Laeral's Crowning Touch

City of Splendors Version

Available to: Chosen of Mystra (Alustriel, Laeral, Simbul)

By casting this spell, the wizard effects a debilitating curse upon the target. Effective primarily against mages, the spell is initially unnoticeable save to the targets; to them, Mystra's symbol appears on each of their palms as a glowing brand (the brands are invisible to all others unless viewed by detect magic or reveal magic). For a year and a day, the caster knows he has been cursed by the Chosen of Mystra for a transgression against her, or a misuse of power. There is no saving throw against the crowning touch. Most priests are immune to this spell, as their magic come from sources other than Mystra; priests of Azuth and Mystra are, however, affected by the spell just as wizards.

The long-term effects of the spell are harsh. Whenever a recipient of Laeral's crowning touch casts a spell, he or she loses one full level per level of any spell cast, reducing Hit Dice, class bonuses, spell abilities, etc. accordingly (a 14th level wizard casts a 6th-level spell and immediately drops to 8th level, losing 6d4 hit points et al). Physically, the character's hair gains streaks of silver in it. With each additional spell, all hair turns silver, and then it all falls out. In addition, the caster's hands become gnarled, and sores form on the vocal cords, making it harder to vocalize spells as well. (These are physical manifestations of the changes wrought by the spell, not added penalties.) After the spell runs its course, all physical effects vanish, returning the wizard to normal; however, the caster is marked for life with a visible silver brand of Mystra's symbol on one palm-a legacy of the crowning touch.

If cast upon a lich, the undead spellcaster gains a saving throw vs. spell at a -2 penalty. If successful, the spell is negated, but a failed saving throw causes liches to suffer these altered effects: each time it casts a spell, the lich inflicts 1d8 points of damage per spell level on itself (the crowning touch drains its body of its source of unlife). This damage is unavoidable and, if reduced to 0 hit points or fewer, can destroy the lich and its phylactery utterly.

This spell was developed for use only against the worst of transgressors. If the touched wizards are intelligent or knowledgeable enough, they realize what forces are rallied against them, and spend the duration of the spell atoning for their offenses in Mystra's eyes. Effectively, this sends spellcasters into forced retirement for a year and a day to avoid losing their power. Fools who don't realize who their opponent is or what she can do bring punishment upon themselves, draining themselves of abilities and scarring their bodies in irreverent, wasteful uses of magic.

Also known across the Realms as "The Sisters' Crowning Touch," this specialized curse is a powerful spell created by Laeral and shared with only two of her sisters. In fact, only the Chosen by Mystra can wield this spell; an unscrupulous apprentice of the Simbul's tried the spell, only to have it visited on herself! The magic's message is simple: You have abused the right to use Mystra's magic and one of her Chosen has called you to task for it. While Khelben and Elminster are certainly capable of casting this powerful magic, they choose not to learn or use it. "We leave it to the discretion of the Sisters to dole out these personal banes from the goddess herself. Some things just require the delicate touch of a lady...."

Wizard's Spell Compendium Version

By casting this spell, the wizard effects a debilitating curse on a target being. To be affected, a target must be a spell-using entity that employs magic governed by Mystra (such as all priests of Azuth and Mystra).

The spell is initially unnoticeable save to the subject; Mystra's symbol appears drawn in silver on each palm (or on chest and forehead of beings lacking palms) as a glowing brand. The brands can be seen by others employing detect magic or reveal magic. Even after the spell expires, one mark remains forever.

For a year and a day, the subject knows he has been cursed. A recipient who casts a spell loses one full level of experience per level of any spell cast (reducing Hit Dice, class bonuses, spell abilities, etc. accordingly). For example, a 14th-level wizard who casts a 6th level spell immediately drops to 8th level, losing 6d4 hit points and all powers and abilities beyond those of an 8th level wizard). Memorized spells are not lost, but if their level is beyond the cursed wizard's ability, they cannot be replaced once cast.

Streaks of silver appear in the hair of the cursed spellcaster. With each spell use, more silver appears. When the transgressor's hair is all silver, it falls out. In addition, the transgressor's hands become gnarled, and sores form on the vocal cords, making it harder to vocalize spells as well. (These are physical manifestations of the changes wrought by the spell, not added penalties.) After the spell expires, these side-effects vanish, and normal spell use returns. However, lost levels are gone and must be regained through the accumulation of experience.

If this spell is cast upon a lich, the undead spellcaster is allowed a saving throw vs. spell at a -2 penalty. If successful, the spell is negated. If failed, the lich loses 1d8 hit points per spell it casts (draining itself slowly of unlife), but the cast spell functions normally otherwise. There is no known way to avoid this damage, and a lich reduced to 0 hit points in this way is destroyed utterly, along with its phylactery.

This spell was developed for use only against those who misuse in the worst way the sort of magic Mystra has dominion over. If the subjects are intelligent or knowledgeable enough, they realize what has occurred when the symbols of Mystra manifest and go into seclusion while they pray to Mystra for forgiveness. Effectively, this sends spellcasters into forced retirement for a year and a day. The goddess has been known to shorten the effects of the touch for the truly repentant.

Only the Chosen by Mystra can wield this spell; an unscrupulous apprentice of the Simbul's tried the spell on a man who spurned her, only to have it visited on herself!

Notes: A unique Forgotten Realms spell, restricted by Mystra to Mystra's Chosen (Alustriel, Laeral, and the Simbul use it most frequently).