New spell - Happy Birthday Song

[Aesmael]

Happy Birthday Song

Necromancy

Level:
Bard ?, Sorcerer/Wizard ?

Components:
V, M

Casting Time:
6 rounds

Range:
Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)

Target:
One creature in range

Duration:
Permanent

Saving Throw:
Fort 1/2 or Will 1/2?

Spell Resistance:
Yes


When this spell is cast the target must make its save or immediately age 1 year/caster level. If it does manage to save against this spell it will only be aged 1 year/2 caster levels. Dispel Magic will not emove the effect but the subject can be returned to its proper age by a successful casting of Remove Curse, Break Enchantment, Wish, Limited Wish or Miracle.
Material Component: A small candle and a piece of cake.

Opinions? Suggestions? I am not sure what level to make this spell or what saving throw should resist.

 

[Agamemnon]

I always thought magic aging effects were removed from the rules for a reason.

 

[ARandomGod]

I always thought magic aging effects were removed from the rules for a reason.

Yes, they removed all aging effects, both positive and negative. I'm sure that the "reason" was that the authors didn't like it. But that's not really a bad reason. I think it's possible also that it rubs a number of player the wrong way as well.

How about this, make the aging temporary (although possibly longish lasting), and make it go by age catagories instead of simply by years, with the addendum that the spell can't age a person beyond venerable. (and that it only effects the body)

You could even make it permanent, with not only that they can't be aged beyond venerable, but that their normal lifespan remains. Then you could adequately place it in power level, as doing X ability damage. Somewhere less powerful than Bestow Curse if it only does one age catagory, more powerful than Bestow Curse if it advances the target two, and quite a bit more powerful if it advances the target by three.

But a nice spell that way, one that doesn't really change the game by readding in artificial aging... and also a rather inventive curse. I think I might add that to my custom bestow curse list.

 

[JimAde]

Excellent. Also makes elves vulnerable to it, which they basically wouldn't be otherwise.

This goes on my custom curse list as well.

 

[trentonjoe]

How about this, make the aging temporary (although possibly longish lasting), and make it go by age catagories instead of simply by years, with the addendum that the spell can't age a person beyond venerable. (and that it only effects the body)

I think this s the way to go. I would make a 4th level spell. Removable by remove curse and/or break enchantment.

 

[Agamemnon]

I agree that doing it by categories is preferably to by years, since that was always vastly off the wall with many races, and lethal to short-lived ones like the thri-kreen.

 

[Aesmael]

Well, I never played before 3.5 ed, though I had heard haste used to age the characters. Never did like the sound of that.

However, if you folks think that it would work best as a use of Bestow Curse to advance a character by two age categories I am inclined to listen. It was already phrased much as a curse anyway, and countered by the same spells (including remove curse).

 

[ARandomGod]

Well, I never played before 3.5 ed, though I had heard haste used to age the characters. Never did like the sound of that.

However, if you folks think that it would work best as a use of Bestow Curse to advance a character by two age categories I am inclined to listen. It was already phrased much as a curse anyway, and countered by the same spells (including remove curse).

One power levels of Bestow Curse:

• –4 penalty on attack rolls, saves, ability checks, and skill checks.

So two age catagories would be -3 to all ability scores, which would only be -1 to the modifiers. Sounds within Bestow Curse power levels.

Of course, that's if the person that's cursed isn't already Middle Aged, on an Adult it would advance the person to Old, which would give -3. I think that's where the spell's power level is best looked at, however, as that's what you're most likely to find. PS, DO NOT cast this spell on a dragon! ~_^

Now, if the target were already Middle Aged, it would advance them to Venerable, wich would be a -5 change to all ability scores, which is clearly beyond the scope of Bestow Curse.

I know, say that it will advance the target two age catagories if the target is Adult or younger, and one if the target it Middle Aged, or old, and or course it does not effect venerable targets. Therefore you can never get any better (worse) than -3 to all ability scores with it.

Of course... take a higher level Bestow Curse spell and curse an adult (or possibly younger) straight into venerable. Ex Cell Ent.

Once again, however, restrain from targeting dragons. O_O

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

I'd say just make dragons immune to magical aging effects.

 

[ARandomGod]

I'd say just make dragons immune to magical aging effects.

Oh no, if you're foolish enough to do this.

No, wait... you may be right. It's abuseable if you let something gain positive effects from the spell. Say if you're teamed up with a dragon. Yesssss. There does need to be some adjudiaction.

OK... simply say that the negative effects of aging are gained, but none of the positive effects. That also provides for why the target doesn't get any non-physical bonuses from the spell.