Khelben's Dweomerdoom

Available to: Alustriel, Elminster, Khelben, Laeral, the Simbul

This powerful magic allows archmages to drain magic directly from spellusers by eliminating the memory of certain spells. This commanding spell needs to be cast through an object-a magical staff, a diamond, a golden crown, etc.-that is made the center of the spell effect. This is not consumed or harmed in any way by the spell.

When the spell is cast, the spell focus is charged with the magical energy; the item remains charged for up to the caster's level in rounds before dissipating. The dweomerdoom activates when the charged focus item is thrown against a hard surface. When it strikes, a green pulse of energy flashes out in a 40-foot radius in all directions from the item (barriers of less than one-foot-thick solid stone or six inches of solid metal are pierced). One spellcaster within the radius of effect, chosen by the caster, bears the brunt of this spell. When the green energy pulse contacts the chosen spellcaster, multiple arcs of energy leap to the focus item, draining the spellcaster of as many memorized spell levels as the caster of the dweomerdoom. Eliminate high level spells first, with any remaining spell levels reducing the lower level spells until the spell levels are gone (i.e. draining 18 levels causes the loss of two 9th-level spells or one 8th-level, one 7th-level, and one 3rd-level).

When the energy pulse meets any other spellcasters (wizard, priest, or other) within the area of effect, a green energy arc leaps to the focus item and drains the memory of one spell up to 9th level (DM's choice, highest level spells first). There is no limit to the number of spellcasters the dweomerdoom affects in this lesser way, provided they are at least partially in the area of effect (the caster of the spell is immune to the spell's effects, of course).

The loss of the memorized spells is permanent, but spellcasters can rememorize the lost spells later (and priests need only to pray to restore lost spell capabilities).

Example: Khelben (W27) flies over a spell battle within Waterdeep between Tharchion Buulgast of Thay (W20) and Nenex the Aged (W22) that has ruined two homes. He casts Khelben's Dweomerdoom on his staff and throws it between the two mages, spearing it into the ground. Buulgast loses the memory of his shape change spell (drained of his most powerful spell automatically). Khelben's main target, Nenex, loses 27 memorized spell levels from his most powerful remaining spells (one 9th, two 8th, and one 2nd): time stop, monster summoning VI, sink, and invisibility.

Khelben developed this spell to deal with the increasing number of powerful mages disrupting Waterdeep’s peace (or so he says; Elminster hints it might involve the many wizards about the Realms and the planes that challenge Khelben to spell duels). The spell's focus is a signature for the casting mage, allowing drained foes to understand just who brought this down upon them; Khelben uses his staff, while Alustriel uses a moonstone pendant with her symbol and Elminster's focus is, of course, his pipe. Most mages very often stop and listen to the spellcaster, which was Khelben's alleged intent: "Do you know how difficult it is to get the attention of a Red Wizard in the throes of a temper tantrum? I think this solves that problem.... "

Notes: Known to certain archmages of the Forgotten Realms setting, including Alustriel, Elminster, Khelben, Laeral, and the Simbul.