Delayed Magic Missile

Available to: DM's choice

Visually, this spell is nearly identical to the first level magic missile spell; however, delayed magic missile allows the mage to deal more damage and to stagger the damage over extended periods of time.

When cast, darts of energy shoot from all of the mage's fingertips, collecting into one missile just before striking the target creature; the target creature must be at least partially in sight at the time of the casting.

The missile does 1d6 points of damage for every three levels of the caster (for example a 12th-level caster deals a total of 4d6 points of damage); the initial impact deals 1d6 points of damage to the target, and identical damage is taken each round after that until the duration or the total damage is reached. This staggered damage prevents spellcasters from concentrating on their own spells if it takes effect.

On each round after the first, the target can attempt a saving throw vs. spell at -2 to stave off damage for that round; if successful, the creature can act normally, but failure indicates another 1d6 points of damage taken. Regardless of previous saving throws, the magic remains potent until all damage is dealt or the duration runs out (for example, if an opponent makes 11 successful saving throws against this spell thrown by a 12th-level mage, he only takes the initial 1d6 points of damage since the duration was 12 rounds, the level of the caster). Like the second level slingstar spell, the delayed magic missile is not deflected by shield spells.

While originally created a decade ago by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun and his consort Laeral, this spell has become more widely used in more recent years. Made for the Lords of Waterdeep, the Harpers, and select allies, knowledge of this spell fell into the hands of the Zhentarim and the Knights of the Shield, who spread its use amongst their members as well. While still relatively rare, many mages seek this spell for its uses against other mages in spell battles.