Tunes of the Dead
Tunes of the Dead is a spell to cause nightmares in the living and awaken the dead from their grave. Cast only by evil spellcasters & certain proscribed organisations it is generally outlawed to use.
Effect
The living that is affected by this gains 1d3 blevels of exhaustion until their next long rest. They have nightmares and other negative side effects not allowing healing of any kind until the next long rest.
Side/Secondary Effects
If asked, 1d6 skeletons and / or zombies can be raised carrying the same instruments to spread this in a direction of the caster's choosing allowing it to last for 1 hour somewhere else outside the 1 mile of the spell before crumpling to grave dust.
Manifestation
The spell enters the victims minds like a series of quick musical nightmares of the undead marching to musical tunes. This can be heard in the person's mind until the next long rest before fading. The victims cannot sleep or relax at all until it fades. Food & drink tastes off, and healing doesn't work as long as the tune can still be heard.
If the undead are called and sent forth then the same effect is spread to another 1 mile radius outside the primary casting region. The effects are the same.
Source
The spell draws it's power from the unfulfilled dreams & desires of the dead who were trying to perform one last time before succumbing to death. By using grave dust & an instrument it will attract & focus the power into the spell caster to carry out the casting necessary.
Discovery
Originally discovered in ancient unknown tombs in the western regions of central Africa it has spread over the centuries to other regions being smuggled along trade routes & hunting parties. Originally thought to be Yuan-Ti in origin, that can never be proven, unles sthe site it came from is rediscovered and examined. In central Africa it has become synonymous with the dark side of Voodoo practitioners and those that use it are reviled & either driven off or killed outright.
"Had someone do that spell once, and in Parisius. Caused a Hell of a panic. We had to hunt down who it was. Some necromancer working for the Necrocult, he was. Found out who they were, and on the rise again. Been keeping a number of agents around to make sure that doesn't happen again."
Count de Ath. Personal diary.
Related Organizations
Material Components
Grave dust and an ancient musical instrument that was being played while the user died. The grave dust connects the spell to the dead in a local area. The instrument to tie in the music to the dead.
Gestures & Ritual
The caster must place the grave dust in or on the musical instrument accordingly. They must speak a line that will open the minds of the dead, then play a tune on the said instrument facing all cardinal points of the compass. This has to be followed by blowing some of the grave dust upwards before stating that that they want the music of the dead to enter the minds of the living nearby. Finishing off, the caster can request for the dead (usually of the level of 1d6 skeletons / zombies) to rise from the grave and carry the tune to another area.
Related Discipline
Mages of the Dark Arts
Related School
Necromancy
Effect Duration
15 minutes
Effect Casting Time
1 hour
Range
1 mile radius from caster
Level
7
Applied Restriction
The initial spell must be done in a graveyard or burial ground betwee midnight and 4 am. Also, the grave dust must from the burial site, and centred on the caster.
In every society it is illegal to carry out such an evil necromantic spell. If caught the caster may suffer from mob justice if they are lucky. If caught by the authorities it can easily mean being tortured or burtned to death, or worse depending on the society.
A really nice and well-crafted spell - also for role-playing and not just for "rolling dice". That's why I also like the effects the spell can have on the caster when it's cast. I can also really imagine the horror for those affected. The article will appear in my Reading Challenge.
Thanks. It was a fun spell to create.