Thursday Thaumaturgy
The king looked up as the door opened and the queen entered the royal bedchamber. She pulled up short and pushed her long blond tresses out of her eyes.
“Husband,” she said, clearly surprised. “I thought you were hunting with the Duke today.”
The king smiled grimly. “The hunt has concluded, my love.”
She looked at him. “What is it?” she finally asked. “Is something on your mind?”
The king gave a little chuckle, but it was without mirth. “Mortrand has been…advising…me of your efforts to make the Duke feel at home.”
A little of the color drained from her face. “You instructed that every comfort should be extended, husband,” she said. “I know how important these negotiations are. If successful, our kingdom’s place is assured.”
The king rose. “Does that comfort extend to this chamber?” he asked her quietly.
The queen’s eyes widened. “What has that villainous mage been whispering in your ear, my king?” she hissed. “What lies has he been telling you?”
“He hasn’t told me anything,” the king assured her. “He has shown me.” He looked over at the tall mirror in the oval wooden frame that stood in the corner of the chamber facing the rest of the room. “He’s shown me things I would never have believed.”
He stalked toward the door, stopping as he passed her. “Tell the servants that the Duke will not be at dinner,” he instructed. “He fell from his horse while hunting today. Tragically, his injury was mortal…”
Mirror of Yesterday
Spell Level: M1
Range: 10′
Duration: 1 turnCasting this spell upon a mirror allows anything that has been reflected in its surface to be replayed. The viewer must stand in relation to the mirror where the original reflection would have been seen, e.g., standing directly in front of the mirror reveals what was directly in front of the mirror, while standing off to one side shows events off to the opposite side. The images have the same lighting conditions as existed at the time.
The distance into the past that can be seen is dependent upon the caster’s level:
1st – 1 turn
2nd – 1 hour
3rd – 6 hours
4th – 12 hours
5th – 1 day
6th – 1 week
7th – 1 month
8th – 6 months
9th – 1 year
10th – 10 years
11th+ – 10 additional years for every level above 10thThe caster can state how far back he wants to view, and the images on the mirror will flash past at high speed as it zips to the correct time frame.
Treat this as a VCR with a shuttle switch. Note that there is no sound with the playback.
I was reminded of this spell by Bat’s post today: Mindseye Mirror.
This is how spirit snakes are created:
Summon Spirit Snake
Spell Level: M3, C3
Range: 10′
Duration: PermanentThe caster of this spell creates one spirit snake guardian which must be assigned to one object or specific location. The hit dice of the spirit snake depends upon the level of the caster:
- 5th-6th level caster: 2 HD spirit snake
- 7th-8th level caster: 3 HD spirit snake
- 9th-10th level caster: 4 HD spirit snake
- 12th level or higher caster: 5 HD spirit snake
The creator of a spirit snake may dispel it automatically within a range of 10′.
This means that PC spellcasters in S&W White Box (which limits PCs to 10th level) cannot create 5 HD spirit snakes. This seems in keeping with the reduced power levels of the game. Of course, that doesn’t mean that 5 HD spirit snakes cannot be encountered, perhaps having been created by legendary wizards, ancient liches, or demonic beings. (The last category includes nasty and heartless game masters…)
Sparking Portcullis
Spell Level: M1
Range: 10′
Duration: 1 minute + 1 minute/levelThis spell affects one doorway, archway, or other similar opening that serves as an entrance/exit to a room or passageway. When cast, the opening shimmers with sparks and arcing energy. Any passing through the portal suffer 2d6 electrical damage (save for half damage).
This low-level spell could come in handy when fleeing pursuers or for adventurers needing an extra couple of rounds to prepare weapons or spells.
Old-school dungeoneering can certainly strain the carrying capacity of the modern adventuring party. And when ghouls scare off the torch bearers and eat the porters, how are hard-working PCs supposed to get the loot back to town so it can be spent on carousing?
Bottomless Bag
Spell Level: M1
Range: 30′
Duration: 1 hour + 1 hour/levelThis spell turns a normal small sack into a bag of holding for the duration of the spell. The maximum volume held is 10′x5′x3′, and up to 1,000 pounds may be contained while the bag weighs a maximum of 50 pounds. If the bag holds more than it’s normal capacity when the spell expires, it bursts and the contents are hurled out forcefully.
UPDATE: The initial write-up stated that items in the bag at the end of the spell were lost forever. I altered it to shower them all over the place instead.
This spell will be making an appearance in my Forbidden City Sandbox campaign:
Dread of the Scarecrow
Spell Level: C3, M2
Range: Touch
Duration: 1 day per caster levelThis spell causes an aura of fear and dread to form at a 10′ radius around a scarecrow or similar object. Creatures that enter this aura must save or flee in panic for 1d6 rounds back the way they came. Those that save will still feel uncomfortable within the aura and wish to leave it. Avoiding looking at the scarecrow gives a +2 on the saving throw.
Tags: Forbidden Jungle
Be sure to check out The Cursed Tome of Mar-Karakor and The Cursed Tome of Mar-Karakor pt2 for some good old-school spells.
I’m going to make a clerical version of one for my current campaign:
Robe of Shadows
Level: C2
Duration: 1 Turn
Range: CasterThe caster is draped in writhing shadows, granting a -2 bonus to AC.
It fits an NPC cleric and her godling perfectly.
