Gesture of Power
Spell, High Magic, level 7
Silent hand gestures with six effects: Beckon, Burn, Protection From Evil, Gate, Hold or Death.
From the book
The caster makes one of six silent hand gestures, each effective to 100 ft. Beckon (left hand raised, fingers clutching) forces the target to come to the caster unless it saves vs Will, rolled each round, for 1 minute for each level of ability. Burn (left hand raised, fingers in the horn sign) wraps the target in magical flame for 1-6 points of damage per minute with no save, again for 1 minute a level; non-magical combustibles it carries are damaged too, and only magic can put the fire out.
Protection From Evil (right hand raised in the horn sign) stops one demon, devil or undead from attacking the caster, and only the caster, for 10 minutes. Gate (both hands held high and spread apart) opens a 10 ft. gate from the current plane to any other plane or dimension for 10 minutes or until dispelled. Hold (left hand clenched) pins one individual, or an object up to 10x10x10 ft., in place for 1 minute a level; a save vs Will allows movement at half speed.
Death (left hand raised, index finger aimed at the victim) affects one target, who must save vs Will or fall unconscious and die; even on a success the victim loses half its remaining hit points. None of the gestures needs spoken words.
At a glance
- Range
- 100 ft.
- Beckon
- Save vs Will each round or approach; 1 minute per level
- Burn
- 1-6 per minute, no save; 1 minute per level; only magic extinguishes
- Protection From Evil
- One demon, devil or undead won't attack caster; 10 minutes
- Gate
- 10 ft. gate to another plane; 10 minutes
- Hold
- One individual or object up to 10x10x10 ft.; 1 minute per level (save vs Will to move at 1/2)
- Death
- Save vs Will or die; success loses 1/2 remaining hit points
- Components
- No verbal components
- Save
- Only as stated
- Spell type
- Variable, only as stated
A scene
The jailers of the Citadel of Tok had gagged the wizard Morwenna, so she could not speak a spell. They had forgotten to bind her hands. When the chief jailer leaned down to leer at her through the bars, she clenched her left fist. He froze where he stood, stiff as a post, still leering. He strained, face reddening, and could not move at all. Morwenna reached through the bars, took the keys from his belt, unlocked the door, and walked out, her fist still clenched.