Undead's Lineage (Wizard Spell)

With this spell, the caster can divine the history of a single undead creature, thereby gaining great power over that creature. During preparation, the caster must spend at least eight hours per day studying necromancy and tomes about undeath. (The caster must procure such materials before beginning the preparation time.) Adventures that focus on the undead may be included as part of the preparation time, if the DM desires. The wizard must make a successful attack roll when the spell is cast. Once the spell is cast, the undead creature is allowed a saving throw vs. spell at a -3 penalty. Failure means the caster immediately knows the personal history of the creature as well as does the creature itself. This might include (but is not limited to): family history and occupation during life; circumstances of death; circumstances of undeath; and history since attaining undeath. This intimate knowledge gives the caster complete control over the undead creature. The undead performs any task ordered. The details learned may lead to some knowledge or old or ancient events, at the DM's option. Extremely powerful undead, such as liches and some vampires, may receive another chance to save each week or even after each task, if the DM so decides.
The spell lasts until one of the following events occurs: The undead creature is permanently de­stroyed; the caster is made to forget (even tem­porarily) the things he has learned; a wizard of higher-level casts this spell on the same undead creature (thus, stealing control); or the caster volun­tarily ends the spell.
While the caster learns much about the undead, the undead learns much about the caster. If the caster dies with an undead creature under this spell, then the caster immediately becomes a weaker undead under the creature's control. Mindless undead such as skeletons or zombies exert no con­trol; the caster becomes a mindless undead of their type. A wizard who becomes undead in this manner cannot be revived by known magic.
The material components of this spell are an eye, ear, nose, tongue, and finger, each taken from a separate undead creature of the same type as the target creature.
Notes: Restricted to preservers and defilers, common.
Category:Psionic Enchancements
Category:Wizard Spells
Category:Psionic Enchancements from Dragon Kings
Category:Spells from Dragon Kings
Category:Spells from Wizard's Spell Compendium
Category:Spells