery Man]

sigh

From the SRD

Giant Vermin
Transmutation
Level: Clr 4, Drd 4
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Targets: Up to three vermin, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart
Duration: 1 min./level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes
You turn three normal-sized centipedes, two normal-sized spiders, or a single normal-sized scorpion into larger forms. Only
one type of vermin can be transmuted (so a single casting cannot affect both a centipede and a spider), and all must be grown
to the same size. The size to which the vermin can be grown depends on your level; see the table below.
Any giant vermin created by this spell do not attempt to harm you, but your control of such creatures is limited to simple
commands (“Attack,” “Defend,” “Stop,” and so forth). Orders to attack a certain creature when it appears or guard against a
particular occurrence are too complex for the vermin to understand. Unless commanded to do otherwise, the giant vermin
attack whoever or whatever is near them.
Caster Level Vermin Size
9th or lower Medium
10th–13th Large
14th–17th Huge
18th–19th Gargantuan
20th or higher Colossal

Question is: Do you have to have the bugs with you?

Thanks

 

[dcollins]

Yes. Or find them in the environment.

 

[Mystery Man]

Yes. Or find them in the environment.

Thanks thats kind of what I thought, however I do like to check myself with others. I have a players who likes everything for free, and I'm disinclined to give away every single spell for nothing.

 

[Diirk]

Spell components without a listed cost are assumed to be on hand in a spell component pouch or whatever. Unless you want to start asking your characters where they find bat guano in the middle of a raging blizzard whenever they cast a fireball etc.

Same applies to giant vermin, no reason they can't carry around a few live spiders in a small jar with a hole in the top for air to get in, or whatever.

 

[Trainz]

I wanna do a pseudo highjack here (it is about vermin, so it's not totally OT).

In a recent game, the PC's had a random encounter with a CR 12 Purple Worm. The fight wasn't too hard, and there never was a serious doubt that they would win.

An hour later, they have an encounter with a CR 12 Scorpion (Vermin). If it wasn't for a roll of natural 20 by a player, it would have been a TPK. Have you looked-up the critter's stats ?

Damn...

 

[dcollins]

Spell components without a listed cost are assumed to be on hand in a spell component pouch or whatever.

Note that the vermin are not a component for the spell (no M in components list). Rather, they are the target of the spell -- just like the creatures that are targets of an enlarge spell, for example. And you don't assume that a caster has a little man in his pocket to cast enlarge on most of the time.

 

[Kai Lord]

And you don't assume that a caster has a little man in his pocket to cast enlarge on most of the time.

No, but in ArthurQ's campaign it would sure explain a lot....

 

[Dougal DeKree]

Thanks thats kind of what I thought, however I do like to check myself with others. I have a players who likes everything for free, and I'm disinclined to give away every single spell for nothing.

Summon Swarm is a 2nd lvl Druid spell and it can summon vermin...sometimes
Also he (or someone else) could cast Insect plague or creeping doom, depending on what his lvl is.

A Shaman in my group used the combo "summon swarm/giant vermin/animal growth" to devastating effect...

Dougal

 

[Henrix]

Shaman in my group used the combo "summon swarm/giant vermin/animal growth" to devastating effect...

It's just such a waste when the swarm disappears a round later, as Summon Swarm has a duration of concentration +2 rounds.

 

[hong]

And you don't assume that a caster has a little man in his pocket to cast enlarge on most of the time.

.......