Inscription
Spell, High Magic, level 5
Inscribes a High Magic spell with magical inks onto a surface; anyone studying it triggers the spell.
From the book
The caster writes any High Magic spell onto a solid, fairly smooth surface using magical inks, paints or chalks, a job of about 1 hour. Once finished it is charged, and anyone who tries to read or decode it sets off the spell and suffers the result. A passing glance does nothing, but close study of any kind triggers it, even if the viewer cannot read. It lasts until triggered or until counter-magic is used on it.
At a glance
- Casting time
- About 1 hour
- Components
- Magical inks, paints or chalks
- Duration
- Indefinite until activated or countered
- Save
- As per the inscribed spell
- Spell type
- Non-variable
- Trigger
- Careful study or attempted reading, even by the illiterate; casual viewing is safe
A scene
The wizard Evander kept his most dangerous book in a lacquered case in his house in Goldar, and on its lid he spent an hour painting a spell in magical inks, in long and elegant script. One day a burglar broke into the study, found the case and, unable to read, bent low to puzzle out the beautiful lettering anyway. He studied it for a moment, trying to make it out. Then his eyes closed, and he toppled sideways onto the rug, sound asleep. Evander, home within the hour, found him snoring peacefully beside the case.