A while back, I wrote a generator of random spell names in Excel. And decided to write up descriptions for some of these random incantations. In the meantime, I stumbled upon Paul's Gameblog, who's doing the same thing... and from his posts, I also learned about a magnificent tool: Inspiration Pad Pro, a versatile (and free! free as a Windows desktop application; and reasonably priced as an app for tablets/devices; you can also use chartopia for your online random generation needs!) piece of software you can use to create random generators!
The .ipt file for my generator is here - I've extended it, so now it gives you a weird spell name, and some basic ideas about the spell's obscurity and casting requirements (this second half is still very much work-in-progress; for the following write-ups I didn't use them).
Grant
Body (5th
level spell, affects: one incorporeal/disembodied entity, duration: special,
range: 60’)
This
spell forces one incorporeal or disembodied entity (ghosts, spectres, floating
souls and the like) into a nearby body of a creature. The body must be in a relatively
good condition, e.g. recently deceased, not burned to cinders or dissolved in
acid. If the body is already occupied (e.g. if it is a living human with a
soul), the current “owner” of the body gets to save vs. Spells. An unwilling
entity can also save vs. Spells to resist the arcane compulsion.
However,
as with all necromantic spells, there is a risk of the material body and the
immaterial substance rejecting each other. Make a Reaction roll:
|
2 |
The body
rejects the entity and is irrevocably damaged in the process. |
|
3–5 |
The entity is
instantly ejected from the body and takes one die of damage. |
|
6–8 |
The entity
enters the body, can see, sense & hear through it (speak – at Referee’s
discretion), but cannot move or take actions. This state lasts for 1–8 turns,
then the entity is ejected from the body without harm. |
|
9–11 |
The entity takes
full control of the body. The possession lasts 3–24 turns, then the entity is
ejected from the body without harm |
|
12 |
Full
compatibility. The entity is in control until the body’s physical destruction;
but cannot leave it voluntarily. |
Recall
Dreams (2nd
level spell, affects: one target, duration: instantaneous, range: touch)
“I
can say it again: some ideas arrive in the form of a dream,” – as one of the greatest sybils
of our time declared. However, the mind is not always capable of comprehending
the greater oneiric truths. This spell aids the target (the caster or anybody
they touch) to recall the dream in vivid details, reliving it, but not forgetting
like one would upon awakening. If the caster or the target have a Wisdom
of 15 or more, they are considered to be lucid dreamers, and can assert some
control over how the dream is recalled, perhaps can even obtain additional
information, move in a different direction inside the dreamworld than during
the original slumber.
Shallow
Skin of Metal
(2nd level spell, affects: one target, duration: 1 + 1 turn/level, range: 30’)
The
spell creates a layer of metal just under the skin of the target. This layer
provides effective protection against mundane weapons: the person in considered
to be wearing plate armor, and all damage is reduced by 1. Movement and
reflexes are not hindered in any way. However, at the end of the spell’s
duration, as the sorcerous metal dissolves, the person must save vs. Poison or lose
a hit die and re-roll their maximum hit points with the new amount. Reduction
to zero hit die means death.
Sign
of False Vitality
(1st level spell, affects: one target, duration: 1 turn/level, range: 10’)
With
this illusion, a dead body can be made to appear just a sleeping or resting
person. Injuries and signs of decay are masked, and there is even an illusion
of breathing and a beating pulse. An onlooker won’t be able to tell by a cursory
glance if the target is dead; and a save vs. Spells must be made if the corpse
is investigated. If an especially suspicious or curious person tries to awaken the
corpse, then, of course, the spell is automatically broken. Can also be used to
make an undead creature appear living for the duration of the enchantment.
