Howling Horror

This spell causes a wraithlike flying form to be emitted from the caster. Moaning eerily, it flies at a target being within line of sight that has been mentally selected by the caster. A howling horror cannot form underwater. A howling horror is a faceless, translucent gray, wispy being that swirls and drifts in response to weapon blows and moving objects. It is not fooled by feign death spells or similar conditions. The caster need not concentrate on the horror to maintain its existence. Once a target creature is selected, the howling horror cannot be redirected against any other being.

The howling horror is a magical force, not an undead creature, and thus, cannot be turned. It lasts for 1 round per level of the caster, or until the target creature perishes. The horror is destroyed by suffering more than 22 points of damage or if the caster wills it to vanish.

Only physical attacks that pass through the volume of air the horror occupies harm it. The horror itself hits every time it attacks for 2d4 points of damage. For every point of damage the howling horror inflicts, a hit point is gained by its caster. If the caster has been hurt, these points heal damage. When the caster is at full hit points, these points become bonus hit points that remain with the caster for 1 turn. Any damage suffered by the caster is taken from the bonus hit points first.

Spells that affect an area have no effect on a howling horror. Spells directed specifically against a horror do it no harm; these spell effects are instead transmitted to its caster. The caster suffers no harm from them and can emit them at any chosen target (not necessarily the horror's target). This retransmission occurs in addition to the caster's other activities and does not disrupt or replace the caster's own spellcasting. The emission is immediate and involuntary; if the caster does not direct the emission, then the distance and direction of the spell effect is determined randomly.

Spells targeted on the caster while the horror is active are likewise transmitted through the magical link to the horror, to be emitted by the horror at targets selected by the caster. The primary target of the horror need not be among them. Spells affecting an area are also immediately altered and usurped by the caster in this manner if the caster is in the area of effect at all (any other creatures in the area escape the effects of the usurped spell). Again, this occurs in addition to any spellcasting on the part of the horror-caster, and it does no harm to either the horror or its creator.

If the caster is unconscious, spells are emitted from the caster (or horror, respectively) in random directions. A retransmitted spell that affects an area is focused at a random distance and direction.

The material component of this spell is a small cone made of bone that is consumed in the casting.

Notes: Unique spell; known only to Sememmon, one of the Zhentarim triumvirate. Casting this spell is an evil act.

Howling Horror: MV Fl 15 (A); AC 5; #AT 2: THAC0 always bits; Dmg 2d4; SD damage inflicted heals caster; immune to spells; spell link/retransmission.