Obedience (Wizard Spell)

This spell allows the wu jen to force any crea­ture, other than spirits or undead, to totally obey the caster's will. Although the spell can be cast on unintelligent creatures, it does not have a useful effect unless the creature can understand the speech of the wu jen. A circlet of gold placed on the head of the creature once the spell is cast. The wu jen must touch the creature to cast the spell and the creature is allowed a saving throw vs. spell to avoid the effect. If the saving throw is failed, the creature is af­fected. The circlet cannot be removed except by the caster until a successful saving throw is made, nor does it fall off of its own accord. Once the circlet is in place, there is no limit to the range of the spell. The caster can be hun­dreds of miles away and still maintain his hold over the creature.
The spell creates no change in the creature's will or its personality. It can refuse to obey orders or attempt to harm the wu jen. However, the wu jen, by uttering a few mystical words, can cause wracking pains in the affected crea­ture. These pains are so intense that the creature cannot do anything, barely able to breathe or talk.
By chanting these words over and over, the wu jen can sustain the pain until the creature re­lents and obeys. For every round the pain is maintained, the creature suffers 1d10 points of damage (the caster can always stop the spell short of death).
Each day the creature is under the spell it is allowed a new saving throw vs. spell to escape the effect, but such saving throws are made with a -4 penalty. The caster can easily remove the circlet, breaking the spell. A dispel magic, lim­ited wish, or wish spell also can be used to remove the circlet.
Finally, there is the smallest chance that a merciful deity will, upon seeing the sufferings of the creature, lift the spell. The DM must decide if this occurs (generally no more common than a 1% chance). The deities often view this spell as a means of punishing and cor­recting evil creatures.
The spell requires a golden circlet worth at least 1,000 gp, which can be reused.
Notes: Common in oriental settings; other­wise very rare.
Category:Wizard Spells
Category:Spells from Wizard's Spell Compendium
Category:Spells