Bonebind
- SchoolNecromancy
- ComponentsV, S, M
- Range10 yds./level
- AreaOne undead/level
- Casting time6
- Duration1 rd.
- SaveSpecial per level
This spell requires a bone from any creature, held in the caster's hand. It can affect only undead.
The effects of a bonebind are automatic on all chosen undead of 7HD or less with corporeal forms. Such undead are curled into a ball (if more than one undead is affected, they are all gathered into one tightly-packed sphere) and held helpless, immobile and with their special abilities in stasis, until the spell expires or the caster frees them by an act of will. Typically, this "boneball" is rolled off a cliff, into an obstacle or fire, or conveyed into the midst of foes, whereupon the caster ends the magic, freeing the undead to fight.
Against incorporeal undead and all undead of 8HD or more who don't turn as "Special," a bonebind acts only as a slow spell.
Bonebind also has additional effects against certain types of undead. When cast on a vampire, it forces the vampire into corporeal form and traps it in that form for the spell's duration (so that it must remain solid, visible, and can't fly). A bonebind spell prevents a banshee from wailing while the spell is in effect, and protects the caster from the aging effects of seeing a ghost. In the latter case, the spell makes the caster glow with a white radiance, but has no effect on the ghost or other undead present. To be effective against aging, it must be cast within one turn after sighting the ghost.
Corporeal undead of 7HD or less get no saving throw against a bonebind. Incorporeal undead and ail undead of 8HD or more save vs. spell with a - 1 penalty, but are allowed a saving throw every second round after the spell contacts them. Whenever one succeeds, they break free of the spell. Liches and vampires are especially susceptible to bonebind spells, and save with a -3 penalty (every second round until free, as above). "Special" undead are immune to bonebind spells.
Sources: Dragon Magazine