Casting Out

Through this spell a shaman can attempt to dismiss any spirit that is forcibly possessing a person or object. The spell does not drive spirits out of objects that are their proper homes (such as trees or fetishes), nor out of a willing host.

The exact performance of this spell varies from shaman to shaman. Some conduct formal rituals, ending with the sacrifice of an animal to appease the spirit: others prefer long and passionate exhortations, insulting, threatening, flattering, and pleading with the spirit to leave; a third method is to beat the subject until the possessing spirit departs. Each shaman, when first learning this spell, determines which of these three methods he or she uses. Often this choice is culturally determined; no shaman can switch between methods at whim.

The first method requires proper ritual equipment, and an appropriate animal to sacrifice. The second method requires a successful Charisma check from the shaman (and/or a particularly fine piece of role-playing from the player). The third inflicts 1d3 points of damage upon a creature that is host to a spirit.

The spirit is allowed a saving throw vs. spell to partially resist the casting out. If successful, the spirit has been cast out, but can return to its victim, or perhaps another person or object in the area.