Numbness

This spell causes a limb of the subject's body to go numb. Only arms, legs, tails, tentacles, and wings can be so affected (including an elephant's trunk or other prehensile limbs are affected); a head, for example, would not be affected. The caster must make a successful attack roll to affect the desired limb (see table). Creatures of gargantuan size (size G) are immune to the spell.

Limb | Attack Penalty ---------------------------------+--------------- Striking tentacle, clawed arm | 0 Lowered wing, weapon-holding arm | -1 Leg or foreleg | 2 Raised wing, active tail | -3

Tentacles, arms, and active tails are assumed to be in use for attacking the spellcaster or his allies. The DM may further modify these chances as common sense dictates. A dragon raising its wings high over the caster's head may have placed them out of reach, while a gnome illusionist fighting a giant would not have to stoop or lunge below his normal height to touch the giant's leg. In general, the term “striking tentacle” refers to any limb within easy reach; “weapon-holding arm” means any limb close but active; “leg” means any limb for which the caster has to lunge or spring; “raised wing, active tail” means any limb that moves very fast or is awkward to reach. Helpless, sleeping, or bound opponents can be touched automatically.

The limb loses all feeling for the duration of the numbness, with consequent loss of feeling and efficiency. The following specific penalties accrue to a numbed limb:

Ability Score loss: The numbed limb loses 2 points of Dexterity and Strength, with attendant penalties for attack, defense, thieving abilities, and so on. Objects grasped by a numbed limb are 30% likely be dropped each round.

Attack Penalties: A numbed limb has a -1 penalty when attacking, in addition to any Strength loss. Missile-firing penalties may be assessed in addition to Dexterity loss (for example, a victim might not be able to draw a specially strengthened bow).

Armor Class Adjustment: This depends on the limb affected. A numbed shield arm negates shield use. A numbed weapon arm parries at -4. A numbed leg gives a 1-point AC penalty in addition to any Dexterity effect; and so on.

Movement loss: Walking on a numbed limb reduces movement rate by one-third and gives a 20% chance to fall prone each round. A numbed wing reduces flying movement rate by one third, worsens maneuverability class by one step, and the flyer requires two rounds to become airborne.

Weakened Grapple: Damage inflicted by a numbed limb's clutch (for example, a bear's hug) is at -1 per die (minimum 1 point of damage per die). Creatures attempting to break free from the grasp of a numbed limb have a +30% bonus (or +6) to their attempts to do so.

Penalties for multiple hits on a single limb are cumulative. The caster can negate the spell at will.