HD3 The City of the Spider-God - Hyborian Age - Xoth

HD3: The City of the Spider-God
Appendix C: New Sorcery
The priests of Zath use a sub-style of Nature
Magic called “Arachnomancy” (which in
the strictest sense means studying the
appearance and behaviour of spiders, or
the patterns of their webs, for use in
divination, but which in this context is
taken to mean any magic dealing with
arachnids).
The following spells are only available to
members of the cult.
Become Swarm
(Defensive Blast)
Power Point Cost: All remaining points
Components: V
Casting Time: Immediate
Range: Personal
Duration: 1 minute/power point
Prerequisites: Must be a member of the
cult of Zath in Yezud
When this spell is cast, the caster’s body
dissolves into a spider swarm (see the New
Monsters appendix). All clothing and items
worn or carried fall to the ground. Since
the swarm form is impervious to most forms
of weapon damage, it usually allows the
caster to escape his opponents by crawling
away to safety.
Speak with Spiders
Power Point Cost: 1 point
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 minute/level
Prerequisites: Knowledge (nature) 4 ranks,
must be a member of the cult of Zath in
Yezud
You can comprehend and communicate
with spiders, of both the normal and giant
varieties. You are able to ask questions of
and receive answers from spiders, although
the spell doesn’t make them any
more friendly or cooperative than normal.
Furthermore, spiders have limited intelligence
and are likely to be terse and
evasive.
Spider Climb
Power Point Cost: 2 points
Components: V, S, M
Page 40
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 10 minutes/level
Prerequisites: Knowledge (nature) 6 ranks,
must be a member of the cult of Zath in
Yezud
You can climb and travel on vertical
surfaces or even traverse ceilings as well
as a spider does. You must have your
hands free to climb in this manner. You
gain a climb speed of 20 feet; furthermore,
you need not make Climb checks
to traverse a vertical or horizontal surface
(even upside down). You retain your
Dexterity bonus to defense (if any) while
climbing, and opponents get no special
bonus to their attacks against you. You
can also pass unimpeded through webs.
You cannot, however, use the run action
while climbing or navigating webs.
Material Component: A drop of bitumen
and a live spider, both of which must be
eaten by the caster.
Control Spider
Power Point Cost: 1+ points
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One spider
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Will negates
Prerequisites: Knowledge (nature) 8 ranks,
must be a member of the cult of Zath in
Yezud
Magic Attack Roll: Sets DC for target’s Will
saving throw
You can enchant a spider (who, as
vermin, are normally immune to mindaffecting
magic) and direct it with simple
commands such as “Attack,” “Run,” and
“Fetch.” Suicidal or self-destructive commands
(including an order to attack a
creature two or more size categories
larger than the dominated spider) are
simply ignored.
The PP cost is 1 for a spider of up to Small
size, 2 for a Medium-size spider, 4 for a
Large spider, 8 for a Huge spider, 16 for a
Gargantuan spider, and 32 for a Colossal
spider.
Control spider establishes a mental link
between you and the subject creature.
The spider can be directed by silent