Dictate

(See also: Dictate - Lvl 3 (Priest Spell))

This spell is an improved version of the command spell. It can affect up to six creatures at once, and its effects can last more than one round. Dictate allows the caster to speak a short, precise phrase or order of no more than a dozen words that must be obeyed by all targets who fail their saving throw. Examples include, "Throw down your weapons," "Stay here until I return," or "Seize that elf." The command must be stated in a language understood by the targets, or the spell fails.

Dictate must be phrased to create an immediate course of physical action for the target. Commands to "die" or "sleep" usually don't work, but commands to "lie down and put your hands behind your head" prove effective. If the caster phrases the dictate spell poorly, the DM can assign a saving throw modifier of +1 to +4 for the targets. If the caster directs the intended victim to take an obviously self-destructive action ("Throw yourself off that cliff or "Kill yourself) the victim who fails his save stands still for one round, fighting the compulsion to obey. Such commands never work, however. Once an order takes effect, the creature continues following it until it fulfills the condition or the spell's duration ends. Therefore, when a creature ordered to "climb the ladder" reaches to top of the ladder, the spell ends. A creature ordered to "wait here" does so for the entire duration.

This spell was developed by and for the Harmonium. Since Harmonium security is very tight and very effective, non-Harmonium priests have little chance to gain access to this spell.