Gaunt
by Rob McDonald () on 5/10/96
From the Spellbook of Grymryck the Outsider
Human, Necromancer (Philosopher), 17th level
- Level
- 2
- School
- Necromancy, Alteration
- Sphere
- Range
- 30 yards
- VSM
- V, S, M
- Dur
- Special
- CT
- 2
- AE
- One creature
- ST
- Neg.
Spell description
The GAUNT spell causes the subjected creature to undergo a horrible transformation
into a pale, emaciated, corpse-like version of itself - its skin will become
gray-white and shrink to become stretched tautly over its skeleton, muscle
mass will disappear, its eyes will become lusterless and seem to protrude
from thin eyelids, etc. This change takes place in but the single round
after which the GAUNT spell is cast. The process is painless, and may be
unnoticed by the victim unless he is able to see his reflection or some
exposed part of his body, or he may find his clothing and armor are mysteriously
loose-fitting...
Despite the creature's apparent condition, the metamorphosis is entirely
cosmetic. All the its attributes remain unchanged, such as mass, general
size, etc., as do its abilities. The subject will not feel any less healthy
or youthful. A creature with a measurable Charisma (or Comeliness) will
find this score effectively lowered to 3, as observers will most likely
take the afflicted as one of the walking dead. The GAUNT spell is not illusory,
and touch will not dispel it; only the caster, a REMOVE CURSE or DISPEL
MAGIC may end the spell. Unwilling recipients receive a save vs. spell to
avoid the effect.
The material components are an old dead leaf and a few pieces of dried parchment,
which are crumbled into dust and blown into the air in the direction of
the intended recipient.
Note that this spell can be an effective tool in extorting information or
help from an individual, who may be easily convinced he is now undead, or
who simply wishes to be returned to normal. It is also especially effective
when combined with other spells (like REEK or TOOTH AND NAIL, qqv.), which
can create quasi-undead that can not be turned, fight and cast as living
creatures, etc., quite a surprise to the casual and careless undead hunter...
Created using Sylvain Robert's form by the person whose name appears
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by Sylvain Robert