Code of Secrecy
- SchoolEnchantment/Charm
- SphereCharm
- ComponentsV, S, M
- RangeTouch
- Area1 individual
- Casting time1 rd.
- DurationVaries
- SaveNeg.
A successful casting of this spell prevents the individual from any communication whatsoever about a topic forbidden by the caster. The spell can be cast only upon a creature with an Intelligence score of at least 3. Wisdom adjustments apply to the saving throw. If the individual fails a saving throw vs. spell, all communication concerning the secret is blocked: speech, writing, hand signals, painting, symbolism, and so on. An attempt to break the code of secrecy communicates a completely unrelated matter: the menu at lunch, an opinion of the mayor's recent speech, and so on, as the DM decides.
During the casting, the priest exhorts the creature to remain silent about a certain fact. The more general the forbidden topic is. the shorter the spell's duration. For example, consider the various degrees of secrecy:
General Secret: “A guild called Ela's Quick Fingers exists in Muden.” Duration: 1 day/caster level.
Uncommon Secret: “Ela's Quick Fingers guild works in conjunction with the temple of Ela” Duration: 1 week/ caster level.
Specific Secret: “Fulda spiritwalker leads both Ela's Quick Fingers guild and the temple of Ela. Duration: 1 month per caster level.
Exacting Secret: “Behind a plaque of a black dagger in the east hall of the Basilica's basement level lies a secret door that will open up onto a staircase leading down into the Quick fingers guild's headquarters if one speaks the password correctly.” Duration: 1 year/ caster level.
Each secret to be enforced requires a separate casting.
The spell's material component is a piece of animal tongue.
Notes: Known to priests of Ela's Temple. (Updated from Dragon Magazine.)
Sources: Priest's Spell Compendium