Scourge (Necromancy)
Sphere: Necromantic
Range: 120 yards
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Permanent
Casting Time: 8
Area of Effect: 1 creature per level
Saving Throw: Neg.
This nasty spell causes a major disease and weakness in victims who fail a
saving throw vs. spells at a –3 penalty. Afflicted individuals are immediately
stricken with a sickening scourge that quickly spreads to cover their entire bodies. The blackened boils,
magenta blotches, violet lesions, seeping abscesses, and malignant cysts are
excruciatingly painful, and highly debilitating.
In the short term, the Strength, Dexterity, and Charisma of each victim are
reduced by 3. Attack rolls are similarly decreased by 3. The agonizing symptoms
persist until a victim receives a cure disease, heal, or restoration spell bestowed by a more powerful priest than the original caster. Dispel magic and remove curse are powerless to mediate the symptoms of a scourge, but a
wish will eradicate the infection immediately.
A scourge may also lead to a long-term, debilitating illness. Those ignoring the
malignant disease resulting from the spell’s effects for more than a few days may be
susceptible to much worse afflictions (such as gangrene, plague, or leprosy)
that ultimately result in the victim’s untimely death within 1–4 weeks.
Furthermore, if a victim of the spell enters an area of dense population,
there is always a chance that the disease may spread (1% per caster level) into an
epidemic of massive proportions. These long-term effects of the scourge are
left to the discretion of the DM.
The material component is a specially prepared, black whip or riding crop,
which is cracked in the direction of the intended victims during the casting of
the spell. Because of its horrific affect, scourge is typically only granted to high priests of a malignant and evil god who is
dedicated to spreading death and disease.
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