Silence domain?

[Zappo]

I'm writing up something for a CG god of strength and silence. So, of course I give him strength, good, and chaos. And, as a fourth domain, a "silence domain" would be gold.

As a granted power, it could give the Silent Spell feat for free, but what about the spells? Silence, ok, then what? I am ready to create a few new spells explicitly for this domain, but not eight of them.

Maybe something tranquility-related, like Calm Emotions, but still I have lots of blanks to fill. Help?

 

[cptg1481]

Shhhhhhhhhh!

The silence domain is in the library.....

Shhhhhhhhhh!

JK - Couldn't resist

 

[Nifft]

Stasis Domain

1: Hold Portal
2: Silence
3: Meld into Stone
4: Dimensional Anchor
5: Hold Monster
6: Anti-Life Shell
7: Repulsion
8: Dimensional Lock
9: Soul Bind

-- N

 

[Li Shenron]

Let me try...

1st Message or Silent Image
2nd Silence
3rd Blindness/Deafness or Deep Slumber
4th Deep Slumber or Sculpt Sound
5th Sculpt Sound or Telepathic Bond
6th Zone of Silence
7th Power Word Deafen ?
8th Temporal Stasis
9th Imprisonment or Time Stop

Take into account that you can decide to grant for example a non-Cleric spell at 1 level higher than it is in the Wiz/Sor list, or otherwise to grant a Cleric spell at 1 level lower (so that a Cleric with this domain gets it earlier).

I think you can have 1 or 2 spells which allow soundless conversation: Message (a Wiz/Sor 0th spell) and/or Telepathic Bond.
Then some powerful spells which indirectly "shut the target's mouth up" such as Temporal Stasis, Time Stop or Imprisonment.

 

[FireLance]

Some modifications to existing spells may be good too.

Command: Quiet (1st) - As Command, but subject cannot speak.
Silence (2nd) - Negates sound in 15' radius.
Silent Moves (3rd) - As Find Traps, but no verbal component and you gain insight bonus to Move Silently checks.
Spell Immunity to Sound (4th) - As Spell Immunity, but affects [Sonic] and [Language-dependent] spells only.
Greater Command: Quiet (5th) - As Greater Command, but subjects cannot speak.
Antisonic Field (6th) - As Antimagic Field, but affects [Sonic] and [Language-dependent] spells only.
Sonic Immunity (7th) - As Endure Elements, but subject gains immunity to sonic energy.
Greater Spell Immunity to Sound (8th) - As Greater Spell Immunity, but affects [Sonic] and [Language-dependent] spells only.
Eternity of Silence (9th) - As Wail of the Banshee, but somatic component instead of verbal component, duration of permanent instead of instantaneous, and targets are struck deaf and mute instead of being killed.

Since the domain spells are generally weaker (being more specific) than the base spells, you might allow a slightly better domain power. In addition to the Still Spell metamagic feat, Move Silently is added to the character's cleric class skill.

 

[Zappo]

Modifying the existing spells as FireLance suggested renders them far too weak I think, though they are also more appropriate. Maybe I could mix the two lists somehow.

What do you think about a Poewr Word: Mute spell? It would be very powerful against spellcasters, especially wizards and sorcerors who have low HP ( = they are susceptible to power words) and can't do anything when muted. Maybe 8th level?

 

[Nifft]

What do you think about a Poewr Word: Mute spell?

Power Word: Deaf (7th level, since Blindness/Deafness is a single spell)

Power Word: Mute (8th level, since it's nearly as powerful as Power Word: Stun against spellcasters)

Also, pull in the 4th level Bard spell "Zone of Silence".

-- N

 

[Zappo]

What about the duration of PW: Mute? PW: Stun's duration would be too short, but PW: Blind duration could be too long...

 

[Nifft]

What about the duration of PW: Mute? PW: Stun's duration would be too short, but PW: Blind duration could be too long...

Remember that you're NOT supposed to balance these Power Words against true arcane Power Words... they're free spells for a cleric, who's supposed to have weaker attack spells than a sor/wiz.

I'd say that keeping the durations the same is fine.

-- N

 

[Zappo]

Here's a draft. I'm trying to integrate suggestions for the best effect...

Silence Domain
Power: the cleric gains Silent Spell for free. Move Silently is a class skill.
1st: Message
2nd: Silence
3rd: Silent Moves*
4th: Deep Slumber
5th: Zone of Silence
6th: Silent Moves, Mass*
7th: Power Word: Deafen*
8th: Power Word: Mute*
9th: Eternity of Silence*
* new spell

Eternity of Silence
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-affecting]
Level: Silence 9
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature/level within a 40-ft.-radius spread
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: yes
This spell curses the subjects with eternal silence. Those who fail their saving throw are rendered permanently mute. Only wish, limited wish or miracle can cure the victims.

Power Word Deafen
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-affecting]
Level: Silence 7
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature with 200 hp or less
Duration: See text
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: yes
You utter a single word of power that causes one creature of your choice to become deafened, whether the creature can hear the word or not. The duration of the spell depends on the target’s current hit point total. Any creature that currently has 201 or more hit points is unaffected by power word deafen.
Hit Points....Duration
50 or less....Permanent
51–100........1d4+1 minutes
101–200.......1d4+1 rounds

Power Word Mute
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-affecting]
Level: Silence 8
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature with 200 hp or less
Duration: See text
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: yes
You utter a single word of power that causes one creature of your choice to become mute, whether the creature can hear the word or not. The duration of the spell depends on the target’s current hit point total. Any creature that currently has 201 or more hit points is unaffected by power word mute.
Hit Points....Duration
50 or less....Permanent
51–100........1d4+1 minutes
101–200.......1d4+1 rounds

Silent Moves
Transmutation
Level: Silence 3
Components: S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 minute/level
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no
This spell allows you to move smoothly, giving you an instinctive knowledge of the best movements to avoid noise. You gain an insight bonus to your Move Silently checks equal to half your caster level for the duration of the spell.

Silent Moves, Mass
Transmutation
Level: Silence 6
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature per level
Saving Throw: Will (harmless)
Spell Resistance: yes (harmless)
This spell is the same as Silent Moves, except as noted above.