Snow Snake

This spell can only be cast to affect an area where there is an amount of snow of at least twice the caster's body volume. It causes the snow to rise up in a serpentine mass and strike at targets in an area of the caster's choosing. As the magic affects only snow, it can also be used to uncover buried items lost in the snow (which will be left behind by the moving snow) or lying on the ground beneath. A snow snake can also be ridden by its caster in a “wave” movement that carries the priest (only) a maximum of 20 feet upward and 50 feet horizontally.

Its most popular use, however, is as an attack spell. It smashes down in a dome-shaped area 20 feet in diameter, extinguishing any fires present in that zone and crushing for 6d4 points of damage. If a snow snake extinguishes any fires when striking, all creatures in the hemisphere suffer an additional 1d4 points of harm from a flurry of scalding steam. Creatures in the hemisphere of effect are encumbered by deep snow and are slowed to half movement rate for as long as they remain in the affected area. (If they choose to leave the hemisphere directly, their movement is slowed only for the round after the strike of the snow snake.)

All creatures in the area of a snow snake strike are allowed a saving throw vs. spell. Those who succeed take only half damage and are considered unencumbered (but any steam damage takes its normal effect).

All items within the area of effect (except those worn or carried by a creature that successfully saves vs. the spell) must make item saving throws vs. crushing blow.

If snow snake spell is cast into an area that has been affected by an ice storm or cone of cold spell within the previous 4 rounds, its base damage becomes 6d6 points (steam damage is unaltered).

The material components are snow and a single tear, drop of spittle, or drop of water in the caster's palm (the last can, of course, be melted snow).