Arcane Anomalies: Rending the Veil
Arcane Anomalies is going to be a new (semi-) regular series of posts looking at magic items, artefacts and spells for F20 and other game systems. Each will be presented in a (roughly) system neutral way, allowing them to be adapted for your game of choice. They will also have a short fluff text, which can be used to inspire ways for them to be inserted into your games.
Today's post regards the spell Rending the Veil. They say that this cruel ritual has been used by the witches of Drakenlake Forest to gain insight into the mysteries of the cosmos. Their oft blind familiars have the uncanny ability to see beyond reality and those that talk with them often learn more than they bargained for. When a more reasoned glimpse beyond this mortal realm is required, they turn to captives, using them and then discarding the husks that are left behind; persons who have been driven mad by things that have seen but can never comprehend.
Rending the Veil
Magic-User Level 3 Duration: 10 minutes/caster level (or 1 hour) Range: Touch Components: V, S, M
Rending the Veil involves the removal of the target's eyeball using the means of the caster's choice (hot iron, knives, spoons etc.) while the incantation is performed. The target does not have to be willing, although in this case, they will need to be restrained. Successfully cast, the spell confers the same effects of the True Seeing spell. However, the target must make a save versus Magic (or Intelligence) to avoid looking beyond the material plane and comprehending things beyond their understanding. If they fail, roll on the table below.
For obvious reasons, this spell can only be used on a specific target a limited number of times equal to the number of eyes they have. Target's who have their eye removed suffer appropriate penalties to hit and should a target's last remaining eye be removed they are rendered permanently blind. Removal of the eye cannot be healed short of a Regeneration spell or equivalent.
Failed Save results table:
| 1d8 | Results |
|---|---|
| 1. | The target understands the futility of their own existence. They immediately lose one point of Wisdom permanently. |
| 2. | The target's will is crushed by what they perceive. They immediately try to claw the knowledge from their own brain and will do so successfully, unless prevented from doing so. The urge passes in 1d6 hours. |
| 3. | The target's glimpse of the realms outside our own attracts the attention of some otherworldly entity, which now resides within their head until the right moment for it to be unleashed. |
| 4. | The target is lashed by psychic forces and takes 1d8 damage as the understanding of what they have just witnessed begins turns their grey matter to mush. |
| 5. | The target provides an arcane link which otherworldly forces can use for their own benefit. The target can be subjected to a Charm Person spell at any time in order for these beings to get them to carry out some task or other (save applies). Only a Remove Curse or equivalent will sever the link. |
| 6. | The target cannot comprehend what they witness and acts as if under a Confusion spell for 1d10 rounds. |
| 7. | The target receives a premonition of future events involving death and tragedy. This may or may not relate directly to them and their companions. |
| 8. | The target may make a hard Intelligence check to fully comprehend what they glimpse. If successful their Intelligence is raised by one point permanently. |