Improved Slow

This spell causes the affected creatures to move and attack at 1/9 their normal rate. In combat, affected creatures only attack every ninth round, and they cannot cause damage from normal melee attacks. However, they do attack with a -8 penalty for nonstandard melee attacks, such as touch energy drain and paralysis-such attacks, if successful, have their stated effect without penalty. Creatures under this spell have a +8 penalty to their AC as well. The caster can vary the area of effect as desired, arranging the thirty 10-foot cubes (30,000 cubic feet total) in any continuous shape, provided no section extends beyond the range of the spell. All creatures entirely within the area of effect may be slowed, but each is entitled to a saving throw vs. spell to negate the spell. This spell negates the effects of a haste or improved haste spell.

The material component for this spell is a tiny golden statue (minimum 10 gp value).

Notes: Common in the Dark Sun setting; this spell requires a mentor who has been there or spell research in that setting.