Quell
- SchoolEnchantment/Charm
- ComponentsV, S
- Range30 yds.
- Area1 creature
- Casting time3
- DurationSpecial
- SaveNeg.
When the quell spell is cast, the wu jen points his finger at the target and utters a few mystic words, attempting to instantly subdue the subject. The subject must be intelligent but does not need to understand the language of the caster. A creature with more Hit Dice or levels than the wu jen is unaffected. The creature must make a successful saving throw vs. spell to avoid the effect. Failure means the creature instantly surrenders, as if subdued in combat or by any other means.
In addition, the wu jen can demand some service of the subdued creature if it understands the speech of the wu jen. If attempted, the creature is allowed a second saving throw vs. spell. Success breaks the quell spell; if unsuccessful, the creature agrees to the service and attempts to complete it.
Any service that does not cause the certain death or injury of the creature and has hope of success in a short time can be requested. The affected creature won't leap into a fire (unless immune to fire) but will risk dashing into a burning building to recover some object or rescue someone, if a reasonable chance for success exists. Furthermore, service is completed by the safest, easiest, and most efficient method, according to whatever preparations the creature's Intelligence allows. In the above example, the creature might soak itself with water and cover itself with wet blankets before making the attempt (if it was smart enough to think of this).
Once the service is completed, the creature is freed from the quell spell. A creature that feels powerful enough may attempt to wreak vengeance on the caster as soon as the spell is lifted. If the service has no set completion (“guard and protect me”), the creature is allowed a new saving throw every day to break the spell. This saving throw might be increased by +2 if the spellcaster and his friends seem especially weakened in the eyes of the creature.
Notes: Common in oriental settings; otherwise, very rare.
Sources: Wizard's Spell Compendium