[A to Z April] A is for Acktok's Violet Mark (Spell)

Acktok’s Violet Mark

Evocation [light]
Level: Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V,S,M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: One piece of chalk or other writing instrument
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: none
Spell Resistance: no

Developed primarily for use by delvers, this spell causes a pale magic glow to surround a single piece of chalk or other writing instrument used in the casting. The chalk may be used once every minute and is never consumed regardless of how many times it is used. The possessor of the chalk can inscribe a single message of up to ten characters every minute on any solid surface. The inscription is only visible to the one who possesses the chalk and it glows in a violet light. The chalk itself sheds light similar to a candle. The glow may be affected by a 2nd-level or higher magical darkness effect. The light is too dim to have any special effect on undead or dark-dwelling creatures vulnerable to light and does not cause any harm to any creature that comes into contact with the chalk. Each application on a target requires a standard action by the possessor. The inscription may also be visible by anyone under the effects of an arcane sight or true seeing spell, but is invisible to lesser detection spells such as detect magic, as the inscription also acts as a misdirection spell with the surface being the revealed nature.

The wizard Acktok frequently found himself a member of adventuring and delving parties. After spending a small fortune on chalk–which he used to mark the parties’ passages through the dungeons and caverns–Acktok decided to develop an inexpensive and easier way to mark cavern walls. What he developed was a way to mark individual blocks, bricks, or stones with a violet light only visible to himself so that a return pathway could be easily followed.

This spell is known only from a spellbook and notes found in Acktok’s rooms. He was reported lost and presumed dead by a lone surviving member of his final adventuring party. That individual-–a rogue by profession–-barely escaped with his life following an ambush set by a band of bugbears who found Acktok’s chalk after he errantly lost it in a battle. They followed Acktok's glowing lights and laid in wait for his party to pass by, while Acktok used an arcane sight spell to retrace his steps.

Components: a piece of chalk and a drop of purple ink.

**Many thanks to my buddy Simonathi Starym for game testing, advice, and tweaking on this year's A to Z.

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Previous "A"s:
2012: A is for Albert “Rat-tail” Gail
2011: A is for Adventure