Galathar's Gnostic Chain

:Was Spelt Galather's Gnostic Chain in "FOR6 The Seven Sisters (9475)"

Galathar's gnostic chain is effective only against spellcasting beings. If cast on a being using psionics, natural spell-like powers, or magical items, the spell is wasted.

The chain appears as a glowing, snakelike spiral of light in the air above the chosen target, and settles down around the individual. The chain can form even if the target is invisible or surrounded by magical barriers. There is no known way to escape a gnostic chain as it forms. If the chosen target is not a spellcaster, the chain falls past the individual to the ground and vanishes in a harmless chaos of winking lights.

On the round after the gnostic chain is cast, it affects the chosen target. The victim is forced to cast only spells of the same level as the last spell cast before the chain formed; he can choose which spell (if more than one remains) and when to cast, but any spell cast must be of that spell level. If all memorized spells of that level have been exhausted, the individual has to engage in study before being able to cast spells again. Scrolls and magical items can be used normally.

A gnostic chain cannot be dispelled. It can be escaped only by a successful saving throw vs. spell. The first saving throw allowed to the victim is two rounds after being affected, and it is made at a penalty of-6. The second saving throw, two rounds later, is at -5, the third is at -4, and so on. The penalty decreases to zero (0) and then becomes a bonus of +1 added every other round until a maximum +6 bonus is reached, whereupon the modifiers reduce by 1 again until -6 is reached, and the cycle begins anew. When a saving throw is successful, the spell is broken. The death of the victim also ends the spell; once resurrected or raised, the individual is free of it.

Galathar was an elf mage who won many spell duels during his long adventuring career by means of this spell, until the Simbul defeated him.

The material components are least three joined links of any sort and size of chain, a lock that has been used to confine any living being in the past, and a horseshoe nail. All are consumed in the spell's casting.

Notes: Restricted to the Seven Sisters, their apprentices, select Harpers, and an occasional geometer; rare or very rare.