Protection from Serpents

(See also: Protection Spells) This spell protects the subject from normal serpents. Nonmagical and unintelligent snakes simply ignore the creature's presence. Giant, magical, or intelligent snakes, and snakelike beings such as nagas, can still attack, but at a -2 penalty. The protected creature has a +1 saving throw bonus against injected poisons for the spell's duration.

The material component is ash from a fire in which a snake has been cremated. Relatively large amounts of the ash are required, because, as the spell is cast, the shaman smears the ash over the creature's body. The spell ends if the ash is washed off, or after 24 hours in any case. If the ash is removed from a part of the subject, the exposed portion is again vulnerable to snake bites.