Hold Missiles
by Rob McDonald (none.yet.com) on 96/04/29
From the Spellbook of Caspern
Human, Wizard, 11th level
- Level
- 3
- School
- Sphere
- Abj., Ench./Charm
- Range
- 10 yards/level
- VSM
- V, S, M
- Dur
- 1 round/level
- CT
- 3
- AE
- Plane of 25 ft2/level
- ST
- None
Spell description
This spell creates a plane of magical force through which missiles and hurled
objects cannot immediately pass - this includes arrows, bolts, stones, axes,
javelins, etc. Any missile entering the area from either side simply stops,
remaining motionless where it flew until the spell ends, at which time it
resumes its original trajectory. This plane need not be anchored to a wall
or floor, nor need it be vertical or horizontal. The caster may align the
plane however he sees fit within spell range, although it cannot be curved,
and it must be rectangular in shape, not exceeding 25 square feet per caster
level. Once established the plane cannot be moved. The plane is not visible,
but the caster can see it with no difficulty, and spells such as DETECT
MAGIC and TRUE SEEING will reveal it easily; DETECT INVISIBILITY will not
locate the plane, as it has no physical form to see.
The HOLD MISSILES spell will only stop projectiles, i.e. objects hurled
with force - it has no effect on dropped or flying objects (such as a SWORD
OF DANCING). Likewise, HOLD MISSILES cannot affect living or animated creatures
(birds, hovering skulls, etc.), even if the creature were, say, fired from
a catapult. Although enchanted missiles such as ARROWS OF SLAYING and JAVELINS
OF LIGHTNING are held by this spell, spell-created missiles like MAGIC MISSILE
and FLAME ARROW are not, nor are energy discharges (e.g. LIGHTNING BOLT).
Although there is no upper limit to the total weight of missiles being held,
only individual objects of less than 10 lbs. per caster level will be stopped
by this spell.
While missiles are being held they may be retrieved simply by "plucking"
them from the air, thus rendering them harmless (although a JAVELIN OF LIGHTNING
might prove problematic); however, there is a 5% (non-cumulative) chance
per attempt that the disturbance foils the spell, allowing the missiles
to resume their original courses. Unless ruined in this fashion, dispelled,
or ended by a single word from the caster, the HOLD MISSILES spell lasts
1 round per caster level.
The material component is a feather, which is broken at the time the plane
comes into being.
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