Question Ball - Paramander

This spell transforms a ball of normal crystal into a unique question ball, which answers any questions put to it. The ball is a partial manifestation of an extraplanar humanoid being of divine nature, which uses a gem of seeing and its own powers to discern the answers to the caster's questions. The being speaks Common and two or three other languages, as well as tongues exclusive to its mysterious plane. The being is bound to answer a number of questions equal to the caster's level.

A percentile roll of less than 50 minus the level of the caster indicates the being tells a carefully fabricated and reasonably believable lie. Thus, a 10th-level caster has a 40% chance the being will lie to him. When the being has answered a number of questions equal to the level of the caster, the question ball darkens and crumbles to useless powder.

The being can be released on the Prime Material Plane. If any of the following events occur, the ball shatters and the creature and all its possessions (including the gem of seeing) appear:

If any attempt is made to move the ball to another plane;

If trap the soul, gate, monster summoning VII, or cache is cast on the ball;

If the ball is destroyed using any of the methods for destruction an artifact or relic;

If a wraith or similar creature performs an energy drain on the ball.

The material components of the spell are a ball of crystal, a gem of seeing, and a pound of pure sulphur. The caster piles the sulphur in a heap and burns it with the gem and ball in the middle. While the flames consume the gem and ball, the caster performs the verbal and somatic components of the spell, upon the completion of which the gem and crystal disappear in a sulphurous explosion (no damage) marking the creation of the question ball.