New Spell Idea: Grifton's Dragon Maw

[Grifton]

Hi everyone,

I certainly hope this is the right forum to post this too. Hope I’m not making the classic newbie blunder and posting to the wrong dang forum!

Any hoo, I have a new idea for a spell and I was wondering what you guys think.

Grifton's Dragon Maw
(Conjuration)
Level: Sor / Wiz 5
Components: V,S,M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long (400ft + 40ft/lvl)
Target or Area: 20ft. radius spread from target
Duration: 1 round/level or 1 round, see text.
Saving Throws: Will partial
Spell Resistance: Yes

With a few simple gestures, a caster can summon forth the maw of a terrifying dragon that strikes down from the heavens on a chosen enemy, dealing a decent 2d8 + 10 damage to the target.

The damage from this spell is minor (relatively for this level). But the fear caused by seeing a real dragon strike is very real. Any opponent within the area of effect must make a will save. Any creature that fails the save is panicked for 1 round/level. Creatures that succeed are shaken for 1 round.

Material Component: bits of a hatchling dragons shell, a gold coin

Possible option: I was thinking I could increase the gold coin cost to a 1000 gold coins, but lower the level of the spell.

Well what do you guys think? Let me have it!

 

[Hypersmurf]

I'll just move this to the right dang forum.

-Hyp.
(Moderator)

 

[Comicguy68]

hmmmm, I like it but I would probably make a couple of changes to it. I think I know where you were going with the spell. I'm currently on vacation and don't have my books so please forgive if I mess something up or forget something (I also don't do this that much).

First I would change the school. It appears that the damage isn't the main goal of this spell but the fear effect. I would thus make it an illusion spell and not a conjuration spell. I would also make the first part of the spell (dragon maw coming down from the heavens) actually be an illusion.

Second, the components are fine (V, S, M) but the material component I would change to something from a dragon's mouth (I like the idea of a tooth, and the image of the dragon that appears would match the tooth, i.e., a red dragon's tooth creates the image of a red dragon's head/mouth).

Third, if you do make it an illusion then the sequence of effects should be 1) on round spell is cast, target makes a will save. If successful, spell fails. If not successful, the target takes the indicated damage. 2) on round after spell takes effect, have everyone that witnessed the attack make a will save to see if they are shaken or panicked.

imho though

 

[Grifton]

It probably should be an illusion. It would make more sense. I’m just hesitant to do so cause I like the idea of conjuring forth a real dragon from the heavens! But in the end I’ll probably change it.

The tooth also makes more sense. Originally I was thinking the egg shell could symbolize the wizard summoning forth an enraged momma dragon. The gold coin was a token bribe. But the tooth from the maw of the beast itself works just as well.

I do however disagree a bit on the saving throws. While I can see making the initial target make a saving throw to avoid damage, the spell still went off and folks still witnessed the attack. I still think they should make saving throws even if the target succeeded in his roll. However I can see giveing them a circumstance bonus (i.e., they can see the target isn’t soiling himself after being nearly eaten by a dragon!).

Quick question, when you said “everyone who witnessed the attack”, did you mean just the folks in the area of the spell, or did you mean “Everyone”? I was thinking having it effect “Everyone” would make it too powerful.

Grifton Stocknorth
Wizard Extradornaire!

 

[Comicguy68]

I could see giving a circumstance bonus to anyone watching who sees the target save and doesn't take any damage. (you know, oh my god, a huge dragon just attacked kevin, wait a minute, he's not even bleeding!).

IMPO, I would make it affect everyone who sees it but give a circumstance bonus to those that were warned (hey guys, I'm about to cast Grifton's Maw!) and maybe a small one to those who've seen it before (is it just me or are there alot of dragons attacking our guys?).

 

[Grifton]

Now that I think about it, keeping it so that only effects a limited area of people doesn't make much sense ("Hey that dragon is a whopping 25 ft. away, he's no threat to us").

Grifton Stocknorth
Wizard Extradornaire!