Spells for a MBEG

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

(Medium Bad Evil Guy)

Picture Gargamel, if Gargamel was from Conan's Stygia.

He's a Neutral Evil (secretly) Set-worshipping transmuter around 9th level with a cat familiar, probably no prestige class. Because he's a real crapweasel, he should always have escape spells prepared, although he's too low a level, I think, for Sudden Quicken. He also needs a fair amount of spells that can be cast with only verbal components and spells that are naturally a swift or immediate action to cast.

I'm working on some custom spells for him, for flavor's sake. Feedback and suggestions welcome:

Serpent Bolt of Khenemet-Apep
Evocation [Acid]

Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Targets: One creature
Duration: One round/level
Saving Throw: Fortitude
Spell Resistance: Yes

A translucent green glowing serpent wriggles forth from your fingertip and leaps through the air at its target.

The bolt strikes unerringly, dealing 1d6 points of acid damage, even if the target is in melee combat or has less than total cover or total concealment. Specific parts of a creature can’t be singled out. Inanimate objects are not damaged by the spell. Once the serpent has bitten a target, it remains locked onto the target, its teeth pumping forth more acidic venom, doing an additional 1 point of damage. The serpent remains attached for one round per level, unless "killed" and removed. The serpent bolt has hit points equal to the caster's level and armor class 10.

Speak with Serpents
Divination
Level: Clr 0, Sor/Wiz 0

As speak with animals, but the spell only works on snakes. The spell was originally developed by the faithful of Set in Kem.

 

[drexes]

I like the first spell except that I think the snake should be removable with an opposed strength check. You could use a constrictor snake as a baseline for the DC.

You could have him use normal spells with a more unique flavor. For instance he seems to like snakes so what if instead of rope trick, he used Serpent's Succor or some such. The spell would have the same net effect except that when he cast it a giant constrictor snake would burst forth from a billowing cloud and entangle him before disappearing in a hiss... Just a 2 second thought, but simple changes can really baffle some players.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I like the first spell except that I think the snake should be removable with an opposed strength check. You could use a constrictor snake as a baseline for the DC.

You could have him use normal spells with a more unique flavor. For instance he seems to like snakes so what if instead of rope trick, he used Serpent's Succor or some such. The spell would have the same net effect except that when he cast it a giant constrictor snake would burst forth from a billowing cloud and entangle him before disappearing in a hiss... Just a 2 second thought, but simple changes can really baffle some players.

Excellent suggestions, thank you.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Summon Viper Swarm

Summon Viper Swarm
Conjuration (Summoning)
Level: Clr 3, Drd 3, Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: 1 round
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect: One swarm of vipers
Duration: Concentration + 2 rounds
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

As summon swarm, but the spell summons a swarm of vipers (see Fiend Folio) instead. The spell was originally developed by the priesthood of Set.

Arcane Material Component: A twisted green root.

 

[domino]

There is, I think in FR the feat "Spell Thematics" that makes your spells fit a certain idiom, when cast. It also increases the Spellcraft DC to figure out what spells they are.

For instance, if you had a bird theme, with Spell Thematics, magic missile might manifest as a small bird of energy that flies towards the enemy, before slamming into him.