Symbol, Fear (wizard)

Symbol of Fear is a level 8 Wizard's spell included in all Baldur's Gate game versions. It isn't readily available to any party members in Baldur's Gate but can be encountered by the party from potential use by the Demon Knight at Durlag's Tower dungeon. 
It has player availability and is used by enemies in Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition.
==Gameplay==
The caster selects a point on the map to which the spell will launch toward using the targeting cursor.
Upon designating the point, and completing the spell casting, a projectile speeds to the spot, and forms a small pinkish colored glowing disc symbol, that appears to hover there.
Despite the spell describing some kind of inscription on the ground or other source, that doesn't occur, and the spell actually places a glyph on the area map.
The symbol remains at that spot until it is triggered by any creature that is near enough to it, about 15 feet is close enough.
When triggered, the symbol bursts in a pinkish colored radius, and all within that area are exposed to the spell, including the caster.
All creatures in the spell's triggered area of effect are exposed to a Panic status effect. A Saving throw versus Spell with a -4 penalty will negate this. 
A creature affected by the spell will have a brief lighting effect play over their sprite, and their allegiance marker circle will probably turn yellow. This panic effect lasts until the spell expires, or the effect is removed.
An audible sound effect will also initiate. Another one sounds when an affected creature's panic effect expires.
A party character affected by this spell will show an icon (No. 36) labelled "Panic" on their portrait while the spell effects are active.
This spell can potentially be blocked by Magic resistance and completely negated by Spell Immunity: Conjuration. It can be cured by Remove Fear and is subject to Dispel Magic effects.
Creatures immune or protected from fear/horror/panic are unaffected by this spell.
==Notes==
One would think this spell would be viewed as a "hostile" one. However, all the "symbol" spells are not flagged as such, and do not trigger a reaction from the creature whether affected or not, nor any other creatures in the vicinity. 
Use of all the symbol spells is common in the game from hostile arcane spell casters with the ability to use 8th level spells. Expect to be faced with these in battle.
==Where to obtain its scroll==
=== Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn ===
* Random treasure, 3rd-level scroll
===Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal===
*Arcana Archives
==Trivia==
All of the "Symbol" spells used in the BG video game are based upon the 8th-level Wizard spell Symbol, or the Priest version which is a 7th-level spell. In the AD&D 2nd Edition ruleset, there are several symbols that can be selected and produced by the caster (choose from up to 9 types of symbols). Additionally, there are rules given in the Player's Handbook, and additional clarification and rules from the Wizard's Spell Compendium references. The BG game's version of this spell is basically broken down into individual symbols, and several symbols are omitted from the game. And as is usual, the symbols behave differently between the Pen and Paper vs. the video games. For further reading see the external link.
==Gallery==
OG Symbol F 1.png|A Symbol, Fear is cast so as to expose Captain Dennis and his four Mercenary of Riatavin allies in the spell's AoE. Four out of five missed their saving throw, and those victims are panicked and turned "yeller".
==Mod Content==
Spell Revisions mod has replaced Symbol, Fear with the spell described below:
Symbol of Weakness
Level: 8
School: Conjuration
Range: Long
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 1 round
Area of Effect: 20’ radius
Saving Throw: Spell negates
Symbol of Weakness is a powerful enchantment that allows the caster to inscribe a symbol on the ground or any other surface. The symbol will remain there until a hostile creature comes within 15 feet of the glyph, at which point it is triggered and explodes, causing all enemies within a 20-foot radius to make a saving throw vs. spell at -4 or suffer a -4 penalty to strength, dexterity, and constitution. The spell effects will persist until the character receives a Cure Disease spell.
==External Links==
*
* Advanced D&D 2nd Edition Wiki - Symbol (Wizard Spell)
Category:Random treasure