Pentagram

Pentagram is a meta-spell that produces a magical barrier that blocks hostile spells and magical creatures from passing into (or out of) it.
Magical creatures (demons, golems, summoned creations, zombies, elementals, and so on). Nonmagical creatures (including most mages) can freely pass the pentagram, but cannot cast spells across its border. Some holy relics have effects similar to Pentagram while held by a cleric.Magic Items 2, p.75
Spells of transport (e.g. Flight, Teleport) cannot be used to enter a pentagram ("for hostile purposes").
== Prerequisites ==
* Wizardly: Spell ShieldMagic, p.124-125DFRPG: Adventurers, p.52
* Clerical: Power Investiture 5DFRPG: Adventurers, p.6
== Used for Summoning ==
As one might expect, Pentagram is excellent for avoiding danger from summoned demons, hostile spells, or chain-email curses from the early 2000s. See any of these spells:
* Summon Demon
* Summon Elemental
* Summon Shade
* Summon Spirit
* Zombie Summoning
== Countered by Bashing Through ==
Mundane creatures can damage a pentagram as if it's mundane as well--chalk pentagrams are vulnerable to scuffs! Magical creatures however, can only force their way through a pentagram using (ST+Will)/2the average of their Strength and Will, round down versus the skill with which the pentagram was cast. If they get through, it destroys the pentagram. If not, the attempt fails, and that creature may not attempt another escape until the next day.
== Improving with More Energy ==
Pentagram is one of the few spell where it is stated the skill of the spell can be raised by using more energy. Also even though it is not an enchantment spell, the Slow and Sure Enchantment method can be used to create one.
== Mage Culture ==
The Pentagram spell is a fairly standard way for mages to protect themselves (or their towers, cottages, etc.). As such, it's likely to be taught in any "mage college" regardless of spell type.
== Items with Pentagram ==
* Pentagram Disk -- This is a saucer-sized, dark metal disk. It works as a "portable pentagram" --when activated (presumably by a secret name, or simply one written on the underside), it expands into a large 3x3 yard pentagram, which is as immobile as one would expect. This can be useful for "frontier mage towers"!Inspired by Pentagram Disk from Magic Items 1, p.65
* Portable Pentagram -- Ten stakes connected by gilded thread. When deployed, this can form a small, yard-sized pentagram, which emits a soft, golden light (which also lets the mage know it's working). It's easily disrupted by accident (such as tripping over the thread), but it's just as strong as any pentagram spell, and a lot easier to set up in the field, especially on soft ground.Inspired by Portable Pentagram from Magic Items 2, p.122
== As a Prerequisite ==
* Pentagram is used as a defense to summons, but is not technically a prerequisite for them
* Pentagram is a prerequisite for Raise Cone of Power, a ritual spell that helps gather immense energy through ceremony.Thaumatology, p.52
==See Also==
*Affected by Pentagram
*Affected by True Faith and Pentagram
*Affected by Control Zombie, Pentagram, and Turn Zombie
*Affected by Astral Block, Banish, Pentagram, Repel Spirits, and Turn Spirit
== References ==
* Magic p.124
Category:Spells
Category:Meta-Spell College