Curse of the Flesh Eaters — Old Empire
(Conjuration/Summoning)
Level: 5
Range: 50 yds. + 10 yds./level
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 1 rd./level
Casting Time: 5
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: Special
This spell summons a horde of black scarab beetles to attack and consume his enemies; the black scarabs never attack the caster. These beetles attack any fleshy creature and cause 2 points of damage per level of the caster for every round that they are in contact with the victim’s flesh. These beetles tear through any nonmetal armor or skin in mere seconds; although those creatures that can only be harmed by magical weapons are immune to their natural attacks.
The black scarabs can suffer up to triple the damage the caster can take at full health before they are all destroyed. The damage inflicted by these beetles is reflected by their numbers, decreasing by one full point for every 10% of their number that are slain. They can detect all creatures within a 120’ radius and also possess infravision out to that same distance. Furthermore, they cannot be fooled by illusions and/or spells that inhibit or cancel visual perceptions.
As created by this spell, the beetles take the form of a unit of deadly insects that has the dimensions of a “carpet” that is 30-feet long and 20-feet wide; although this may change depending of the terrain and limitations of their current environment. The deadly bugs move at a movement rate of 9 and never tire, and they can also move over any surface, much as do other beetles and their relatives, spiders.
They set out at full movement rate at the beginning of the round after which this spell is cast. They move first every round thereafter and continue to chase down all creatures in their path. Thus if a being can get away from the mass of insects while there are still others to be chased, then they may escape as they continue on in the easiest path before them. Once they kill and devour the skin of all within their path, they then change course and move towards the closest living creatures they can detect.
Furthermore, these cursed insects ignore all undead, as they eat living flesh and as flesh eaters they are akin to the walking dead.
The material component for this spell is a dead scarab beetle skeleton that has been removed from a sarcophagus that contained or contains a mummy!
Notes: Rare spell. As a FORGOTTEN REALMS Old Empire spell, initial exposure requires a mentor or a read Southern magic spell.
