Improved Vampiric Touch

(See also: Lich Touch)

A more dangerous version of the 3rd-level spell, vampiric touch, this spell inflicts 1d6 points of damage per two caster levels, to a maximum of 9d6 at 18th level. The caster must touch his opponent with a successful melee attack; the spell lasts until discharged by a touch or until one turn passes. Hit points drained from the opponent are added to the caster's own total, with any hit points above the caster's normal maximum treated as temporary bonus hit points. Damage is subtracted from the bonus hit points first, and any remaining after one day dissipate.

The victim of this spell can recover lost hit points through normal or magical healing; undead creatures are completely unaffected by the spell.

Notes: Restricted to necromancers; uncommon. In the Ravenloft setting this spell triggers a Ravenloft powers check on completion of the attempt.