Substitution

After this spell is cast, the shukenja is able to transfer a limited amount of damage from himself to a specially prepared figure of his deity. Before casting the spell, the shukenja must first personally prepare a statue of his deity from materials worth at least five chi'en (25 gp). In addition, every time the spell is cast, the shukenja must present an offering suitable to his deity. When the spell is cast, the statue is imbued with the power to absorb 1d4 points of damage the shukenja suffers, no matter where the caster may be. This substitution is automatic, the first points of damage suffered are automatically absorbed by the statue. Repeated spells can be cast on the same statue up to a limit of 20 points of damage transferred. The shukenja cannot have more than one such substitution in effect at any given time. When the shukenja is harmed, he bears no sign of the damage. Instead, it appears on the statue he has prepared. The statue cannot be healed and once all points are lost a new statue must be prepared. This spell is empowered by the great faith and service of the shukenja to his deity. Those in questionable standing with their deity cannot use this spell, as it is an act of compassion from their deity.