Proficiency

(See also: Nonweapon Proficiencies)

Upon casting this spell, the wizard magically empowers himself or another individual to use one or more weapons that he is not proficient with. The affected individual will be able to use the weapon(s) in combat without nonproficiency penalties of any kind for the duration of the spell. The base number of weapons that proficiency is gained is one, and one extra weapon can be gained for every three levels above fifth that the wizard possesses, i.e., an 8th-level mage can empower a creature with two proficiencies. The proficiencies cannot be split among different individuals.

Care must be taken when allotting a weapon proficiency for use; if a cleric who worships a god of peace suddenly gains proficiency with a two-handed sword, he may have some atoning to do.

Because the spell only grants a nominal degree of skill with a weapon, it cannot be used to augment the abilities of a character who is already proficient with a weapon. Thus, a fighter who can already use a long sword cannot have his skill with the weapon improved to "specialized" through the use of this spell. The material components for the proficiency spell are a bit of fleece and a miniature bronze weapon or weapons of the type that the spell's recipient will gain proficiency in.