Brainblaze

This spell allows the caster to transform his body into a pillar of pure life energy. The body appears to “fall away” to reveal a pillar of bright white light of the same height and in the same location as the body occupied. This pillar can “float” hanging in midair, if no surface exists for it to rest on, and it cannot be harmed by non-magical means. A caster could use this spell to avoid the effects of a hail of arrows or other physical attack that could not otherwise be avoided. The pillar flies at a movement rate of 21 (MC A).

Brainblaze bolts: The pillar of energy evoked by the spell cannot cast spells but can hurl one or more bolts of itself at any living target, using the caster's base THAC0 Such attacks do not diminish the pillar's vitality and fade away if they miss. Those struck suffer damage and spell draining depending on the number of attacks the caster makes.

If a brainblaze bolt contacts a mind that contains memorized spells, it steals a random spell; the caster instantly gains the stolen spell and can cast it after the brainblaze spell's expiration if the necessary material components are available. The stolen spell is always from one of the three most powerful spell levels memorized by the target. Stolen spells dissipate after 24 hours if not used.

Number of Bolts | Damage/ Bolt | Max. Spell Level Stolen ----------------+--------------+------------------------ One | 15d10 | 8 Two | 10d8 | 7 Three | 10d6 | 6 Four | 10d4 | 5

Any creature that touches the main pillar of life energy loses 10d4 points, but is not subject to spell stealing. A successful saving throw vs. death magic allows an unwilling creature to dodge a touch attack initiated by the caster.

The caster must make a successful Constitution check to reform his body; failure means the essence of the wizard is doomed to wander, aware but silent, until some means of gaining a body or receptacle is found (this typically requires the aid of another magic-using being).

Notes: Very rare. (Updated from Dragon Magazine.)