Wither (Priest Spell)

This spell enables a priest of Myrkul to duplicate the powers of a staff of withering. Once cast, the spell lasts for up to six rounds ot until a successful attack to touch a victim is made. The priest of Myrkul may take other actions once the spell is cast and need not concentrate to maintain it, though the effect of the spell can only be transmitted through the priest's hand or another limb, not a weapon.
A successful hit inflicts 1d4+1 points of damage, ages the victim by 10 years, and, if the victim fails a saving throw vs. spell, causes one of the creature's limbs to shrivel and become useless. Check by random number generation for which limb is struck. (For example, on humanoid creatures roll 1d4: l=right arm, 2=left arm, 3=right leg, 4=left leg.) The aging effect causes the victim's abilities and lifespan to be adjusted for the resulting age increase and can cause ability scores to drop or an elderly victim to die of old age.
All effects are permanent unless cured. Regenerate restores a withered limb to normal, and rest or curative magic cure the damage done, but only a limited wish, wish, or other magic specifically able to cure or abate aging can restore the victim's youth.
This spell has no effect on beings bearing holy symbols of Myrkul. Ageless creatures and noncorporeal beings (undead, elementals, tanar'ri, baatezu, and other powerful extraplanar beings) cannot be aged or withered.
Notes: Granted by the evil god Myrkul in the Forgotten Realms setting.
Category:Priest Spells
Category:Spells from Faiths & Avatars
Category:Spells