Death Symbol of Bane

The Risen Cult of Bane uses a special symbol created long ago with the direct assistance of the god Bane. Unlike other priestly symbols, the death symbol of Bane is extremely long-lasting; it lasts for one discharge per creature whose blood is used in its making. The casting of most death symbols of Bane involves the sacrifice of at least 30 creatures whose blood is mixed into a paste with ground black opal dust and diamond dust (no less than 5,000 gp value of each type of dust). (Only three drops of each creature's blood are required, though Banites usually kill whole creatures and use all their blood.) The symbol is drawn with this grisly paste.

A death symbol of Bane vanishes, once cast, and glows only when activated. It can be detected by magics that allow the reading or detection of invisible things or writings. It cannot be activated by any creature bearing a holy symbol of Bane. Typically, it is cast on a door or portal. It is activated when any creature of the types whose blood was used in its creation who is not carrying a holy symbol of Bane touches the door or attempts to pass through the portal.

When activated, it explodes outward in destructive, life-draining energy. Any being within 10 feet of the death symbol of Bane must make a successful saving throw vs. death magic or be slain. (Any being touching the death symbol itself, even if using a weapon or tool to do so, saves at a -1 penalty.) Any being within 20 feet must make a successful saving throw vs. paralyzation or suffer a chilling withering that causes ldl 2 points of damage; there is a 30% chance that 1 hit point of such damage is permanently lost. Any being within 40 feet must make a successful saving throw vs. breath weapon or be wracked by fierce stabbing pains for 2dl0 rounds. These cause —2 penalties to victims' attack rolls as well as a -1 penalty on Dexterity ability scores.

These effects are cumulative. A creature touching a death symbol-guarded door or area has to save against all three effects each time the symbol is activated.

If a death symbol of Bane is cast upon a surface that is destroyed or broken before the death symbol is exhausted (usually in an attempt to destroy or bypass the death symbol), the death symbol's magical energy is instantly released in an explosion. This energy blast does 3d8 points of damage to all creatures within 10 feet, 2d8 points to all within 11 to 20 feet, 1d8 to all within 21 to 30 feet, and 1d4 to all within 31 to 40 feet.

The material component of this spell is the paste (described above) with which the symbol is drawn.