Conversion

This potent dweomer is used to convert a repentant defiler into a preserver or vice versa (all subsequent references, though phrased as converting a defiler, may be reversed and applied to a preserver as well). It is only used on defilers above 6th level who willingly seek to change their ways and embrace the opposite path. In essence, the caster and target cooperate in casting the spell. The target must freely give up experience and be reduced in level. Further, he must break or give away all magical items he had collected up to this point in his life. This is symbolic of the target's willingness to become different from what he once was. Symbolic or not, until all such items are gone, the spell will not work.

Following the riddance of the target's magical items, he must destroy his former spell book. Whether this means burning scrolls or unraveling knotted patterns doesn't matter. The voluntary giving up of his former knowledge is the key to this undertaking.

Once a target has been cleansed of his former associations, he is ready for the second portion of his change. Some sort of ritual cleansing, either a bath or scrubbing with sand, or rubbing with a savory herb is performed. Then the caster begins the actual spell. The target takes an oath affirming his decision to change, and at that time, is struck by the power of the spell and rendered unconscious. Because of the momentous changes this spell brings about, it may only be performed by a preserver at least one level higher than the defiler who wishes to change.

When the target awakens 24 hours later, he has lost experience points and levels enough to make him a first level preserver. Though he retains his hit points, he is in all other ways (including saving throws) a first level character. When he first awakens, the new preserver is very weak. He must spend one day in bed resting for every level that he lost. This time may be shortened through the casting of heal spells on him. Each such spell reduces the time he must rest by one day. The rigors of the spell have also wiped all knowledge of his former spellcasting techniques from the new preserver's mind. He must spend at least six months with his patron preserver learning a new way of drawing energy and casting spells and making a new spell book.

The material components for converting a defiler to a preserver are ashes and ground gemstone worth at least 300 gp. These are sprinkled over the target as he falls unconscious. To convert a preserver to a defiler, the ashes are replaced by a living plant, newly ripped from the ground and chopped to pieces. The gem is still needed.