Eighty Incantations

Discern Living Creature
Divination
Effective Level: 1
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 15, 1 success
Failure: false response
Components: V, S, M, F
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: Close
Target or targets: one object
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: None

This divination can tell a curious spellcaster whether something unusual is actually a living creature: a petrified person or a statue, an intelligent magic item, a dormant elemental. The incantation's definition of "living" is fairly broad, including such classes of being as undead, fiends, and magically animated constructs, so it gives very little information on what type of being the object might be.

Failure: Failure gives an incorrect response.
Material component: A small amount of red and green chalk dust
Backlash: none
Extra casters: none

Variations of this incantation are known, though each must be learned individually. These include discern magic item, discern good item, and its evil, axiomatic, and anarchic counterparts.

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Find the Styx
Divination
Effective Level: 5
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 21 2 successes, Knowledge (the Planes) DC 21 3 successes
Failure: opposite of correct direction
Components: V, S, M, B, SC (optional)
Casting Time: 50 minutes
Range: one planar layer
Target or targets: one willing creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

The caster cuts a willing, intelligent creature and mixes their blood with ink made from the water of the Styx. The creature cut feels the day's memories flowing out of them. (This takes any spell preparation done that day, as well as any XP earned that day.) If the ritual is successful, they can realize which direction the memories are flowing, and that way lies the nearest branch of the Styx. If the ritual is performed on a planar layer which does not currently contain a branch of the Styx, the memories are lost to the astral currents.

Failure: You get the opposite of the correct information
Material component: A vial of ink made with a little Styx water, which must be mixed on a flat surface with 2d6 hit points of fresh blood.
Backlash: The cut creature loses their memories of the day since waking up.
Extra casters: No, although the memories lost may be sacrificed by someone other than the caster. These persons may be considered secondary casters and can make the skill rolls.

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Tornado Strike
Evocation
Effective Level: 8
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 28, 4 successes, Knowledge (Nature) DC 28, 4 successes
Failure: nothing or tornado tracks subject
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 80 minutes
Range: Close
Target or targets: a 10' by 10' square of terrain
Duration: 3 minutes
Saving Throw: Ref negates (DC 18 + caster's Cha modifier)
Spell Resistance: Yes

If cast outside under cloudy and windy conditions, this incantation draws down a tornado to wreak havoc. The caster must inscribe, in a place visible to the sky, a magic circle 10 feet in diameter with detailed symbols, using 500gp of powdered silver, tin, and thunderbolt iron. When the incantation is complete, a funnel cloud begins forming above the marked site. Ten minutes later, a cyclone equivalent to a whirlwind spell touches down. The caster thereafter has no control over the cyclone, which will move with ambient winds, but siting the circle upwind of a target can cause impressive damage to masses of personnel and light structures.

This incantation can be counterspelled by whirlwind or control weather, and ambient winds can attempt to redirect it (the cyclone saves against control attempts at +10 to relevant saves).

Failure: If one of the two rolls failed is the Knowledge (Nature) roll, the caster miscalculated the meteorological conditions, and the tornado does not form. If both failed rolls are the Arcana rolls, the tornado targets the caster as if he were the target of a whirlwind spell (including duration).
Material component: 500gp of mixed powdered silver, tin, and thunderbolt iron.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Join the Dark Sisterhood
Transmutation
Effective Level: 8
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 30, 8 successes
Failure: death of the target
Components: V, S, M, B
Casting Time: 8 hours
Range: Close (25 feet)
Target or targets: one willing humanoid female
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: No
Spell Resistance: No

Even the existence of this incantation is known to precious few beings in the multiverse. It is similar to a polymorph effect, with two exceptions. First, it only functions on willing humanoid females (completely unenchanted; the target must participate in the ritual, and even an ongoing benign enchantment or protection spell will interfere with the magic), and only transforms them into night hags. Second, it is not of permanent duration: it is instantaneous. It can never thereafter be dispelled. Somehow, the incantation changes the target from the root of her being.

The transformed target loses all previous racial traits and becomes a night hag with all abilities, her memories and personality intact. (Her alignment would change, except it is a deeply neutral evil act to be willing to become a night hag in the first place.) She retains enough of her original looks that she can be recognized by former acquaintances, if she is not taking on a different form. She either changes her previous HD to outsider and gains enough to make 8 HD, or all of her HD change to outsider. She retains any class levels for which a hag can qualify.

For the incantation, the target is taken to the Gray Waste and begins a complex dance with eight hags at the points of a compass. They raise a cacophony of voices, slaying valuable larvae to write huge pictograms in their juices, and drizzling their own blood and that of the target in great sweeps. Hours later, if the recipient has survived the ordeal, a new hag has joined their ranks.

Changing one's true species is normally supposed to be as near impossible as becoming a god, or at least as difficult as becoming a proxy. The hags that know this ritual are the oldest and most learned in the sisterhood's filthy lore, and they must be skilled indeed to succeed with this complex rite. The arcanoloths have expressed interest but as far as anyone who knows knows, the elder hags have said nothing to them. A few rogue modrons interested in the principles involved, hoping to find a way to rejoin the Logos Mind, have made inquiries themselves, but are unlikely to have any more luck.

Failure: death of the target
Material component: 500gp worth of larvae and 2d6 hp of blood from each caster, plus 2d6 hp of blood from the recipient
Backlash: 2d6 damage to every hag in the circle
Extra casters: seven additional hags, for a total of nine. . . when the casting is done.

Break Incanted Enchantment
Abjuration
Effective Level: 5
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 20, 3 successes, Spellcraft DC 20, 2 successes
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 hour
Range: close
Target or targets: one creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: as for break enchantment
Spell Resistance: No

This long, slow chanted ritual functions as break enchantment on one creature, but only for incantations with ongoing effects.

Material component: quiet working space and holy water or other religious implements of about 100gp in total. The specific items required vary by the incantation writer's tradition.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: none

Protectiveness
Enchantment (Fear, Compulsion, Mind-Affecting)
Effective Level: 3
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 18, 1 success, Bluff DC 18, 2 successes
Failure: target is made aware of attempted manipulation
Components: V, S, M, F
Casting Time: 30 minutes
Range: Long (450 feet; distance target must be when incantation completed)
Target or targets: one protector
Duration: 3 days
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 13 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes (Good outsiders halve)

The target of this incantation is someone with a desire to protect someone else: it functions on good outsiders, good and neutrally-aligned creatures of celestial heritage, any being charged with magically protecting a living creature, spellcasters and familiars or animal companions, some kin and good friends. Outsiders with the good subtype in particular halve any natural spell resistance.

If the target fails to resist, their natural protective instincts are enhanced toward a particular ward. Normally, this manifests as only a slightly noticeable increase in intervention on their behalf (someone who knows the target well can make a Sense Motive check with the same DC as the incantation to realize this, once they have observed the target for a while).

However, if the designated ward is injured violently, the target sees red, immediately entering a state of rage as per a barbarian of 5th level, and preferentially physically attacking the target that injured their ward with intent to kill. Since the likely targets for this incantation often have useful spells or spell-like abilities, this is usually a hindrance, though warrior aasimon have been known on rare occasions to use it.

Acting in a rage is dangerous to lawful alignments and an overaggressive attack can be troublesome to good alignment. Targets can make a second save at +5 if anger seems about to drive them to a counter-alignment act. Success ends the incantation.

If the ward goes missing, the target is shaken for the duration of the incantation.

Treat this incantation as 3rd-level enchantment cast by a 5th-level caster for the purposes of dispelling magics.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, both the target and the designated protectee are vaguely aware that someone has attempted to ensorcel them. Magical investigation may reveal more identifying details.
Material component: a hair or other piece of the one to be protected, made part of a small doll of roughly the same shape. If the doll is destroyed, the incantation ends.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: none required, though making the doll while listening to a liar lie lets someone else make the Bluff checks.

Obsession
Enchantment (Compulsion, Mind-affecting)
Effective Level: 9
Skill Check: 31: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 31, 6 successes, Bluff or Diplomacy DC 31, 3 successes
Failure: taget is aware, and angry
Components: V, S, M, F, XP, SC, B
Casting Time: Nine or more hours
Range: 25 feet; target must be unconscious
Target or targets: one creature
Duration: permanent
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 19 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes (Good outsiders halve)

The summit of the art among students of the puppetry of desire, this powerful incantation causes the target to become completely obsessed with a chosen other, which need not be the caster at all, or even present.

The target, usually bound or unconscious, must be brought at sunset of the night of a full moon to a location prepared beforehand with extensive trappings of arcana and lust: wine, perfumes, satin, candles of powerful herbs, and other luxuries, costing not less than 5000gp. A jewel or jewelry of equal value is put on them, and serves as a focus for the magic. While the incantation is in effect, the target will never willingly remove the focus item, which has been imbued with the scent, blood, or other presence of the one to be desired.

The casting lasts through the night, with one check made per hour. If the nine checks are not completed by sunrise, the incantation fails and must be retried. The focus retains its power, but the other materials must be replenished.

If the casting is successful, the target has no memory of anything that happened including their kidnapping and return. They become obsessed with one creature whose identity they know, subverting all other concerns to the welfare of that being as they see it, and making every attempt to constantly be in the presence of their object of obsession, as important to their lives as they can possibly be. They will be fully able to rationalize the effect to the extent needed; indeed, outsiders with the good subtype halve any natural spell resistance, since this incantation is designed to take advantage of natural protective instincts.

The obsession can lead to completely counter-personality decisions. A high-powered spellcaster would think nothing of taking his beloved king to a distant tower fastness and helping him rule the country via communication spells. Even someone who does not know the target can realize that their behavior is abnormal with a DC 15 Sense Motive check; Spellcraft at DC 19 or spells to detect and analyze magic will reveal powerful enchantment. The object of obsession, if they were not party to the casting themselves, will usually find the attentions unwelcome; even someone who sought the spell eventually tires of the fawning. Breaking the focus will end the spell, as will high-level countermagices, but the target of the spell will resist all attempts to break the magic on them, either refusing to believe they are enchanted, or welcoming the guiding spirit, or some other excuse.

Failure: If two consecutive skill checks are failed, the target is aware of what has been attempted and their memory is not fogged. (They may attempt to bluff to hide this state.) Forever after, the target gets bonuses in dealing with all casters as if they were favored enemies with one more step than any favored-enemy status they may have regardless.
Material component: Not less than 5000gp in exquisite luxuries, filling the room in which the incantation is to be completed, and a 5000gp focus object.
XP component: 1000 XP, which may be paid by any combination of the primary and secondary casters
Backlash: exhaustion (affects all casters)
Extra casters: Five additional casters, at least two of which must match the object of the obsession in species, and gender if applicable. Assistants with criminal skills are usually on hand to kidnap and return a victim without leading investigators to the casters. The casters themselves are exhausted by the ritual.

Defibrillate
Evocation
Effective Level: 0
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 10, 1 success
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 6 rounds
Range: touch
Target or targets: one being with a heart
Duration: instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fort negates (DC 10 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

Said to have been taught to men by the flickering creatures that inhabit the Plane of Lightning, who are sensitive to the tiny flows of electricty in mortal bodies, this is usually miscategorized as a healing incantation due to its usage. The user spends a minute focusing on a mental image of an evocation mandala which charges his hands with a small amount of electricity; when he next touches a being (which can be an unarmed attack), it will be released in a specific form, palpable as a firm buzz.

If the target is in good health, this does no damage but may break a caster's concentration if they do not save. For someone in cardiac arrest, this shock has a chance to restart the heart. It is particularly effective if administered within four minutes of apparent death by drowning, stabilizing the rescuee at 1hp as long as the lungs have been cleared. GMs may wish to allow the same effect against real hitpoint damage from a purely mental effect, such as phantasmal killer, perhaps allowing another save by the target.

Other creative uses of tiny quantities of electricity are engouraged.

Failure: Caster does 1d6 electrical damage to themself
Material component: about 10 silver coins held in one hand, which are densely corroded when the magic discharges.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Strike Numb
Necromancy
Effective Level: 2
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 16, 2 successes
Failure: caster suffers effect
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 20 minutes
Range: Long (500 feet)
Target or targets: One living creature
Duration: permanent
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates (DC 12 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

A target that fails their save loses their sense of touch. This makes makes detailed tasks difficult. Uses of the Disable Device, Escape Artist, Open Lock, and Sleight of Hand skills are penalized at -20; those of Craft, Forgery, and Move Silently at -10. The target's melee BAB is at a -2 penalty; ranged combat is at -4. If the target remains numb for a month, halve these penalties.

The state is not entirely without its advantages. The target feels no physical pain, automatically saving against a symbol of pain and other effects that the GM rules are reasonably due to significant pain. Historians of arcana believe that this incantation originated not as a curse, but as a religious ritual for warriors of an implacable god.

Failure: If the caster fails two consecutive rolls, he himself suffers the effect.
Material component: An object which has been in contact with the target's skin for at least an hour.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

The analogous "strike blind" incantation is quite similar in all other effects to the spell blindness/deafness, except that the range is slightly longer, only the blindness effect functions, failure strikes the user blind, and the incantation likewise requires a personal object from the target.

Strike Emotionally Numb
Enchantment (mind-affecting)
Effective Level: 2
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 16, 2 successes
Failure: caster suffers effect
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 20 minutes
Range: Long (500 feet)
Target or targets: one living creature
Duration: 2 days between saves
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 12 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

A target that fails its roll is emotionally bereft. This imposes a -10 to Perform, Diplomacy, Gather Information, or Sense Motive rolls, and most bardic music abilities, though it gives +5 to Concentration rolls and saves against fear effects. At the GM's discretion, it also gives a +5 to saves against other emotionally-based spells, such as Tasha's hideous laughter, and mutes the most drastic symptoms of insanities. Entities with close ties to emotion or passion may be significantly crippled in the use of their powers; if they find a sufferer of this curse, they may make his cure a high priority.

Victims can save against this incantation every two days as their emotions try to break free. A sufferer finds little reason to seek disenchantment otherwise.

Failure: If the caster fails two consecutive rolls, he himself suffers the effect.
Material component: An object of sentimental value to the target.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Communal's Knowledge Pool
Divination
Effective Level: 6
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 23, 3 successes, Knowledge (the Planes) DC 23, 3 successes
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M, B
Casting Time: 6 hours
Range: touch; see text
Target or targets: one object or person within reach
Duration: instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This limited version of legend lore allows the user to tap the knowledge base of a specific group: in this case, the Communals, once a popular faction in Sigil who were broken by the Lady. It requires that the legends concern an object or person close to hand, and only returns legends known to several of the members of that particular faction (as a rule of thumb, 10 or more).

Because the Communals were so drastically depopulated, this particular incantation no longer functions. Someone who wished to develop a version for another group would need to figure out an analogy of the fundamental symbolic sympathy the Communals shared.

As written, this incantation was deliberately developed by a Sigilian faction with an interest in sharing, but it can easily be adapted to other situations: a racial ability of modrons or communally-minded celestials, or a shamanistic invocation of the racial knowledge of a people.

Failure: no information
Material component: 500gp of incenses and dusts with which to trace runic circles about the caster and the object of their inquiry.
Backlash: The members of the faction whose knowledge were tapped are generally aware of the inquiry, albeit not the identity of the asker unless they have other sources of information.
Extra casters: none

Casthis and Hierathia
Conjuration (Calling) [Good, Lawful]
Effective Level: 8
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) 24 4 successes, Knowledge (Religion) DC 20 4 successes
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M, SC
Casting Time: 80 minutes

These two lovers remained faithful to each other despite incredible opposition in the intricate cage of laws and traditions that ruled their land. Late in their lives, they were able to overcome all obstacles and live together for the briefest of times. So close were they that they arrived in the Upper Planes together, and recognizing the bond between then, the powers that welcome licit love and the strength of family restored their memory of their mortal lives. Now angels for the powers of righteousness, they have the privilege of going together to the mortal realms to defend lovers and punish those who would twist the laws of the family, so vital to society, to evil ends -- or worse, break them.

This prayer can be uttered by anyone, though the knowledge required is usually limited to clerics and wizards. It summons the two, now powerful angels, to the aid of lovers in need, which may or may not be the casters. If the summoning is successful, the pair arrive already knowing their task, which was described in the casting, and they go about it with dispatch.

(Change the names and species of angel to taste for your campaign. Casthis and Hierathia should be 14 to 18 HD in total. One possibility for them is fideles. Their personalities are important to making this a good summoning: Casthis is a light-skinned, slim male with a lightning-fast bow and a head for details, while Hierathia is a dark-skinned, strong female with a powerful sword and a big-picture sensibility. They share a dry humor about mortal love, canoodle occasionally when they must wait while something happens, and absolutely refuse to break any laws to get the job done. Threatening either one of them will get the other one on you instantly.)

Failure: no effect
Material component: About 200gp of incense and other religious consumables for the ceremony
Backlash: none
Extra casters: Exactly one additional caster is necessary; the two play a scripted ritual romantic exchange. Both casters must be good in alignment, and at least one must be lawful.

Electrify Field
Evocation
Effective Level: 6
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 23 4 successes, Craft (any metalsmithing) DC 20, 2 successes
Failure: 5d6 electricty damage and wastage
Components: V, S, M, F, SC
Casting Time: 6 hours
Range: touch, over an area up to five 5' squares
Target or targets: up to 10 passersby
Duration: permanent
Saving Throw: Reflex half (DC 16 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

The floor of a room or hallway is trapped to cause a strong electric shock, 5d6 electricity damage, to people that come into contact with it when the magic of the incantation is not suppressed by the caster (command word). Walls, doorknobs, and other items in contact with the ground may also be trapped, though these objects must be touched to trigger the effect. The wire tracery may be inlaid artfully, increasing the search DC to find this trap to 33, but decreasing the save DC to 14 + Cha.

The magic stores up to 10 bolts for those that touch the tracery, activating whenever they come into contact with it.

Finding and disarming this trap is at DC 31 for rogues.

100gp of copper wire (the ingots are cheap, but wire is expensive!) will cover a 5 foot square; 500gp of silver, 1000gp of gold, or 2000gp of mithril will cover the same area. Silver adds +1 per die of damage, gold adds +2, and mithril adds +3. The tracery remains after 10 bolts are loosed, and renewing the trap can be done in 40 minutes with a single caster, only the Arcana rolls, and replacing the acids.

Failure: 5d6 electricity damage to the primary caster, and the acids are wasted.
Material component: 100gp each of nitric acid and sulfuric acid in sealed glass jars, and a tracework of copper, silver, gold, or mithril wire covering the area to be warded.
Backlash: no
Extra casters: At least one; a metalsmith (someone with at least 1 point in a Craft skill involving smithing) must be a secondary caster.

Bone Machine
Necromancy
Effective Level: 3
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 19, 3 successes
Failure: bones attack as skeletons
Components: V, S, M, F
Casting Time: 30 minutes
Range: one 10' cube
Target or targets: one mass of bones
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

You animate a mass of bones within a cube 10 feet on a side. The bones form a contiguous mass with any number of limbs and digits, moving in a pattern you describe on a parchment with a detailed symbol language and pictures. At least one of the bones must be a skull, and destroying this skull destroys the machine. The machine repeats the same pattern of motions, with no decision points, indefinitely. You can shut it down and restart it at will by removing and replacing the skull. It has Strength 10 and the other physical and magical statistics of a skeleton. Breaking one limb does not stop the rest from moving.

If you give this incantation the "Evil" tag, you can specify conditions under which the bone machine will change its actions to a different pattern; each set of conditions after the default condition requires an additional Arcana success.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the bone animate as a number of skeletons (depending on the number of creatures used as sources) and attack the caster.
Material component: The bones to be animated, one of which must be a skull, and a schematic drawing of the machine done in the fresh blood of the caster.
Backlash: 1d8 hp in damage to the caster
Extra casters: no

Pendulum Dowsing
Divination
Effective Level: 4
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 25, 4 successes
Failure: false response
Components: V, S, M, F
Casting Time: 40 minutes
Range: unlimited; see text
Target or targets: one object or creature sought
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 14 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

This art is a primitive precursor to many of the lower-level divination spells. It makes no distinction as to creatures or objects: all the diviner needs is a sample, either of the type of object or creature to be found if only a type is sought, or of the particular object or creature (such as a flake of paint from an object or a drop of blood from a creature) if a specific target is to be located. The sample is placed in a specially-made glass pendulum and the pendulum is gently swung over a map in which the object is to be sought.

If the target is within the area depicted by the map, the pendulum will be slightly attracted to the correct patch about two inches across. If not, or if the target saves, no information is returned. If the skill checks are failed, the diviner is confident that they have located an incorrect portion of the map.

The map to be used cannot be bigger than the arm's reach of the caster, and the object or creature is located to within a circle of about two inches diameter on the map.

If the target is a creature that does not want to be found, it can resist with a Will roll, and spell resistance applies. Objects and classes of objects do not get a resistance roll unless attended, in which case they get the owner's resistances.

Failure: If two consecutive rolls are failed, the diviner is confident of an incorrect location on the map, or possibly is not confident of any location when the correct position is on the map.
Material component: A piece of the object or type of object to be found, or a piece of hair, flesh, blood, etc. from the person sought, a map upon which to dowse, and a specially-made pendulum with a glass sample container on the end, costing about 50gp. The map is marked heavily with symbolic inscriptions in preparation for the rite.
Backlash: no
Extra casters: none

Lure Under Hill
Enchantment
Effective Level: 7
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 27, 2 successes, Perform DC 27, 5 successes
Failure: primary caster is struck by effect
Components: V, S, M, SC, B
Casting Time: 1 night
Range: Long (400 ft)
Target or targets: one humanoid
Duration: 7 years
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 17 + primary caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

This complex enchantment requires a great deal of setup: a nighttime, outdoor party must be underway, complete with visible lights and music audible to passersby from some distance. The incantation can continue until some passing humanoid fails the Will save and spell resistance check. This unlucky soul is drawn to the party's location, where the casters and performers ply him with food and merriment all night long.

During this time the victim is quite unsuspecting of any danger, and he may be luckiest if he wakes up in the morning stripped of any valuables. If he is not so lucky, then as dawn breaks the casters may ask him to join them for more merriment elsewhere. The victim gets a second Will save at this point, at a -4 penalty if they have accepted any drink or food; failing this roll, their acquiescence puts them under a strong charm effect toward all the casters for the next 7 years. When this time is up, his memory of the period of his enchantment will be erased. Usually the victim is left on a hillside somewhere on the seventh anniversary of their enslavement.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the caster who failed the check is swept up in a sudden appearance of many Fair Folk, who take the caster away. The Fair Folk do not always return their captives alive.
Material component: A prepared feast, several musical instruments, and culturally-appropriate impedimenta of gaiety.
Backlash: When the casting ends, every caster is immediately exhausted from the efforts, and has missed a night's sleep.
Extra casters: at least half a dozen additional partiers, some of whom may make the Perform checks.

Possession Barrier
Abjuration
Effective Level: 1
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 10, 1 success, Knowledge (religion) DC 15, 1 success
Failure: no effect
Components: S
Casting Time: 20 minutes
Range: personal
Target or targets: you
Duration: 5 minutes
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: no

Those who know enough about religion, spirits, and magic sometimes know about this meditative practice, which grants the ward against possession and mental control granted by the protection from evil spells. This part of that spell and its kin is wholly free of alignment, a root magic of the modern spell. It is, however, rather difficult to pull off without some fairly significant educational training, and the short duration of the effect severely limits its utility.

Failure: no effect
Material component: none
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Detect Material
Divination
Effective Level: 0
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 12, 1 success
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: within a 5 ft circle
Target or targets:
Duration: 10 minutes
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

Used to analyze objects physically, the pair of magic circles for this incantation might be seen in the workshop of an investigative wizard. The object to be analyzed is placed in the larger circle, and the smaller circle is given a tiny bit of material, such as a specific poison or a flake of gold. Simple yes/no runes glow to indicate the presence or absence of the substance sought.

This incantation is unable to detect the presence of nonphysical objects like magic or positive energy. It is also likely to fail (increase the DC by 10) for structurally complex substances such as blood.

Failure: If two consecutive rolls are failed, the divination yields the incorrect answer.
Material component: a bit of chalk and a sample of the material sought
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Summon Witch's Familiar
Conjuration (Calling)
Effective Level: 0
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 10, 1 success
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 24 hours
Range: a 24-hour journey for a familiar of the desired sort
Target or targets: one desired type of familiar animal
Duration: instantaneous or permanent (see text)
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

Knowing and successfully casting this incantation is the process by which a witch obtains her familiar as per the class feature. Because there is no serious consequence for failure and the incantation cannot be cast under pressure (it takes 24 hours), anyone can take 10, and so it almost never fails barring unusual penalties, such as the lack of an appropriate animal within calling distance.

Someone without witch class levels and no other familiar can bind a "0-level" familiar with this incantation. The familiar gains the mental features of a 1st-level wizard's familiar: Int 6, alertness, share spells, empathic link, master's Will save if better, better of skill ranks, and ability to be resurrected without level loss. The master gains the appropriate bonus for the familiar's type and can treat the familiar as a 1st-level familiar for the purposes of spells that require a familiar as a subject. The familiar never advances unless the caster takes witch levels.

GMs may choose to stipulate that the familiar class feature of wizards and sorcerers is an ancient and primitive magic that has survived to the present day, and is a slightly different incantation for those trained in wizardry or attuned to sorcery.

Failure: no effect except that materials are expended
Material component: Magical materials that cost 100gp.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Rain/Drought
Conjuration
Effective Level: 3
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 15, 1 success, Knowledge (nature) DC 15, 2 successes
Failure: reverse effect
Components: V, S, M, B, SC
Casting Time: 30 minutes
Range: 2-mile radius circle
Duration: 4d12 hours
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

This is actually two separate incantations, essentially the most basic forms of the spell control weather. Each has only one possible, low-power effect: one calls a gentle rain and the other prevents precipitation. The weather in the region during the casting must be calm, dry, and above freezing for calling rain. Any weather except hurricane, blizzard, thunderstorm, snowstorm, or heavy snow is acceptable to demand drought.

Any true weather spell ignores this primitive incantation when it is cast, except to account for current weather conditions. The incantation fails if a spell is currently in effect regarding the local weather; with a Knowledge (Arcana) check against DC 15, a caster can tell why this occurred. If one of the two incantations (or a failed version of the desired incantation) is already in effect, the check DCs are at +5 for the other.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the opposite of the desired effect occurs.
Material component: Sacrifice of 3 HD of animals is part of the ceremony. The animals sacrificed to call rain must not be birds or fish (or anything with a flight speed or swim speed statistic), which will anger the unknown spirits or powers being supplicated; exactly these creatures must be sacrificed to curse with drought.
Backlash: A distant area suffers the opposite effect. The area effected is always the same, and can be determined with a DC 20 Knowledge (Nature) check. Locals who notice the effect can trace it to the casters with the appropriate magics.
Extra casters: In addition to the ceremony leader, a round dozen of participants must assist, usually through coordinated song and dance, in calling rain. A mere three total casters suffice to impose a curse of drought.

Return to Life [Good or Evil]
Necromancy
Effective Level: 7
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 27, 2 successes, Knowledge (Religion) DC 27, 3 successes, Knowledge (the Planes) DC 27, 2 successes
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M, B, SC
Casting Time: 70 minutes
Range: Close (25 feet)
Target or targets: one helpless undead
Duration: instantaneous or permanent
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 17 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: yes

This incantation is sought avidly by some who wish to undo the curse of undeath that has seized a loved one or friend, for it can return an undead creature to the living being it once was, less only a single level in the process, as long as it did not die of old age (in which case the incantation simply destroys the undead). The undead must be kept helpless within a magic circle, surrounded by verdant living things, which yield up their life to restore the life of the target.

The powers of death and undeath are greedy, though, and their contract is grim. One version of this incantation has the [Good] tag. Using it requires that the casters subject themselves to energy drains of levels totaling the number of HD of the undead creature, plus the number of HD that will be restored (which can be a minimum of 2; the creature will have one less level than the number given, up to one less than the value they had when becoming undead). After 24 hours, the casters may save to see if this level loss is permanent. This version is instantaneous.

The [Evil] version of this incantation is permanent, and can be dispelled. It requires no energy drain, and the target is automatically restored to one level less than their previous form. Each month, the returned mortal must ritually slay (targets must be helpless, and the instinctive rite takes one minute of concentration) intelligent living creatures of total HD equal to its current HD, or the incantation's effect ends and the creature becomes the undead it was. Good creatures subject to this fate sometimes simply let it lapse under conditions where they can promptly be killed and resurrected normally.

It is said that there is one more version, an incantation walking the knife edge between good and evil, which requires its subject to regularly slay undead of the type it once was. If there are any such desperate hunters stalking the planes, they keep their heads low.

Failure: no effect
Material component: A 10' diameter magic circle drawn in blood and 1000gp of either diamond dust (for the good version) or onyx dust (for the evil version), containing the undead to be returned to life, which must be restrained.
Backlash: The newly living mortal loses at least a level in the process. The casters may also lose levels.
Extra casters: Four additional casters, which may also share in the level drain.

Energy Current
Necromancy
Effective Level: 8
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 29, 8 successes
Failure: 8d10 damage, possible plane shift
Components: V, S, M, B, SC
Casting Time: 80 minutes
Range: 80 feet
Target or targets: line of squares between two points
Duration: 13 minutes
Saving Throw: varies, DC 18 + caster's Cha mod
Spell Resistance: no

You open a pair of pinhole vortices to the Positive and Negative Energy Planes at fixed points exactly 80 feet apart, causing an enormous current of primal energy across the space between. There is a deep thrumming and random flickers of rushing light along twisting field lines between the two poles. Every round an object or creature is within the line between the two vortices, a random effect occurs. Roll 1d10:

0: A wave of negative energy subjects all in line to enervation.
1: A wave of positive energy gives the same effect in reverse.
2: 4d8 points force damage to all objects/creatures in line; Ref save half.
3: All in line are blinded, or dazzled on a Fortitude save.
4: 1d10 pounds of a common material appear in chunks, possibly worked.
5: A random corpse in the line of effect is resurrected, if possible.
6: Same, but the corpse is animated as undead of similar HD, if possible.
7: Make opposed Str check versus Str 25 or pushed 15 ft toward Negative.
8: Metal magnetized (once); armor -1 AC, shields +1, other effects by DM.
9: Xag-ya (1-50) or xeg-yi (51-00) appears and attempts to stop the effect.

In the square where the Positive pinhole appears, living creatures gain fast healing 5 and undead suffer 4 constant negative levels, but a check against Str 25 is required to remain in the square each round. The Negative pinhole attracts, gives 4 negative levels to the living, and gives undead fast healing 5.

This is the standard description of this incantation in tomes where it is known. Fewer realize its deeper purpose. The nature of the journey of energy from the universal source to the final end is the journey of existence itself. Every round that a living creature (only) remains within this current and subject to its effect, it can attempt to flow with the energy. This requires a Concentration check against DC 15. If successful, the creature ages one month and gains a temporary 100 XP which can be used in spells, sacrifices, or for other purposes. This XP fades in one month if not used, and never increases the creature's levels or Hit Dice.

Failure: If two consecutive rolls are failed, a massive short of the universal energies causes 8d10 damage to the caster at the Positive pole, and the other must make a Will save or be cast into the Negative Energy Plane.
Material component: A clear diamond and a black diamond, of 1000gp each.
Backlash: When the incantation takes effect, both casters are subject to one of the random effects without save.
Extra casters: One additional caster, who must work at the opposite pole from the primary caster

Devil Sphere
Abjuration [Good]
Effective Level: 8
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 27, 4 successes, Knowledge (Religion) DC 27, 4 successes
Failure: you are banished to Khin-Oin
Components: V, S, M, DF, SC, B
Casting Time: 80 minutes
Range: one 20' radius sphere
Target or targets: devils
Duration: 1 week
Saving Throw: Will negates (special DC; see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes

In Prime worlds darkened by diabolic threats, this incantation can be found in the sanctums of the bastions of holy resistance. With the blood and skill of dedicated clergy, a divine barrier is raised over a site that the forces of good are prepared to defend with their lives.

A devil that enters this 20' radius sphere must make a Will save as against a dismissal spell: the save DC is 33 + the caster's Cha modifier - the devil's HD. Failure means it is banished to Baator, with a 20% chance of appearing on another plane. The sphere lasts for one week from the time of its casting.

Unusually, the dismissal effect's alternate plane is not random; on Prime worlds where this incantation is known to have appeared so far, 20% of banished devils are sent to the Gray Waste, indeed to a particular chamber in Khin-Oin. The same effect is suffered by a caster who badly fails to play his part. Very few have survived the consequences of this error. Why this is the case, no one is sure. That yugoloths would plant such an incantation would be inconceivable, except that much is conceivable for yugoloths.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the incantation fails and the caster that failed the second check is banished to Khin-Oin.
Material component: 500gp of incense burned during the casting, and 500gp in specially-illuminated holy manuscripts arranged around the protected site. The manuscripts can be reused.
Backlash: Each caster must spill 2d4hp of blood in tracing out the casting. Fortunately, they can receive healing in the process of doing so.
Extra casters: Seven assistants, usually studious young priests.

Surefire
Evocation [fire]
Effective Level: 1
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 10, 1 success
Failure: 1d6 points fire damage
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: personal
Duration: 1 minute
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

A simple and useful incantation, this is still known in surprising backwoods areas, although the usefulness of flint and steel has generally outplaced it since a caster had best be wise in this and that lore before using it. You cause a small flame, the size of a large candle, about an inch from the end of your fingertip, suitable for lighting tinder or possibly kindling. It adds 1 point of fire damage to a touch attack if used as a weapon.

Failure: a bang, and 1d6 points of fire damage to all within 5 feet including the caster, Ref half
Material component: none
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Oath of the Mithril Fang
Enchantment (compulsion) [language-dependent, mind-affecting]
Effective Level: 6
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 22, 3 successes, Control Shape DC 25, 3 successes
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M, SC, B
Casting Time: 3 nights
Range: Touch
Target or targets: one willing subject
Duration: permanent
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

For each of the three nights of the full moon, a candidate for the Order of the Mithril Fang presents himself before the elders of the Order, and demonstrates that he has sufficient willpower to resist the call of the moon. If he is then willing, and if he has fulfullied the Order's other requirements, he takes the oath that binds him to the Order for his quester's career. He goes out into the world into places where his kind is less known and more feared, and he hunts those who have in haste or bigotry killed innocents afraid and confused by a power they do not understand. Whom he hunts, he does not gift: he hunts to kill.

The Oath acts as a geas to the mission of the Order upon its recipient; the two conditions are that he must not gift any foreigner with lycanthropy, and each day real effort must be spent striving toward its goals. Breaking either of these on a day causes him to suffer 3d6 damage, but instead of becoming sickened, he loses his damage reduction. However, while the geas is in good standing, he gains +1 to his Control Shape rolls per class level (maximum +5) and a +2 magical bonus to Str, Con, and Dex.

In addition to the effects upon the recipient, the caster takes on responsibility for adding the new member to the rolls. Should the Oath ever be dispelled, the caster gains a negative level which lasts long enough to force a check at 24 hours.

Other organizations could have similar versions of the same incantation. For example, a secretive group seeking the resting place of Miska the Wolf-Spider might find that its ultra-chaotic members needed, shall we say, encouragement to stay focused. However, it works best as a lawful organization's display of commitment.

Failure: Improperly performing this rite causes the geas to be automaticalyl and constantly activating upon the subject, causing the ability score loss until dispelled. This is especially triggered by taking the oath under any sort of false pretenses such as require a Bluff, Disguise or Forgery check by the subject during the ritual.
Material component: The impedimenta of the Sociey's private rituals
Backlash: potential negative level
Extra casters: The subject is considered a secondary caster, and so must be completely willing.

Disanchor Illusion
Illusion
Effective Level: 5
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 25, 3 successes, Spellcraft DC 25, 2 successes
Failure: you suffer illusion as far as possible
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 50 minutes
Range: touch
Target or targets: one illusion with a defined area of effect
Duration: permanent
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 15 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: no

You release an area-effect illusion from its bounds. An illusion such as a fire or a pile of gold will simply sit there, and an illusion with a fixed script is unchanged, but an illusion of an animal or a person with a general set of instructions to follow (at least persistent image or more complex) will do so to the best of their programming's dictates. A hound set to "guard this area" may chase intruders for some distance before returning, for example. The incantation does not change the duration of the illusion.

The freed illusion is still a spell effect and can be dispelled, disbelieved, or warded away. However, it cannot be injured

This incantation is no longer known to most illusionists, who would be extremely interested in finding it. Legend has it that the society that originated the incantation was brought down by a cabal of permanent illusions that had been freed, and somehow interpreted their orders to the woe of their creators. The tale claims that on a Prime somewhere, there is still a city, now ruined, but full of phantasms that are as protective or as mercantile as they were the day they were created. It is even said that some of them followed their commands out into the wider world.

Failure: Failing on a Spellcraft roll means you misidentified the mystical anchor points of the illusion and nothing happens. Failure of the Knowledge roll means you become subject to any effects of the illusion without saving throw, insofar as possible (it may not target you).
Material component: A focus used in the rite consists of a sharp knife of glass with a silvered side, thus being a shard of mirror, costing 100 gp.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Zombie Trap
Necromancy
Effective Level: 0
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 15, 1 success
Failure: caster subject to touch of fatigue spell
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: one 10' line or less.
Target or targets:
Duration: 8 hours or until triggered
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: yes

A little difficult for ordinary folk but accessible to a bright student with magical potential, this incantation produces a trap for undead. Despite the name, it works on any undead that crosses the line to about 10 feet high, even incorporeal ones; the line briefly flares white with a hiss, and the undead is fatigued as if by the touch of fatigue spell.

The trap can be detected and disarmed with DC 15 Search and Disable Device checks by an intelligent being, including intelligent undead, or dispelled as a level 0 spell by any spellcaster.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the spell discharges in a burst of negative energy and the caster is fatigued instead.
Material component: The trap line is marked with holy water. A 25gp bottle contains enough for 10 feet; a doorway or window can take less.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Call Up Dead Spirit
Necromancy
Effective Level: 4
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 17, 2 successes, Knowledge (the Planes) DC 16, 1 success, Knowledge (Religion) DC 16, 1 success
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M, B
Casting Time: 40 minutes
Range: Close (25 feet)
Duration: 4 minutes
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 14 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: no

You call forth the spirit of a dead person you can identify precisely. Having a piece of their body nearby increases the save DC by 4. As long as the person currently exists as a petitioner or other form of spirit and is not personally imprisoned by a greater power on its home plane (imprisoned more specifically than being a Lower Planar petitioner, for instance), it must make a Will save or answer your call. It may voluntarily fail the Will save, but few spirits will. The incantation gives them access once more to the memories of their lives, a burden few of them really want. Most believe that it will hamper their spiritual progress in their current existences. To call up a spirit now residing on an Upper or Lower plane is an evil act.

The area around your fire takes on the planar qualities of the spirit's current home plane, although nothing overtly damaging. The spirit may seem to emerge from the earth like one climbing stairs, or it may step out from a caster's shadow, or rise up from the flames. The spirit cannot leave the radius of effect, and for the purposes of violence, being destroyed here is the same as if it were killed on its home plane. However, not all spirits remain petitioners, and a spirit which is now an archon or demon retains access to all the abilities of its current form.

The spirit remains for 4 minutes, during which time you may ask it questions; for each question, it can make another save, and if it fails, it is compelled to answer as truthfully as it can. It has access to all the memories of its life and its afterlife, but not necessarily any information beyond that. It need not perform any other service. If it saves, it need not answer, or may choose to lie with any Bluff skill. It is prevented by the magic from attacking any caster, though if it lies it may attempt to lead you into harm. After the duration is up, it vanishes the same way it came and the planar traits disperse. The spirit is now considered to know the primary caster well for the purposes of scrying.

Failure: no effect
Material component: A fire and a flat piece of land big enough to serve as the summoned creature's grave.
Backlash: The spirit summoned is usually angry, and knows who called them and for what purpose.
Extra casters: Up to three others may assist.

Repel Specific Vermin
Abjuration
Effective Level: 4
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 15, 2 succeses, Knowledge (nature) DC 15, 2 successes
Failure: you are attractive to the vermin targeted
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 30 minutes
Range: 5 foot radius from subject
Target or targets: one species of vermin
Duration: 3 hours
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless) (DC 14 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: no

In one interpretation of incantations, incantations such as this one exist for many spells, in this case the well-known repel vermin. They may form the primitive rituals that were unified under the spell, or they may be careful instructions written by academics adapting their spells for the use of non-mages. This rote dweomer allows a user to repel a specific species of vermin they expect to encounter. It is specific by species and any subspecies, such as dire versions.

Other spells that may have such specific versions are neutralize poison (with failure subjecting the caster to the poison), remove disease (with the backlash that the caster must save or contract the disease), and remove curse. Having a variety of such incantations makes a way for a society, or the denizens of a plane, to have a locally-useful body of lore not much known elsewhere.

Failure: Failing two consecutive checks makes the subject attractive to such vermin, which will preferentially attack him given the opportunity.
Material component: A little juice made from local flora or fauna, differing by the vermin repelled.
Backlash: For the duration, the subject smells slightly bad to members of its own species; -1 penalty to Cha-based skills.
Extra casters: no

Create Heartstone
Transmutation [Evil]
Effective Level: 9
Skill Check: Spellcraft DC 16, 4 successes, Concentration DC 20, 5 successes
Failure: no effect; materials wasted
Components: V, S, M, DF, B
Casting Time: 1 month
Range: touch
Duration: instantaneous
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

This is actually one of the better known incantations across the planes. Its skill checks are fairly easy for a technically 9th-level incantation, because it has been refined over years (probably millenia) to the precise habits and skills of night hags. A similar object could probably be made with much greater difficulty, not requiring the souls of larvae and not being intrinsically evil. In particular, without larvae, creating a hearstone would almost certainly require the Craft Wondrous Item feat and the spells remove disease, resistance, and etherealness.

As it stands, the process is still rigorous. A larva must be sacrificed every 8 hours for 33 day. With each sacrifice, the heartstone flares with energy, causing 5d8 fire damage and 5d8 cold damage to all within 10 feet. The caster must still provide 1d4hp of their own blood to the forming heartstone with each sacrifice.

Failure: Only the waste of the materials used up. Even the base pendant is fouled and worthless.
Material component: The focus of the heartstone is a jeweled pendant of any type preferred by the maker, but of at least 100gp in value. A full hundred larvae (spirits of neutral evil petitioners) must be sacrificed and their ichor absorbed by the pendant to create the heartstone.
Backlash: Array of damage effects; see text
Extra casters: no

Curse of Impending Undeath
Necromancy [Evil]
Effective Level: 5
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 24, 5 successes
Failure: you suffer curse unknowingly
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 50 minutes
Range: Medium (190 feet)
Target or targets: one living creature
Duration: permanent
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 15 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: yes

If slain while this curse is in effect, the soul of a creature subjected to the curse of impending undeath remains trapped in its body, unable to pass on. It cannot move the body, becoming a ghost anchored to its corpse -- or a part of it, if the corpse is destroyed. However, it lacks all the special attacks of a ghost unless it succumbs to madness, at which point it becomes a normal ghost. Spells and abilities capable of interacting with creatures on the Ethereal Plane can sense and reach the spirit.

A creature under the curse is aware of a dark, threatening power hanging over it and haunting its thoughts. It radiates necromantic magic to a detect magic spell.

Remove curse can end the effect while the subject is alive, or free the spirit after death. It will rejuvenate if forcibly destroyed.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the caster becomes subject to the curse themself, without the betraying aura. Many casters run a curse-removal after casting this incantation, just in case.
Material component: A piece of the victim's body (hair is acceptable), and a powdered bone from one of their ancestors.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Imaginary Friend
Illusion (phantasm)
Effective Level: 6
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 20, 6 successes
Failure: antagonistic personality
Components: V, S, F, B
Casting Time: 1 hour
Range: personal
Duration: 3 days
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

You produce the illusion of an intelligent, friendly creature inside your own mind. The creature's personality is partly as you consciously craft it, and partially drawn from your subconscious. It has access to all of your senses and knowledge, including your spellcasting, though it can only cast spells with verbal and somatic components, unless you have Eschew Materials, in which case it can cast spells which normally have inexpensive components. In all cases, it can only cast spells on you, which must have a range of Personal, and only spells you have available (memorized, known, etc., depending on your class). This does deplete your spells as if you had cast them (which you basically did). The same general guidelines apply to psionic powers and to incantations that affect you, though incantations almost always require components impossible for the phantasm to access. The phantasm cannot apply your powers to itself.

The phantasm can give advice or make independent checks for purely mental actions, such as Sense Motive or a Will roll. It is affected by area-effect compulsion spells, but rarely will a spellcaster know to target it if a spell requires naming specific targets. If you are charmed, for instance, and have the spell dispel magic available, the phantasm may attempt to dispel the charm. It acts immediately after your turn in any combat. The phantasm is treated as an ongoing illusion on you for the purposes of dispelling.

Once the duration is up, recasting this incantation often produces a phantasm that "remembers" previous versions, since after all the memories produced by the incantation are entirely internal to you.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the personality produced is antagonistic. It may attempt to fool you and give bad advice, or it may immediately attempt to damage you with your own spells.
Material component: The focus of the incantation is a silver mirror, costing 25gp or more.
Backlash: Unless dispelled, you have an observer watching all of your actions from inside your head for three days, which can be off-putting.
Extra casters: no

Forest Eyes
Enchantment
Effective Level: 5
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 19, 3 successes, Knowledge (Nature) DC 19, 2 successes
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M, B
Casting Time: 50 minutes
Range: 1 mile
Target or targets: one species of local animal
Duration: 1 hour
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 15 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: yes

You merge your senses with those of the local population of a specific animal. For the next hour, you can move from mind to mind of the members of one local nonintelligent species within a mile of your current location. You can choose any senses you have, and even the power of speech, to project through the animals, but for the duration of this incantation, you lack those powers at your own body.

You have a general sense of the locations of all eligible members of the species within the mile radius. While the incantation is in effect, you can attempt to direct the actions of an animal you are "riding" as if it were charmed; it understands your thoughts. Members of the species you are not currently "riding" will not harm you for the duration of the incantation, unless magically compelled.

The species resists the incantation initially with a Will equal to that of its average members, plus 3, and the species' average spell resistance, if any. If your familiar is of the species sought, the +3 bonus does not apply. If you possess wild empathy, the save DC is at +3.

Failure: no effect
Material component: something desired by the species to be targeted, such as a bit of food or a shiny item.
Backlash: Loss of your own senses for the duration
Extra casters: no

Housecleaning
Transmutation
Effective Level: 1
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 13, 1 success
Failure: cleaning accidents
Components: V, S, F
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: an area of one dwelling no more than 20 feet by 20 feet by 10 feet
Duration: 1 hour
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

You animate your choice of (up to all) the following tools: a broom, a crub brush, a duster, a sponge or rag, and a bucket of water (which may or not be soapy). As long as you have a general idea of the area you wish them to clean and a method for doing so, they will comply without needing strict oversight, for up to an hour. You may be up to 250 feet away, and need not concentrate. Redirecting the animated cleaning tools is a standard action. You can tell them to pause, though the incantation continues in effect for the hour unless dispelled.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the items animate jerkily, and must be restrained (they have your Cha for Str) lest they damage nearby objects -- or people. A few too many incidents of this usually lead to a community looking very sourly on someone who uses this incantation without enough skill.
Material component: The items to be animated.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Preserve Food
Transmutation
Effective Level: 0
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 10, 1 success
Failure: instant spoilage
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: close (25 feet)
Target or targets: 1 cubic foot of food
Duration: instantaneous
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

Renders edibles into a preserved form, usually drying it and lacing it with common preservatives such as salt and pepper. The effect is obvious, and similar to mundane preservation methods. A Craft (cooking) roll may be undertaken to determine how palatable the result is, but it will always be safe. Food treated with this incantation will not spoil under normal environmental conditions.

If the food is currently spoiled, poisoned, or otherwise inedible (currently alive and objecting, for example), this incantation has no effect.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the magic instantly spoils the food, visibly and odorously.
Material component: none
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Disassemble
Transmutation
Effective Level: 5
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 20, 3 successes, Craft (appropriate) DC 20, 2 successes
Failure: damage to object
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 50 minutes
Range: Close (50 feet)
Target or targets: one complex object
Duration: instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates (object) DC 15 + caster's Cha mod
Spell Resistance: no

You rapidly disassemble a complex object in such a way that it can be put back together. The incantation is telekinetic; no tools are required, and the Craft skill needs only be roughly applicable -- woodworking would suffice to deconstruct furniture or a boat, for instance, and any metalsmithing craft would permit deconstructing a set of armor. The object is broken down into components that can be reassembled with a fabricate spell, or a single Craft roll of the correct type for the object. Small welds or joins can be undone, links broken and repaired, etc. Reassembly does require tools, or the fabricate spell.

The incantation affects a complex nonmagical object up to 5 feet in each dimension. An object 10 feet in each dimension can be affected by increasing the skill check DCs to 22, and an object 20 feet in each dimension by increasing the skill check DCs to 24. These larger volumes can be reshaped in units of 5 foot cubes to accommodate objects longer in one dimension than another.

The incantation produces a set of plans for the object, inscribed on flat silver plates prepared beforehand. The GM is the arbiter of how many plates of parchment size (at 100gp each) are required to produce a detailed schematic; this value is known to the caster beforehand. The plates are permanent and can be used as excellent guides for a crafter to produce such an item on their own.

This incantation does not affect constructs unless they are helpless, in which case, if their save is failed, it does 5d6 damage; if this value is at least 1/4 the construct's hit points, a portion of the construct roughly corresponding in size is removed and deconstructed.

Failure: If the second consecutive check failed is an Arcana roll, the incantation fails. If the second check failed is a Craft roll, the incantation tears at the object, doing 5d6 damage and ending. The Craft roll cannot be deliberately failed for this purpose.
Material component: Flat silver plates, upon which construction plans are etched as if by strong heat. The number varies; each page costs 100gp.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Recall
Enchantment
Effective Level: 0
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 10, 1 success
Failure: memories are forgotten
Components: none
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: personal
Target or targets: you
Duration: Int score in minutes
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

This meditative technique allows you to fix details of an event in your memory; either the last number of minutes equal to your Int score, or the next such period in minutes, as you prefer. You have a +5 magical bonus on rolls you later make to recall details from the period chosen, and resist magical attempts to alter or remove such memories at +3 to any relevant Will saves.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, you think that you have succeeded but your error clouds your memory, causing any recall attempt to automatically fail on any but the broadest strokes.
Material component: none. In fact, the incantation has neither verbal nor somatic components; it can be done meditatively.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Friendly Tentacles
Conjuration
Effective Level: 4
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 17, 4 successes
Failure: Evard's black tentacles, centered on you, uncontrolled
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 40 minutes
Range: 20 foot radius
Target or targets: you
Duration: 2 hours
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

For the duration of this incantation, you can summon and unsummon a pair (or one) of Large (10 foot) black tentacles, similar to Evard's black tentacles, anchored to solid ground within 20 feet of you. You can cause the tentacles to perform any action that a tentacle might be capable of without fingers. Controlling the tentacles occupies one free hand per tentacle. The tentacles have a Strength of 20 and your base attack bonus if you use them to attack. Each tentacle has 1/3 your HP.

If you cause the tentacles to appear but do not direct them, they will generally act well-disposed toward you, and even somewhat playful, if not all that bright. They appear to have some version of blindsense.

Failure: If you fail two consecutive checks, the power of the incantation instead erupts as a casting of Evard's black tentacles, centered on you but uncontrolled.
Material component: A tiny model of a double-jointed finger.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Prophecy
Divination
Effective Level: 9
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 34, 5 successes, Knowledge (Religion) DC 34, 4 successes
Failure: no effect or angry god
Components: V, S, M, XP, B, SC
Casting Time: 9 hours
Range: Personal
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

You petition a god for a vision of future events on a matter that concerns you. Not all gods have such a ritual, and those that do are very protective of it. The daylong rite must be undertaken at a site which has been consecrated to the god for at least as long as the primary caster has been alive, and requires the assistance of several clergy. Some gods will only answer this incantation at as specific site, such as Delphi, to which a querent must journey.

If successful, the primary caster receives a vision relating to the query, which is often symbolic or poetic. Gods with a portfolio covering time or knowledge often provide more detailed prophecies with accurate physical details. If the answer is truly murky, the vision will make this clear and may explain the factors that are muddying the waters.

Not even evil gods lie in response to this ritual. Once delivered, one way or another, the fate described by the prophecy is inescapable, and the querent must deal with it as best they can.

Failure: If the second consecutive check failed is an Arcana check, there is no effect. If the second consecutive check failed is a Religion check, the god has been contacted but regards either the ritual or the query as improper. The primary caster is blasted with divine fire for 10d8 damage (no save), and the lead clergy among the secondary casters must undertake an atonement.
Material component: 500gp in consumable religious implements or sacrifices suitable for the god being petitioned, and 1000 XP, which may be shared among the casters.
Backlash: The prophet falls unconscious and exhausted after the prophecy is delivered.
Extra casters: Several clergy in good standing (the number varies, but six or so is usual) must help prepare the site and the primary caster.

Separation
Abjuration
Effective Level: 9
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 30, 5 successes, Knowledge (the Planes) DC 30, 4 successes
Failure: entrapment
Components: V, S, M, B
Casting Time: 90 minutes
Range: personal
Target or targets: you
Duration: 8 hours
Saving Throw: none (DC 19 + caster's Cha mod to defeat invisibility effect)
Spell Resistance: no

You step into an extradimensional space like that of a rope trick, just big enough to contain you, and with an invisible window in front of your face. This essentially provides perfect protection from spells that do not cross dimensions, even force effects, while you remain in the space. The window acts like a portal with the key "you," so other objects or creatures cannot cross it. Unlike a rope trick, you can move the window by mental command at a your normal speed with perfect maneuverability, though not through solid objects or force effects.

See invisible or detect magic detects a vague disclike object floating in midair at about the height of your face.

The area beyond the portal is protected against wind and sound effects, so you cannot hear through the portal, and if you breathe you must bring your own air supply. As usual, casters are warned against bringing other extradimensional spaces into this one, including items such as a handy haversack.

If you are inside the extradimensional space when the spell expires, you are immediately ejected. If the portal is inside a space too small for you, you take great crushing damage (GM's discretion) and may die.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the extradimensional space immediately seals up when the caster enters, leaving them in a dark dimensional pocket. Some sort of planar mobility is required to leave.
Material component: A gold and silver band costing 25gp, twisted into the shape of a Mobius strip, which disappears to become the boundary of the window.
Backlash: The extradimensional space is not wholly uninhabited. Each time this incantation is used, there is a 10% chance of attracting the attention of an alien entity of great power.
Extra casters: no

Wally
Conjuration (summoning)
Effective Level: 6
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 23, 3 successes, Knowledge (architecture) DC 23, 3 successes
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 hour
Range: Close (30 feet)
Duration: up to 3 hours
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

You summon a Large creature which apparently consists of multicolored, glowing fog. Wally, as the incantation names it, is capable of shifting its composition into primarily one sort of element, and shaping itself into a large, flat surface, anchored at the sides where possible. He can replicate any "wall of" spell of level 5 or less, with the exception of "Wall of [alignment]" spells. He can attempt to produce walls of unusual type, if you can explain what you want. Wally understands his summoner telepathically, but does not speak; his intelligence appears to be that of a bright animal with a knack for simple elements and shapes. Regardless of his form, Wally has the volume of a wall of stone spell with 10 squares, and 150 hit points overall. He does not fight, although he will stand firm under attack. He has a 30 foot base land, swim, and fly speed in his normal form. He is nearly weightless, and can be carried in a large jar.

Wally stays around for up to 3 hours, but requires (eats) 100gp of gems at the start of each hour of service. When called by the same caster, he appears to be the same creature, since if resummoned, a caster need not explain a complicated substance again. He has even been known to recognize previous casters when summoned by others; he has a tendency to gnaw gently on the heads of casters he likes. If Wally was unsummoned by injury the last time he was summoned, his price is double, and if it happens twice in a row, he will refuse to come for up to a month. The caster may unsummon Wally with a command word, or tell him to leave after a set duration, to avoid this.

Failure: no effect
Material component: 100gp of gems per hour of service
Backlash: Wally is a bit jealous. He leaves immediately if the caster summons anything else, and tends to annoy a spellcaster's familiar.
Extra casters: no

Hivemind
Enchantment
Effective Level: 8
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 27, 4 successes, and either Diplomacy DC 27, 4 successes, or Bluff DC 27, 2 successes and Sense Motive DC 27, 2 successes
Failure: nonlethal damage; see text
Components: V, S, F, B, SC
Casting Time: 80 minutes
Range: Touch to begin, then infinite and crossplanar
Target or targets: up to 8 living creatures, which must include the caster
Duration: 4 hours
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 18 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

This complex incantation combines the minds of multiple willing subjects into a single mental creature in control of multiple bodies. The amalgamated mind has access to the maximum skill ranks in any skill possessed by any subject, plus 1 per additional subject with any ranks in that skill. Any effect targeting one of the subjects and permitting a Will save or spell resistance is resisted with the best Will save and/or spell resistance in the hivemind, plus 1 per additional subject in the hivemind. Protections from spells such as scrying or mental possession, cast on one subject, affect all equally. Members of the hivemind are in immediate telepathic communication and can access each other's senses and memories. The link remains even if a member goes off-plane.

Internal disagreement for the hivemind can be deadly. If all subjects are willing, the entire mind can be directed by the will of the primary caster. In that case, the only choice any other sujbect can make is to exit the hivemind early by making the Will roll. On the other hand, the group may decide to proceed by consensus. In this case, if any two of the creatures combined differ in alignment, the hivemind may struggle with decisions, and must make a DC 15 Concentration check in order to proceed with actions the group agrees on; otherwise, all subjects will spend the round doing nothing, except actions necessary for survival.

This power leaves a lingering link that cannot be undone without high-level psionic healing or similar powers. Under stress in the future, subjects may accidentally re-establish the link, for 1 hour at a time, to one or more of the other subjects at random, should they be within 25 feet. This is entirely unpredictable and cannot be done deliberately without re-casting the incantation.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the primary caster takes 8d8 nonlethal damage and all secondary casters take 4d8 nonlethal damage from the mental whiplash.
Material component: Each subject must carry a small, complicated copper pendant set with certain carved rune of hematite.
Backlash: lingering link
Extra casters: All subjects other than the primary caster are secondary casters.

Bodysculpt
Transmutation
Effective Level: 7
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 26, 4 successes, Heal DC 26, 3 successes
Failure: death or mutilation
Components: V, S, M, F, SC, XP
Casting Time: 7 hours
Range: Touch
Target or targets: one living creature
Duration: instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fort negates (DC 17 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

This incantation is found among the dark arts of Aldinach, the Lady of Change, one of the minor demon lords in the fortresses of the Plain of Infinite Portals in the Abyss. It is also known to the sibriexes. The sibriexes themselves have greater arts available, but this procedure is one they can teach. It is not itself evil, though almost no scholars on the planes at large know that it is an ancient and deep secret among the thri-kreen of Athas.

The subject's body can be augmented or reshaped, often adding natural armor, claws, or extra eyes. Wings added to a Medium subject are only strong enough to allow gliding unless the subject is Small or has a good reason for being particularly light, in which case they provide a flight speed the same as the target's base land speed, and a maneuverability of Poor. Unusual additional organs, such as gills, are possible, as is permanent cosmetic alteration to the degree of an alter self spell.

Increasing the DC to 30, the caster can attempt to hybridize two separate creatures. Outcomes are highly variable; often the bodysculptor is doing it to experiment. One will die, and the other will be in control of the new body, depending on which brain is used. Such wholesale alteration requires a DC 15 Fort save against death, as if having taken massive damage.

Failure: If the second consecutive check failed is an Arcana check, the surgery succeeds but the modifications are nonfunctional, hanging limp and eventually causing any of a number of diseases if not removed (Heal DC 26, or restoration). If the second consecutive check failed is a Heal check, the subject also takes 10d8 damage during the operation and may die.
Material component: 1000gp of consumable alchemical brews used up during the operation, 1000gp of complex medical equipment that can be reused (and is not widely available), and the body parts to be attached, if any, which must have been kept fresh.
Backlash: The subject must expend a certain amount of XP to integreate the new body parts; the amount required is the GM's decision, with more powerful or complex body parts requiring greater investment. If the subject is unwilling, the primary caster can expend the required XP.
Extra casters: Three assistants are required during the operation.

Perfume
Illusion
Effective Level: 0
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 12, 1 success
Failure: foul odor
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 5 minutes
Range: Close (20 feet)
Target or targets: 20 foot radius
Duration: 1 hour
Saving Throw: Will disbelief (object) (DC 10 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: yes

You produce an odor of your choice, which you must be familiar with. It is distinctly noticeable, though not overpowering, in a 20 foot radius of a fixed point or an object. Having even a tiny sample on hand reduces the DC to 10.

Casting this incantation upon an attended object allows a Will save. In addition, if used to produce the odor of garlic, a vampire can save to avoid being repelled. Nonmagical odors with particular utilities in other settings may also be attempted.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, a foul odor is briefly produced (Fort save DC 7 or nauseated; disperses in 1 round).
Material component: An ounce of clear alcohol, such as moonshine.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

These incantations cover much of my remaining material on traditional curses and powers attributed to witches, except for a couple of things (like flying on brooms and brewing things up in cauldrons) that I intend to make features of a witch class to be posted in a few days. After this, there will probably be one more post with some D&D-specific incantations, like getting around in Carceri, and later I'll upload the witch for comments.

Suggested Invisibility
Enchantment (mind-affecting)
Effective Level: 5
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 19, 3 successes, Concentration DC 19, 2 successes
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, B
Casting Time: 50 minutes
Range: Personal
Target or targets: You
Duration: Concentration

By increasing the skill check DCs by 1, you can remove 5 minutes from the casting time of this incantation, and can do so repeatedly down to a minimum of 5 minutes.

This invisibility is not an illusion, but an enchantment effect, suggesting to viewers that they ignore and forget you. It therefore bypasses defenses against illusions, but is ineffective against creatures immune to enchantment. You must remina undistracted, and concentrate each round to maintain the effect (the Concentrate DC is 15). If you interact in any way with a target, such as attacking them or talking to them, the effect ends for that target.

Viewers get a Will save to avoid the effect.

Failure: no effect; you remain visible.
Material component: none
Backlash: DC 15 Concentration rolls required each round.
Extra casters: no

Disguise of age/Disguise of youth
Transmutation
Effective Level: 2
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 13, 2 successes
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, B
Casting Time: 20 minutes
Range: personal
Target or targets: you
Duration: 2 hours

These are two separate incantations. Disguise of age causes you to look, sound, and feel like a much older version of yourself, unless you are already venerable, in which case there is no effect. Disguise of youth causes you to look, sound, and feel much younger, unless you are not yet adult, in which case there is no effect. Neither incantation affects any equipment you carry.

Using disguise of age causes you to take -2 to Str, Dex and Con while it is in effect; using disguise of youth ages you one physical year. These are backlash effects.

Failure: no effect
Material component: none
Backlash: temporary aging effects or age one year; see text
Extra casters: no

Fertility/Infertility
Transmutation or Abjuration, respectively
Effective Level: 1
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 12, 1 success
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: Medium (150 feet)
Target or targets: one living creature
Duration: 1 day
Saving Throw: Will negates (DC 11 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

These two incantations either enhance or suppress a living creature's childbearing capability. The fertility incantation ensures offspring if the target mates within 24 hours with a suitable partner (presumably, of the correct gender and species, and the childbearing mate is not already pregnant). The infertility incantation ensures a lack of offspring for the same time period. Two such rituals make "caster level" checks against each other, at 1d20 + 1 + the caster's Cha modifier, if both attempt to take effect.

Infertility can be made into a permanent effect, of effective level 3, by increasing the skill check DC to 15, the number of successes required to 3, the casting time to 30 minutes, and the save DC to 13 + Cha mod, with all other statistics the same. This effect can be removed with remove curse (although it is often a requested effect).

Failure: no effect
Material component: An egg, and a bit of hair (or scales, or other piece, for hairless species) of a newborn member of the species targeted.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

Antidote
Conjuration (healing)
Effective Level: 3
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 15, 2 successes, Heal DC 15, 1 success
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M, B
Casting Time: 30 minutes
Range: touch
Target or targets: One living creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless) (DC 13 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

These incantations have the effect of neutralize poison, but only for a single, specific poison, each of which requires a different incantation and a different set of local herbs. Rarely will a local body of knowledge include incantations for magical poisons, or poisons not generally known in the area for a long time.

Failure: no effect
Material component: Hot water and a small quantity of herbs, rarely costing more than 1gp if bought, that can be gathered with an hour of work and a DC 10 Knowledge (Nature) roll in the region where the incantation is from. A DC 20 Knowledge (Nature) or Heal check will allow the caster to substitute herbs native to another locale, if the GM determines that such herbs exist locally.
Backlash: The subject must have access to plenty of water, or will suffer dehydration, and in any case will be exhausted.
Extra casters: no

Poison Food
Transmutation
Effective Level: 3
Skill Check: Knowledge (Arcana) DC 15, 3 successes
Failure: self-infliction
Components: V, S, B
Casting Time: 30 minutes
Range: touch
Target or targets: one food item
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

You introduce a poison of a known type, which must be ingestable, into a food item. The poison is real, and cannot be dispelled, though it can be neutralized or purified away. Each version of this incantation imparts a different specific poison.

The food need not be present until you have concluded the incantation, which gives you a touch you may hold until discharged.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, you swallow the energies and suffer the effect of ingesting the poison yourself.
Material component: none
Backlash: Regardless of whether you fail the checks or not, you have a 5% chance of inflicting the poison on yourself in the course of casting.
Extra casters: no

Cure specific disease
Conjuration (healing)
Effective Level: 3
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 15, 2 successes, Heal DC 15, 1 success
Failure: no effect
Components: V, S, M, B
Casting Time: 30 minutes
Range: touch
Target or targets: One living creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless) (DC 13 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

The multiple variants of this incantation are each specialized to the curing of a specific, nonmagical disease (not mummy rot or lycanthropy, for instance), requiring some herb lore local to the region where the incantation has been developed over the years. Each disease requires a different incantation and set of herbs.

Casting this incantation is dangerous; the caster must save against the disease herself each time she uses it. The incantation gives some protection, reducing the infection DC, but eventually a frequent user will get unlucky. Experienced witches that can mitigate the backlash are safest; younger witches may have a true remove disease scroll handy for the occasions when they fail their saves.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the disease continues on its course.
Material component: Hot water and a small quantity of herbs, rarely costing more than 1gp if bought, that can be gathered with an hour of work and a DC 10 Knowledge (Nature) roll in the region where the incantation is from. A DC 20 Knowledge (Nature) or Heal check will allow the caster to substitute herbs native to another locale, if the GM determines that such herbs exist locally.
Backlash: The caster must save against the disease, with the DC reduced by 3, or contract it herself.
Extra casters: none

Sickness hex
Necromancy (Evil)
Effective Level: 4
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 20, 4 successes
Failure: caster contracts disease
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 40 minutes
Range: Long (500 feet)
Target or targets: one living creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fort negates (DC 14 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

The dark counterpart of curatives, a version of these hexes exists for each nonmagical disease that a vengeful witch might wish to inflict on a target. It must be woven cautiously, as the witch must be near her target for the better part of an hour, hopefully well-hidden.

Failure: If two consecutive checks are failed, the caster contracts the disease himself, with no saving throw. If the witch cannot contract the disease (wrong species or gender, for instance), there is no effect.
Material component: A bit of blood from a sick man (who need not have been sick of the disease desired) and a possession of the victim's.
Backlash: none
Extra casters: no

The Witch's Black Vengeance
Necromancy [Death]
Effective Level: 7
Skill Check: Knowledge (arcana) DC 28, 7 successes
Failure: a week of nightmares, as per the spell
Components: V, S, M, F, B
Casting Time: 70 minutes plus writing time
Range: 35 feet
Target or targets: one living creature who has given offense to the caster
Duration: 7 days
Saving Throw: Fort negates (DC 17 + caster's Cha mod)
Spell Resistance: Yes

There is no hiding the identity of a witch who wreaks this vengeance. A detailed description of the offense must be graven into a thin lead disc, which is folded, pierced with iron and copper nails, and placed somewhere, usually buried, where the target will pass within 35 feet of it daily for 7 days. During this period the target will have intense nightmares, or increasing anxiety if the target does not sleep, and on the 7th night he will die of fright.

Though it can certainly be used for evil purposes, the incantation itself is not an evil act. It calls upon spirits not of evil, but of death and violence, and while the caster never sees them in action, it is entirely possible for spirits of justice to be doing the deed. However, it is not without price: each night, the caster takes 1 Wis damage, which does not begin returning until the incantation is complete (or dispelled).

Failure: If two consecutive rolls are failed, the caster suffers 7 nights of the nightmare spell -- being forced into sleep if she does not usually sleep.
Material component: A leaden disc, iron and copper nails, and representation of the target, such as a picture or carving.
Backlash: 7 Wis damage
Extra casters: no