Pilfer the Essence

Sidebar Grim Callings A wily moribund developed this spell after barely surviving an encounter with a warrior wielding a sword of life stealing. The mage coveted the negative energy within the weapon and, after much dangerous research, developed this spell to tap any cache of stolen life force.

The moribund must be aware that an object contains negative essence; this spell in no way divines such knowledge. Items that age, create undead, drain levels, cause withering or instant death, or weaken are often powered by negative essence.

When the moribund drains the enchanted object, he gains a number of hit points equal to the item's XP Value divided by 1,000. Thus, a staff of withering drained by pilfer the essence would transfer 8 hp (8,000 XP Value / 1,000) to the moribund, while an arrow of slaying would grant only 1 hp (250 XP / 1,000, rounding fractions up). Certain cursed objects may also be targeted by this spell, and since experience is usually not gained for such items, consider the list below that includes some of the more commonly known objects:

* Candle of powerlessness: 2 hp * Necklace of strangulation: 8 hp * Periapt of foul rotting: 8 hp * Ring of weakness: 4 hp * Robe of powerlessness: 2 hp * Rug of smothering: 6 hp

The hit points gained from the casting of the spell are permanent but cannot exceed the caster's hit point maximum.

The object is allowed a saving throw against the spell to determine if the essence held within is totally drained or merely a portion is siphoned by the spell. Wands save as 6th-level wizards, staves and rods as 8th-level wizards, and all other items as 12th-level wizards. Should this save be successful, charged items only lose 1d4 charges while all other enchanted objects are rendered inoperative for 1d4 rounds. An item that fails this roll loses its enchantment permanently. Artifacts are unaffected by this spell.

The material component of this spell is the fingerbone of a thief.