Earthmaw
- SchoolAlteration
- SphereElemental Earth
- ComponentsV, S, M
- Range50 yds.
- Area10-ft. diameter circle
- Casting time7
- Duration1 rd.
- SaveNeg.
Earthmaw causes a patch of ground 10 feet in diameter to grow stalactite teeth. The mouth springs forth on a short serpentine neck, much like a water weird, and attacks once in a direction the caster dictates. Then it retracts into the earth and closes solidly. The site of an earthmaw spell appears as if the ground has been tilled recently.
The mouth can attack one large creature, two man-sized creatures, or four small-sized creatures within 10 feet of its outer edge. It can strike multiple creatures only if they remain clustered within a 10-foot diameter circle adjacent to the maw.
The earthmaw attacks as a monster with Hit Dice equal to the caster's level. Creatures standing on the site of the maw suffer a +3 penalty to Armor Class for purposes of that attack only. Creatures standing next to the maw surfer no Armor Class penalty.
A successful hit inflicts 1d4 points of damage per level of the caster. An unmodified roll of 19 or 20 means the maw has swallowed the creature whole, burying the individual 2d4 feet below ground. Creatures can be dug out manually, with appropriate spells (such as dig), or with magical items (such as a spade of colossal excavation). A creature trapped underground suffocates unless freed within a number of rounds equal to one-third its Constitution score.
Earthmaw can be cast on any area of loose or packed earth, sand, or vegetation-covered soil. It can be cast indoors on an earthen surface: for example, on the dirt floor of a bam or basement, but not on the marble floor of a home or temple. It cannot be cast on an area containing a tree, any portion of a building, or any type of pavement.
An object present on the site of the maw (such as a campfire or a tent, etc.) counts as a creature of that object's size in attacks.
The material component is a tooth from any predatory creature.
Notes: Uncommon for druids.
Sources: Priest's Spell Compendium