Softwood

The recipient of a softwood spell is immediately surrounded by soft, spongy wood, similar to that of a rotting stump. The created softwood is a living entity that inhabits the air envelope of the individual, sustaining his or her life at a lower level than normal. The individual is placed in suspended animation.

The softwood cocoon is extremely resistant to heat and cold. While the form within is unconscious, it cannot be harmed. A creature in a softwood cocoon could fall to earth and the heat and impact of the fall would be absorbed by the spell.

The softwood cocoon dissolves in open air. If it enters and stays in a new envelope of fresh air for longer than three turns, the softwood dissolves, letting the individual loose. A softwood spell cast in the open air will be effective for three turns, cocooning the target for 30 minutes, then dissipating in a single round.

The softwood spell was created as a defensive measure, to preserve those cast adrift in space. For each three levels of experience, a priest can affect an additional individual. An enterprising priest might use the spell as a handy method to contain enemies, and as a way to send both foes and mutinous friends into wildspace (and off their ships) without having to slay them.

The material component is any bit of bark. The softwood spell creates the same type of bark covering the body. (If maple is used, then the covering will appear as maple, if pine, it will appear as pine.) If the bark of a sentient or monster-type plant is used, the softwood has similar physical features, but lacks any special abilities of the original.