Gain Weight

The spell causes the designated target to gain useless body mass in the amount of 25% for each level of the caster, to a maximum of 300%. Thus, if a 3rd-level wizard successfully casts gain weight at a 200-pound man, the man's weight is increased by 75% — he gains 150 pounds of useless fat, and weighs 350 pounds until the spell's duration expires.

This spell appears to be a variant on the enlarge spell. It works only against living creatures. An unwilling recipient receives a saving throw to avoid the effects. The added weight is repulsive and ponderous, so that a victim of the spell suffers a -1 penalty to Charisma and Dexterity for every two levels of the caster (round down). Maximum penalty is -6. Movement rate is decreased by one-quarter for every 100% of weight gained, so that at maximum effect (300%) the victim lumbers along at only one-quarter of normal speed. It is not possible to use this spell to inflict injury by squeezing; all clothing and equipment worn by the victim fall to the ground, unharmed. After the spell's duration expires, the victim can re-equip himself. However, the sudden weight gain requires a Dexterity check in precarious circumstances — if the victim is balanced on a ledge, or a rope bridge. Attempting to use thieving abilities such as climb walls (larger fingers can't grip small cracks), hide in shadows (there's more to hide), or move silently (heavy breathing due to the exertion of carrying the extra weight) result in -25% penalty per 100% weight gained. The DM may need to make item saving throws for weak floors, old rickety chairs, etc., that the victim encounters.

If encumbrance rules are used, the additional weight counts as encumbrance, which may require victims to shed excess equipment. Any flying creature (except those which fly magically, such as beholders) that gains more than 75% of its base weight must land by the end of the round the spell takes effect. If not, the creature crashes and suffers one-half normal falling damage.

When the spell expires, the victim returns to normal size immediately with no further harmful effects. The material component of this spell is a wheel of old cheese weighing at least fifty pounds, which the caster must balance on his head while casting the spell.