Mine the Earthspark

This rare spell shows obvious dwarven influences; indeed, it can be cast only in the dwarven tongue. It leads a rhabdomancer toward scarce areas underground where magical power is held deep within the earth. Some sages may call such deposits Nodes or Sarsens, and they can be magically tracked down via the lines of power and emanations radiating from them. The dwarves have another name for them: Hordask Thardik, or Seat of the Earthspark.

Should the rhabdomancer finally arrive at such a site and the spell duration has not expired, he may seek to draw out some of the vast arcane energy of the sarsen through his dowser rod and into his person. This is dangerous, as a mortal shell was not built to contain such power. The wizard must make an immediate system shock roll to survive tapping the Earthspark. Failure means death, as the body is blackened from the vast power drawn.

Should the roll be successful, the benefits are many. The rhabdomancer’s Strength and Constitution instantly are increased to 18. Any wounds the caster may have suffered are healed, scars vanish, and even lost fingers, toes, ears, or eyes are regenerated. The rhabdomancer seems to seethe with an unnatural power that can cause awe or fear (depending upon the character’s actions) in any individual or creature below 4th level or four Hit Dice.

Because the Earthspark is connected with the energies of the elemental plane of earth, all spells cast by the rhabdomancer that deal with earth, dirt, or stone have double the normal area of effect and duration. Also, creatures from that plane will not attack the caster, either out of respect or fear (if an opposing alignment), except in self-defense. Any attempt to petrify the caster ends in failure. The power of the Earthspark remains with the rhabdomancer for a number of days equal to his level halved. No benefits are gained if this spell is intoned again before the benefits of first casting expire. Some dwarven scholars have suggested that continued exposure to the Earthspark corrupts a man, turning him miserly and mean-spirited. This may be true, for obviously, the location of any sarsen is a prize much sought after by high-level rhabdomancers, and such mages jealously guard the site with traps and even creatures, hoping to protect their claim from other rhabdomancers seeking power.