Build and run your Advanced Dungeons & Dragons campaign on World Anvil!

START NOW

Explosive Runes

Name
Explosive Runes
Type of Magic
Mage
Spell Level
3rd
School
Alteration (House Publius)
Sphere
Reversible?
No
Range
​Touch​
Components

Somatic, Verbal

Duration
​Special ​
Casting Time
3
Area of Effect
10-ft. radius
Saving Throw
None or ½
Effects
​By tracing these mystic runes upon a book, map, scroll, or similar object bearing written information, the wizard prevents unauthorized persons from reading his material. The explosive runes are difficult to detect--5% chance per level of magic use experience of the reader; thieves have only a 5% chance. But trap detection by spell or magical device always finds these runes.​ ​When read, the explosive runes detonate, delivering 6d4+6 points of damage to the reader, who gets no saving throw. A like amount, or half that if saving throws are made, is suffered by each creature within the blast radius. The wizard who cast the spell, as well as any he instructs, can read the protected writing without triggering the runes. Likewise, the wizard can remove the runes whenever desired. Others can remove them only with a successful dispel magic or erase spell. Explosive runes otherwise last until the spell is triggered. The item upon which the runes are placed is destroyed when the explosion takes place, unless it is not normally subject to destruction by magical fire (see the item saving throws in Chapter 6 of the DMG). ​

World Anvil: The Ultimate Worldbuilding Toolset & RPG Campaign Manager

Created for Dungeon Masters and Game Masters, World Anvil has everything you need to build your own homebrew RPG campaign setting, and run your games, either online or around the table!

  • Speed up prep with a whole library of community statblocks you can copy (and edit!)
  • Enthrall your players with interactive maps, timelines, and a whole wiki of your world
  • Keep track of NPCs, PC character sheets, monster stats, treasure, journals, notes and more
  • Quickly look up essential info with session notes, campaign map markers, and bookmarked lore at your fingertips
  • Build your own campaign setting, or expand a prewritten campaign, with expertly created worldbuilding templates and prompts
  • Control who sees what in your worldbuilding wiki with secrets and subscriber groups
  • Collaborate with players and GMs to build the campaign setting of your dreams 
  • NEVER lose your notes!

GET STARTED TODAY!

Take the first step. Create your account. Your world and characters await!

100+ RPG systems