Clutch Ward

This simple yet highly useful spell utilizes teleportation magic to protect the unhatched eggs of the dragon. During casting, the dragon handles each egg in the clutch, the entire process requiring 1 round of casting time per egg. Thereafter, the spell lies dormant until activated.

Upon completion of the spell, no creature other than the casting dragon may so much as touch a single egg within the clutch without triggering its magic. When the spell is activated, all of the eggs immediately teleport without error (as the spell) to another location known to the dragon that is determined during the spell's casting. If each egg is subjected to a separate casting of the spell, however, an individual egg can have its own destination point (though this is rarely done).

In addition, the casting dragon is immediately aware that the spell has been triggered, regardless of the distance between the dragon and the eggs (including planar boundaries). If the dragon was asleep at the time the eggs teleport, it is instantly awakened and alert.

The duration of the spell is indefinite, and it lies dormant until activated. Once activated, the spell must be cast anew if the eggs are to remain protected. Otherwise, nothing short of a limited wish can negate the spell. If an egg hatches prior to the spell's activation, the newborn dragon does not trigger the magic, though the hatchling itself is no longer protected by the clutch ward and is left behind if the spell is later activated.