Tongue Parasite
(Conjuration/Summoning)
Level: 4
Range: 30 yds.
Components: V, M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 4
Area of Effect: One creature
Saving Throw: Neg.
This spell infests a target creature with a parasite that initially attacks the tongue. This spell is ineffective against creatures that do not possess tongues or analogs thereof.
The infestation takes the form on the surface of the target’s tongue. The bumps are initially benign and remain so if the target ceases to speak immediately. For every word the target speaks after the spell has been cast, the bump swells and pops, inflicting 1 hit point of damage on the target releasing a winged insect (similar in appearance to a horse fly) that thereafter flies annoyingly (but silently) around its "parent" until swatted. What’s worse, each word spoken by the target causes 1d4 new parasites to be born, each taking the form of a small bump. Needless to say, en entire sentence by the target could be quite painful, while a short speech is potentially lethal.
Victims of tongue parasite who decide willingly to forgo speech for a complete 24 hours “starve” the parasites; the swelling subsides to nothing, and the spell finally expires. Victims can choose to stay mute at any time after they are affected by this spell, but even a single groan necessitates another full 24 hours of silence. Dispel magic spells are ineffective against this spell; however, cure disease causes the swellings to subside and the spell to lapse immediately.
The material components for this spell are a living housefly and a muzzle of any sort.
Notes: Found in the codex of silence; very rare spell.
