Biting Shadow

A more powerful version of the slicing shadow spell, this spell creates a smoky cloud in which spectral dark mouths lined with glittering black fangs appear and disappear. These have only mo¬mentary solidity, yet they bile as if they were very powerful, very real creatures.

A biting shadow moves as the caster desires, drifting at MV Fl 12 (MC: E). It can change direc¬tion only at the end of a round (once per round), but can move horizontally, vertically, or in any combination of vectors. The cloud holds its shape when coming into contact with walls and other large solid objects (that is, it does not spread out along the wall or become smaller, but the sliced-off or missing portion vanishes into extra-dimen¬sional space, reappearing as the cloud moves away from the obstacle). Note that if the cloud strikes a solid wall without a break (or broken only by a snugly fitting closed door) it does not intrude into any room or space beyond, but if the wall is pierced by an open door, window, or other gap or hole, the cloud retains its shape and moves through the areas on both sides of the wall.

The biting cloud affects only living creatures and undead; it does not bite tapestries, hanging lamps, or other solid, nonliving objects, no matter how delicate they may be. Any being except the caster who comes into contact with a biting shadow suffers 6d6 points of damage per round. A saving throw vs. spell for half damage is allowed, and is made every round the being is in contact with the cloud. The caster can move and act freely within the cloud without harm.

The caster can choose what volume of area to affect with the spell (up to the maximum) and can end the spell early if desired.

Notes: Granted by the Mask, god of thieves of the Forgotten Realms setting. This spell is found only in a few exceptionally rare tomes.