Lightning Lash

A wizard casting this spell unleashes a discharge of electrical energy that inflicts 1d6 points of damage per level of the caster (to a maximum of 6d6). A successful saving throw vs. spell reduces this damage to half (round fractions down). The discharge appears in a shape or arc whose precise location and direction is as visualized by the caster (it is instantaneous, so the caster can't move or “redirect” it to strike a moving or unforeseen foe). If solid barriers, such as stone walls, prevent the lash from fully forming as desired, it rebounds “within itself” (hence its name), affecting only the area in which it was directed to form (creatures in this area must save twice; to suffer only half damage, both throws must succeed).

The lash can set combustible materials aflame, sunder wooden doors (blasting away one inch of thickness per level of the caster, to a maximum of one foot), splinter stone up to six inches thick (a half inch per caster level), and melt metals with low melting points (such as bronze, copper, gold, lead, and silver). Item saving throws must be made to determine if stone shatters, metal melts, or other objects struck by the lash are affected. If a barrier shatters (its saving throw fails), the lash can continue into the area beyond the barrier with full effects-if it was cast to do so.

This spell is often used to melt locks, ruin armor, or seal metal doors shut without harming nearby valuables. Such precision in casting requires practice.

Notes: Very rare spell, originally from the Forgotten Realms setting. (Updated from Polyhedron Newszine.)