Hoardguard - Dragon

By means of this spell, a dragon can protect its hoard in such a way as to make theft virtually impossible. When the spell is cast, the dragon's breath weapon temporarily changes. Instead of the usual fire, lightning, acid, and so on, the breath weapon becomes pure magical energy, which must be released by the dragon within 1 round following the spell's casting, or the magic is wasted. The dragon breathes this energy (which conforms to the dimensions of the dragon's usual breath weapon) over its hoard, attempting to encompass as much of the hoard as possible within the area of effect.

This energy bonds whatever parts of the hoard it touches into a solid mass. The spell does not harm the hoard in any way, nor does it alter its appearance or position; the items within the hoard remain loose and separate. Instead, the hoardguard magic fills in the spaces between the individual coins, gems, weapons, chests, ingots, and so forth, and holds them together as a solid mound of wealth. This invisible bond prevents the hoard from being sorted, separated for transport, scattered, or otherwise moved or manipulated as separate items. Because it has essentially become one single mass, lifting the hoard as a whole is impossible by any single creature, except through powerful magic.

The hoard so protected cannot be harmed by physical or magical attacks without first removing the hoardguard spell. It is thus, impossible for intruders to break off pieces or sections of the hoard and carry them away.

Dispel magic has no effect on a hoard protected by the spell, and an antimagic shell frees only as much treasure as fits within its area of effect. (If freed treasure is not removed from the hoard, the hoardguard magic reasserts itself as soon as the shell expires or moves away.) A limited wish negates a hoardguard for one hour (and if the treasure is not separated in that time, the hoardguard will return as above). A full wish destroys the spell permanently.

Treasure added to a hoard already protected by this spell does not gain the spell's benefits. New treasure requires a hoardguard of its own, though the dragon may include the new treasure after the first hoardguard's duration expires and a new spell is cast.

This spell only affects the dragon's hoard. It does not function upon creatures or the items they possess, unless the dragon acquires the items and adds them to its hoard. This spell typically protects the dragon's treasure while it is out hunting for food or seeking treasure. Some dragons arrange their hoards so that the entire amount can be warded with a single spell. Others make several smaller piles, to use up an invader's magical powers in repeatedly negating the spell, and thus, minimizing the overall treasure loss.

Many dragons cannot use this spell due to its level, but all dragons who know of it seek magical items that can duplicate its effects. Non-dragons who somehow cast hoardguard (or a derivative thereof) instantly contract a form of insanity that combines paranoia with intense greed, for which there is no known cure, short of exceptionally powerful magic.

Notes: Rare for dragons; otherwise very rare. Known to be in the Draconomicon.