Arm of Death
(Alteration, Necromancy)
Level: 6
Range: 0
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 6 rds.
Casting Time: 6
Area of Effect: The caster's arm
Saving Throw: None
Also known as Death's arm, this spell transforms the bones of one of the caster's arms into a black, serrated scythe blade. With his arm as the weapon, the caster can attack with it as if he were a fighter of the same level. Although made of the caster's bones, the blade is unbreakable and can hit any creature that can be hit by magical weapons. The blade causes 2d6 points of damage to all who touch it (thus it can slice a rope cleanly through with the merest touch), and bonus damage due to Strength is also added when used in combat situations. On a natural roll of 20, it severs the opponents head, unless the victim makes a saving throw vs. Death Magic. If the save is successful, the victim instead suffers maximum damage.
(Note that this damage is augmented by Lorarlao's Paragon abilities of increased damage (gaining +2 die of damage and +3 per die), as the weapon is his own arm. Thus Lorarlao's arm of death created scythe blade inflicts 4d6+12 points of damage to all who touch it, and 4d6+26 when he wields it in combat situations!)
On any natural roll of 17 or higher, the caster regains half of the damage done to his opponent as healing magic (as vampiric touch, but this effect works on all creatures, even undead without any harmful effects to the caster). When in effect the caster cannot cast other spells, but can cause the magic to end instantly before the duration expires (the caster can end the magic after attacking, and still be able to cast a spell on the following round).
The material component of arm of death is the caster's arm and a bone shard from someone killed by a vorpal weapon.
Notes: Uncommon for Necromancers of the RAVENLOFT setting, rare for other Necromancers; otherwise very rare. Known by the elven vampire Lorarlao.
