Instruct (Priest Spell)

This spell fills the shukenja with great oratory ability, allowing the priest to explain the wonders of his or her religion to others. When cast, the shukenja sermonizes about the precepts of his or her ethos, attempting to sway or convert his listen­ers. For the duration of the spell casting, the shukenja is considered to have an 18 Charisma. Furthermore, the caster's words are inspired, pro­viding hope and faith to all who listen. Everyone in the area of effect must make a saving throw versus death. Those who successfully make the saving throw are unaffected by the spell; those who fail are affected. They understand the true meaning of the shukenja's words and become followers of his or her way. Their fervor is not violent or particularly strong (that is, they do not become warriors in the cause of the belief)- Rather, they decide to gain
more understanding and to make prayers and offerings to the shukenja's deity without disrupting their normal lives. However, those who roll a 1 on the saving throw are particularly moved by the sermon and offer special services or aid if needed. Such converts can become priests (if possible), provide land for a shrine, help construct a temple, and so on Those converted remain followers unless they suffer great misfortune or mistreatment or the ethos (and its priests) abandon the area.
When using this spell before a large crowd, rolling individual saving throws can become quite tedious. Therefore, the saving throw can be used as a percentage of the listeners affected. First, determine the average saving throw of the crowd based on the levels or Hit Dice of those listening. This saving throw is then calculated as a percentage, with 1 point of saving throw equal to 5 percentage points. Thus, a saving throw of 16 would indicate that 25% of the crowd is unmoved by the spell, while the remaining 75% decide to adopt the shukenja's beliefs. In addition, 5% of those listening are particularly moved as noted above. To give an example, say that the shukenja instructs a crowd of 87 humans, all 0 level. The average saving throw is 16. of those in the crowd, 65 are moved by the speech (round all fractions down) and 4 of the 65 are fervent in their belief. The DM may wish to keep track of the number of converted NPCs compared to the total population of the village (or what
ever), especially if the characters are remaining in the same area for an extended period of time. Once an individual has made a saving throw against this spell, that individual is immune to the effects of the spell if used by the same shukenja.
The creature has heard the shukenja and is unmoved by the words.
Notes: Common for oriental priests; otherwise, very rare.
Category:Priest Spells
Category:Spells from Priest's Spell Compendium
Category:Spells