[A to Z April] E is for Elder Oath (spell)

Elder Oath

Evocation
Level: Clr 9, Drd 9
Components: V,S,F,DF
Casting Time: 1 minute/target
Range: Touch
Target: 1 target/caster level (max. 20)
Duration: Permanent until triggered, then instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes

When cast, this spell binds the recipients to a specific oath. This can be an oath of brotherhood, of silence, or of protection, for example. It is used to seal important pacts or pledges, it is typically a sign of friendship and devotion, although some clerics may use it for binding unwitting participants to an evil deed.

The ceremony must be performed by a cleric who approves of the oath to be sworn. A cleric cannot successfully perform this ritual while under coercion or control, whether physical or magical, including charm or other mind-effect spells. In order to perform the ritual, a drop of blood from each participant must be poured over the cleric’s holy symbol while he speaks the words of the prayers for the binding to take hold.

Normally such oaths are undertaken between participants who are willing. However, evil clerics can force such oaths upon an unwilling participant or participants. In order to do so, the unwilling participant must first fail a DC 16 Will save.

Once this spell is cast, the oath remains dormant, but in effect unless any of the participants knowingly and wilfully breaks the oath. At that time, that individual is struck by a flamestrike spell. At the same moment, all other participants and the oath-binding cleric know of the oath-breaking.

A participant may only be party to one single oath at any time. Any secondary oath constitutes an oath-breaking and the individual suffers the consequences. In addition, each participant is marked on the forehead with an invisible arcane symbol which is only visible to another participant or the oath-binding cleric. In addition, that symbol cannot be masked by any means, physical or magical, including any polymorph or other shape-changing effect or illusion. Likewise, the arcane symbol cannot be duplicated or copied by any illusory effect or magical effect.

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Last year's "E": E is for Erol Otus
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