The Ancient Tome of Dark Magic

[Dhavaer]

A few months ago, I found a collection of necromancy spells for AD&D. I'm trying to update and balance them for 3.5

Apothecary
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature Touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fort (Harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell transforms magical energy into life force, the effective reverse of life drain. The result is a minor healing spell wizards can employ. it heals 1d4 hp and grants a +2 bonus to saves against non-magical disease made in the next 24 hours.

Material Component: A freshly clipped strand of hair or a freshly clipped fingernail smeared with a bit of wood alcohol.

[NullAshton]

You didn't describe what school it was in, and any sub-schools. Other than that, it seems good. Good when the cleric is in negative HP and you don't want to just pray that he stablizes.

You also didn't describe if it is damage instead of healing for undead. Although, life drain does affect undead as well I think, so may be okay. Hmm.

[InaVegt]

He just stated it was a collection of NECROMANCY spells

[Dhavaer]

Autopsy
Divination/Necromancy
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, M
Casting Time: 1 minute
Duration: Special
Target: One corpse touched
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

With this spell a wizard can determine the cause of death of a corpse. No language restrictions apply, this is not a communication with the deceased. At higher levels, the spellcaster can learn more of the target's actions immediately prior to death.

{table]Wizard's Level | Maximum Time Dead| Maximum Time Frame Allowable
up to 5 |1 week |1/10 round
6-7 |1 month |1 round
8-10 |1 year |1 minute
11-13 |10 years |½ hour
14-17 |1000 years |1 hour
18+ |any age |1 hour[/table]
The maximum time frame allowable is the amount of time that the caster may learn about from the corpse. One question every two levels, starting at the 2nd, is allowable (none at 1st, one at
2-3, two at 4-5, etc.). The questions must be answered analytically, locations, actions of others; questions about intent, feelings of participants, etc. are not allowed. To facilitate this, the DM should answer as tersely as possible.
The material component is the corpse (or fragment thereof). The wizard must touch the corpse for the duration of the spell and concentrate deeply. Any interruption will waste the spell and spell charge.

[Pagz]

their awesom, nothing better than more spells to be able to cast

keep fighting the good fight

[Dhavaer]

Cremate
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 5 feet/level
Area: 50 cubic feet.
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None, Will Negates (see text)
Spell Resistance: No and Yes, see text

This spell incinerates dead bodies. Undead of 2HD or less must make a Will save or take 1d4 fire damage. Spell resistance applies to this effect.
Material Component: Ash from a cremation.

[PandaNecromancer]

Cremate
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 5 feet/level
Area: 50 cubic feet.
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None, Will Negates (see text)
Spell Resistance: No and Yes, see text

This spell incinerates dead bodies. Undead of 2HD or less must make a Will save or take 1d4 fire damage. Spell resistance applies to this effect.
Material Component: Ash from a cremation.

"I'm going to magically cremate this body!"
"Cool! Get to it!"
"...I can't."
"Why not?"
"I don't have the material component..."
"And that would be...?"
"Ash from a cremated body."
"..."

[Tack122]

I agree Warforged Necromancer there are better choices for material components... perhaps a corpse as the component?

[Dhavaer]

I'd be happy to remove the material component altogether. Having a corpse as the component would kind of negate the usefulness of the spell.

You're destroying a corpse... to destroy corpses. Huh.

[Dhavaer]

Dispel Lesser Undead
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Short
Target: 1 undead/2 levels, none of which may be more than 30 feet from any other.
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will Negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell can only affect undead of 2 Hd or lower. If such an undead fails the save it is utterly destroyed (as they say) and turns to dust.

[reorith]

ashes, soot or charcoal would make some flavorful material components

[Peregrine]

"I'm going to magically cremate this body!"
"Cool! Get to it!"
"...I can't."
"Why not?"
"I don't have the material component..."
"And that would be...?"
"Ash from a cremated body."
"..."

Well, you know, they use glass to make glass, and use paper to make paper, and stuff...

[potatocubed]

You're destroying a corpse... to destroy corpses. Huh.

Double the efficiency! :)

[Dhavaer]

Galen's Skeletal Hand
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 full round action
Effect: Animates dead hand into undead servant
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

Galen's Skeletal Hand animates a dead hand, turning it into a curious undead servant. The hand has 1d2 hit points and is incapable of attacking a creature for damage. The hand can appear skeletal or with flesh, depending on the condition of the hand when it was animated; this has no effect on the performance of its tasks. It can "walk" on its fingers (think "Thing" from the Addams Family) at a speed of 5, and while stationary, it can manipulate objects with a fair amount of dexterity. When holding a pen, it can take dictations from its creator (and only its creator), and can turn pages of books, hold items, etc. The hand remains animated until dispelled or until the spell is cancelled by the caster. The material component is one gold coin, which is consumed by the spell.

[Lysander]

Using a bit of ash from a cremated corpse makes sense. You only need a little pinch of ash and once you cast the spell you get enough new ash to cast the spell a hundred more times.

Also, shouldn't a permanent servant hand cost more than 1 coin? You need to put a time limit on that thing. Maybe make it 1/hour per level and change the material component to a fingernail.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

A few thoughts on the spell school...

Apothecary would likely have been changed to Conjuration (Healing), given that's the treatment other healing spells got. Of course, opinions on this tend to vary.

Third edition also did away with spells belonging to two different schools, so autopsy should probably be changed. Not changing it would cause some confusion on the part of a Diviner who has chosen Necromancy as a prohibited school. So I think say you should come up with how the magical energy obtains the autopsy information and choose the appropriate school for that.

[storybookknight]

Actually, if I saw correctly in the Spell Compendium they're phasing the multischool spells back in.

And yeah - healing spells are necromancies. Come on!

Edit: for clarification, yelling at WotC, not anyone here.

[Shhalahr Windrider]

Actually, if I saw correctly in the Spell Compendium they're phasing the multischool spells back in.

Oh, come on. They were a bad idea even in second edition for the reasons I stated above. But it was worse on account of poor game design. A second edition specialist had no choice whatsoever in prohibited schools. You could guarantee an Invoker (third edition changed it to Evoker) could not cast Enchantment or Conjuration spells. Yet this didn't stop them from making a combination Evocation/Enchantment spell (demand, page 240, Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Player's Handbook). So can an Invoker cast that or not? I don't know, this wasn't addressed in the rulebook.

Likewise, does the Invoker learn and cast incendiary cloud (also page 240) as an Evocation or an Alteration?

Even if there were rules that answered these questions, it still would feel too cumbersome to me. I think there will be a lot of additional rules (particularly from splatbooks) that will address specific schools. And then they have to specifically address the combination-school spells as well. It can get confusing very quickly.

No, please. Keep my spells in one school each. :P

[Dhavaer]

Ghast Blast
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Self
Area: 10 foot radius
Duration: 1 round/2 levels
Saving Throw: Fort negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

By means of this spell, the wizard creates a zone of carrion stench around his person that affects everyone but himself in the area. Those who fail the saving throw become nausated as long as they remain within the area and for one full round after.
Material Component: A piece of rotting meat.

[SpiderBrigade]

Just don't use it with Quicken spell against pirates.

"Ye foul wizard, Avast! Ye've passed your last fast-cast Ghast Blast!"

[Dhavaer]

Lesser Life Draining
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature Touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fort Half (see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes

Upon completing this spell, the caster must touch his or her intended target. That target sustains damage equal to 1d4 +1 point per level of the caster. Creatures of greater hit dice than the caster may make a save for half damage. In addition, the spell restores wounds to the caster equal to half the damage done (rounded down).

[potatocubed]

Just don't use it with Quicken spell against pirates.

"Ye foul wizard, Avast! Ye've passed your last fast-cast Ghast Blast!"

That made me spray coffee all over my keyboard. Nice work. ;D

BTW, Dhavaer, keep 'em coming. I like a bit more flavour for my necromancy.

[Dhavaer]

Reek
Necromancy/Evocation
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Short
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 hour/level
Saving Throw: Will Negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

The hapless victim of a Reek spell finds himself exuding a carrion stench akin to that of zombies, noticeable for up to 30 feet depending on conditions. Although disgusting, the wretched odor has no measurable adverse affects on those nearby (though your DM may rule that those with exceptionally low Constitution scores must make checks to avoid becoming nauseous or sick).
The smell can not be washed away, and even stromg perfumes can not completely mask it. The Reek will draw any insects or creatures usually attracted by carrion, and will be left behind for those that track by smell... Note that the smell itself is not magical.
Although normal means will not dissipate the odor before the spell elapses, a Remove Curse or Dispel Magic may do so. The caster may also end the spell at any time. Once the Reek has ended, the lingering effects will remain in clothing and equipment until they are cleaned.
The material component is a bit of carrion.

[PhoeKun]

Problem: you mention a duration for Reek, but it is listed as instantaneous. How long does it actually last?

[Dhavaer]

I copy/paste too much.

[wormwood]

Autopsy
Divination/Necromancy
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, M
Casting Time: 1 minute
Duration: Special
Target: One corpse touched
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

With this spell a wizard can determine the cause of death of a corpse. No language restrictions apply, this is not a communication with the deceased. At higher levels, the spellcaster can learn more of the target's actions immediately prior to death.

Wizard's Maximum Maximum Time
Level Time Dead Frame Allowable
up to 5 1 week 1/10 round
6-7 1 month 1 round
8-10 1 year 1 turn
11-13 10 years ½ hour
14-17 1000 years 1 hour
18+ any age 1 hour

The maximum time frame allowable is the amount of time that the caster may learn about from the corpse. One question every two levels, starting at the 2nd, is allowable (none at 1st, one at
2-3, two at 4-5, etc.). The questions must be answered analytically, locations, actions of others; questions about intent, feelings of participants, etc. are not allowed. To facilitate this, the DM should answer as tersely as possible.
The material component is the corpse (or fragment thereof). The wizard must touch the corpse for the duration of the spell and concentrate deeply. Any interruption will waste the spell and spell charge.

sorry to nitpick but turns don't exist anymore. you need to update that bit.

I do like the spells though.

[Dhavaer]

Selena's Worry Free Racial Purity Protector
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Target: Creature Touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fort negates (Harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes

Selena wrote this spell to insure that she never broke the racial purity of her elven blood due to sexual relations with humans. She also feels that the spell is also quite useful for keeping her life less complicated and lets her enjoy the now more fully. The spell is only useful for aborting fetuses, and can be used very late in the pregnancy. The spell is less painful to the mother the earlier the term of the pregnancy. The caster must touch the recipient's (which can be herself) abdomin for a turn while chanting the necessary verbal companents and holding the material companent in the air. The material componant is a deceased newborn animal and is consumed in the casting.

[Dhavaer]

Small Sisselei
Necromancy
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Short
Target: One living creature of large size or smaller
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fort Negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

The victim begins to shiver and twitch uncontrollably. They have a 50% chance to drop any item they hold (25% if they hold one item in both hands) and suffer a -3 penalty to attack rolls and AC.

[Umbral_Arcanist]

Selena's Worry Free Racial Purity Protector
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Target: Creature Touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fort negates (Harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes

Selena wrote this spell to insure that she never broke the racial purity of her elven blood due to sexual relations with humans. She also feels that the spell is also quite useful for keeping her life less complicated and lets her enjoy the now more fully. The spell is only useful for aborting fetuses, and can be used very late in the pregnancy. The spell is less painful to the mother the earlier the term of the pregnancy. The caster must touch the recipient's (which can be herself) abdomin for a turn while chanting the necessary verbal companents and holding the material companent in the air. The material componant is a deceased newborn animal and is consumed in the casting.

Hmmm, that is a spell that covers a touchy subject...... it seems to be that an evil alignment for that spell may be desired by some......

Also since it may not be necessarily "harmless", you can resist if you want, right?

[Dhavaer]

You can always resist when you want. You can make a save against a cure spell if you like.