Jake had always been a curious person. He loved exploring new things, pushing boundaries, and challenging traditional beliefs. It was this thirst for knowledge that led him to stumble upon an ancient spell while researching ancient civilizations. Little did he know, this spell would become a curse that would plague him for the rest of his days. At first, Jake was intrigued by the spell. Its incantation seemed harmless enough, promising to unlock hidden powers and knowledge beyond imagination.
Further saves are made vs the disease DC instead of the spell DC. So if they contract, say, Bubonic Plague they need to make a DC 17 Fort save every day to avoid the effects.
Is it just the saving throw to contract the disease that uses the Alchemist s own bomb effect DC, or are the save to avoid contracting the disease and the save to avoid ability damage one and the same. Plague is a particularly good example, since it has an additional effect that hinges on the impact of the first if the victim takes Constitution damage from the disease, they must make another saving throw or be fatigued.
Its incantation seemed harmless enough, promising to unlock hidden powers and knowledge beyond imagination. Ignoring the warnings of others, he decided to perform the spell, unaware of the consequences that would follow. Almost immediately after reciting the incantation, Jake felt a strange energy swirling around him.
Dramatic new spells based on the Plagues of Egypt
So, I have always felt the magic system in DnD was a little lacking in showy non-combat stuff.
So, inspired by abrihamic lore, I present four spells to let your players scare the F out of NPCs.
In terms of workshopping them, I'm looking for any feedback, but particularly on how to level them. I'd like them to be available semi-early on, maybe mid game, but to scale up well for high level play.
Red River
2nd Lv Transmutation
Range: 60 ft
Casting Time: 1 action
Duration: 1 day
Components: VSM (you must either touch the water with your spellcasting focus, or step into the water to cast this spell).
You target a supply or body of water that you can see within 60ft that is no larger than a pond or a stream and it turns into blood. The water remains as blood for one day.
If you cast this spell at a higher level you can target a larger amount of water, for instance, if you cast at 4th level you will be able to turn a lake or large river into blood. If you cast it at 6th level you will be able to turn all the water within thirty miles into blood. Your DM will judge what amount of water or area this spell can affect at each level.
Blacksun
*5th Lv Abjuration
Range: to the Sun
Casting Time: 1 action
Duration: 1 hour
Components: VS *
You reach out your hand and there is darkness in the land. The sun is blotted out of the sky for the duration of this spell. For the duration of this spell there is no sunlight. Other light source, either magical or mundane, work as normal.
If you cast this spell at 7th Level the spell can last for 8 hours. If you cast this spell at 9th Level, it can last for 24 hours.
Ravage the Land
*8th Lv Conjuration
Range: 50 mile radius
Casting Time: 1 hour
Duration: 1 month
Components: VS *
You summon a Plague to blight the land. Select one of the following plagues, roll a percentile dice, and add the modifier from the plague. This will determine what proportion of the targeted population will be affected by this plague over the coming month (maximum of 100%).
Plague | Target | % Modifier | Effect //
:--|:--|:--|:-- //
Frogs | Population | +10% |Inconvenience //
Lice | Population | -20%| All effected -1 Con checks and saves. //
Wolves (or similar)| Population & Livestock | -50% | Wolves will attack the people and their animals //
Locusts|Crops|+50%|Locusts will eat the crops, creating food shortages and possible a famine //
Boils| Population |±0%|Pain, -1 Cha checks. //
Pestilence| Livestock |-30%|The livestock will start to die or be otherwise inedible. Will cause food shortages and possibly famine //
Pestilence| Population | +15% | The effected population will have the diseased condition //
(so, in the comments I'll explain some of the reasoning behind this odd construction)
Rain of Fire
*5th Lv Conjuration
Range: 100 ft radius
Casting Time: 1 action
Duration: 1 hour
Components: VS *
You raise up your arms, summoning claps of thunder and a rain of fire from the skies. A 100 foot radius centred on you is filled with streaks of flame falling from the sky. Any creature in must take 1d6 fire damage every time they begin their turn, or move into that space. All flammable items that are not being worn are ignited.
If you cast this spell at a higher level, you can increase the radius by 50 ft per level above fifth.
So, there's four spells to let lose on your game. Let me know what youse think.
. and yes, one is conspicuous by its absence and that is by design ;)
It was as if an unseen force had entered his body, binding him to the spell's power. At first, he saw this as a blessing, believing he had gained the knowledge and abilities he had sought. However, as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Jake realized the true nature of the spell. It wasn't a gift; it was a curse that had taken hold of his very being. He found himself plagued by unrelenting visions and nightmares, each more haunting than the last. His mind became a battleground of chaos and confusion. The spell had altered Jake's perception of reality. He would see things that weren't there, hear voices that no one else could hear, and feel sensations that couldn't possibly be real. Days blended into nights, and time lost all meaning. The spell had trapped Jake in a perpetual state of torment. Desperate to break free from the curse's grip, Jake sought help from experts in ancient magic and the occult. He scoured countless books, seeking a way to reverse the spell's effects. But no matter what he tried, the curse held strong, refusing to release its hold on his tortured soul. The once curious and adventurous Jake became a mere shell of his former self. The spell had stripped away his vitality, leaving him exhausted and defeated. Every day was a battle against the overwhelming power of the curse, with no end in sight. In the end, Jake learned a painful lesson about the pursuit of knowledge without considering the consequences. The spell that had initially fascinated him had become a burden, consuming his every thought and robbing him of his happiness. **The spell that plagues Jake** serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of understanding the potential consequences before delving into the unknown. Jake's story is a stark reminder that sometimes, the allure of knowledge can come at a great cost..
Reviews for "A Race Against Time: Jake's Quest to Break the Spell"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I was really excited to read 'The Spell that Plagues Jake' after hearing all the rave reviews, but I was ultimately disappointed. The writing felt dull and unengaging, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters. The plot felt disjointed and vague, leaving me with more questions than answers. Overall, this book just wasn't for me."
2. Michael - 3/5 stars - "While 'The Spell that Plagues Jake' had an interesting premise, I found the execution lacking. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of slow buildup followed by rushed climactic moments. The characters felt underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to feel invested in their fates. The resolution also left me wanting more, as it felt rushed and not fully satisfying. I appreciate the effort put into this book, but it didn't quite deliver for me."
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'The Spell that Plagues Jake' based on the intriguing synopsis, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The dialogue was stilted, with unnatural exchanges that took me out of the story. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me confused about the rules and logic of the magical elements. Additionally, the pacing felt off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed action scenes that were hard to follow. Overall, it didn't live up to my expectations."
4. John - 1/5 stars - "I couldn't get past the first few chapters of 'The Spell that Plagues Jake.' The writing style was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow the plot. The characters were one-dimensional, and their actions felt forced and unrealistic. I found myself constantly losing interest and struggling to stay engaged with the story. Unfortunately, this book just didn't hold my attention, and I had to give up on it."