Ghoul Gauntlet
This rare and horrible spell causes the victim to be
slowly transformed into a ravening, flesh-eating
ghoul (see the description in the MONSTROUS COMPENDIUM
for all about the lives of ghouls). The transformation
process usually begins at the limb or extremity, usually the hand or arm, closest to the location touched
by the caster at the onset of the spell. The victim suffers 1 - 2 hit points of damage each round while the
body slowly dies and transforms into a ghoul's cold,
undying flesh.
The victim is entitled to an initial saving throw to
resist this deadly transformation. If failed, only a Limited Wish, Wish, or Restoration will end the condition. A
dispel magic or remove curse may be effective, but only
if cast within three rounds of the touch that confers
the ghoul gauntlet. During the early stages of the
spell, the original afflicted extremity may be severed
and burned to terminate the spell.
If the extremity affected by the ghoul gauntlet is
amputated while the victim has lost less than 20% of
his or her total hit points, then only a hand or a foot
may need to be severed (inflicting 1d4 + 1 hp of damage, requiring a system shock roll to remain conscious, and resulting in the loss of the limb's mobility and functions). After
the victim has lost 20% - 50% of his or
her hit points, however, an entire limb will have to
be cut off, with the loss of 1d12 + 4 hp
and a system shock roll.
Initially, the transformed flesh of the victim
has no paralytic powers or any of the special abilities
associated with ghouls. As the spell unfolds, the
advancing front of dying flesh inexorably traverses
the entire body, and the victim immediately dies
once the ghoul gauntlet reaches the heart or brain
(upon reaching 0 hp due to the spell). Healing spells,
potions, or magical items have no power to cure or
reverse this affliction while the ghoul gauntlet runs its
course.
One full day after the victim has died (unless the
remains are burned), the subject awakens as a full-fledged ghoul as outlined in the MONSTROUS COMPENDIUM.
The undead is now a fawning slave, utterly under the
control of the necromancer who cast the nefarious spell.
Both of the material components are consumed by the casting
of the spell.
[Complete Book of Necromancers]
School: Necromancy, Alteration
Level: 6
Rarity: Rare
Level: 6
Rarity: Rare
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 6
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: Negates
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 6
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: Negates
the freshly harvested fingernail of a corpse and a pinch of mandrake root
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