Virus Charm

Virus charm is a particularly nasty version of mass charm that has a specialized means of spreading. The initial virus charm is cast on a single individual, who must make a saving throw at -2 to avoid being charmed. The charmed individual (monster or person) must have fewer hit points than the wizard who cast the spell for this spell to operate. If the charmed individual has greater or equal hit points, the spell functions as a simple charm person or monster.

Once charmed, the target individual can now charm others (person or monster) by touch. These latter individuals are considered to be charmed by the original spellcaster. Each new target individual must make a saving throw vs. spell. Those with more hit points than the original caster save at +2 to their die roll. These charmed individuals can then in turn charm others in the same manner.

The virus charm can affect up to three times the original caster's experience level in individuals, not levels or Hit Dice. Individuals under the effect of the virus charm behave the same as someone who was charmed normally, with all of the charm spell's limitations and requirements. Each character's Intelligence determines how long the charm will last before a second saving throw is permitted. If the caster attacks an individual under a virus charm, all individuals under the virus charm are permitted saving throws. Similarly, a dispel magic cast successfully on an individual under the charm affects all individuals under that virus charm.

Virus charms are commonly used by wizards to rouse a crowd of followers quickly or to send an unknown, charmed agent in to meet with an otherwise reclusive foe.

The material component of the spell is a thin web of finely-spun copper wire, worth about 100 gp. The components are used only for the initial spell—after the initial charm, the spell is passed on by touch. Creatures that are immune to enchantment/charm spells are unaffected by the virus charm.

Notes: Very rare spell from the Forgotten Realms setting. Known to be in Tidings of Conflict and Woe.