Spider Climb

(See also: Spider Climb (Wizard Spell))

The version of spider climb used by drow priestesses is a slight improvement over the widely-known wizard spell.

Bare hands and feet are required, and the affected creature moves at MV 9 (6 if at all encumbered). Movement is silent, unless loose rock, and so on is dislodged. Objects that weigh less than 1 pound will stick to the affected being's hands and feet for the spell duration, making certain types of spellcasting virtually impossible. The effect can be prematurely ended by the caster, by pronunciation of a word (if the affected being is not the caster. the caster must be within a range of 10 yards per level for the word to have any effect).

Sufficient force will tear a spider climbing being away from the surface clung to; the DM determines what occurs according to the situation.

No material component is required. If the caster is also the recipient of the spell, its duration can be (by silent will) stopped and started; that is, a climber who reaches a ledge can suppress the effect and sleep, cast other spells, and engage in other activities, activating the spider climb later in order to climb down.

This option is not available to creatures other than the caster. Such beings must be touched for the caster to transfer the magic to them. This can be done at any time during the life of the spell – that is the priest can spider climb for a time, touch another being and, by will, transfer the ability to that other being for the remaining time. A being unwilling to be affected is allowed a saving throw vs. spell to negate the effect (this ends the spell immediately).