L^: mu5	-	R#: 1"	-	D^: S
C^: v	-	CT: 5s	-	S^: S
A^: One or more creatures  in a 1" radius	-	-	-	-

Effect: By means of this spell, the MU
causes a combination of [fascination], [confusion], and rage upon one or <l>
more creatures able to understand the language in which the spell
caster speaks.

Upon casting the spell, the MU begins discussion
of some topic germane to the creature or creatures to be affected.
Those not saving versus spell will immediately begin to
converse with the spell caster, agreeing or disagreeing, all most
politely. As long as the spell caster chooses, he or she can maintain the
spell by conversing with the subject(s). As long as there is no attack
made upon them, they will ignore all else going on around them, instead
"choosing" to spend their time exclusively talking and arguing.
<>

This save, and all saving throws in this spell, is modified by the target's [intelligence] as follows:
    Creatures with INT of 2 or lower are not affected by the spell,
    but those with INT of 3-7 save at -1.
    Beings with INT of 8-10 save normally,
    those with INT of 11-14 at +1,
    and those with INT scores of 15 or higher at +2.

If the spell is maintained for more than 3 rounds, each subject creature
must attempt another save versus spell. Those failing to save this
time will wander off in [confusion] for 3-12 rounds, avoiding the proximity
of the spell caster in any event. Those who make the confusion save are
still kept in [fascination] and must also save in the 4th, 5th, and
6th rounds (or for as long as the caster continues the dweomer) to
avoid the confusion effect. If the spell is maintained for more than 6
rounds, each subject must save versus spell to avoid going into a rage --
either at oneself, if one is the sole subject of the spell, or at all other
subjects of the spell -- and attack suicidally (regular "to hit" probability)
against one's own person, or falling upon the nearest other subject of
the dweomer with intent to kill. This rage will last for 2-5 rounds. Those
subjects who save versus spell on the rage check will realize that they
have fallen prey to the spell and will collapse onto the ground,
lamenting their foolishness, for 1-4 rounds unless they are attacked or otherwise
disturbed.

If during the course of the maintenance of the spell the caster is attacked
or otherwise distracted, he or she is still protected, for the subject
or subject will not notice. The MU can leave at any time
after the casting and the subjects(s) will continue on for 1 full round as
if he or she were still there to converse with. In these cases, however,
saving throws for continuance of the spell are not applicable, even if,
for instance, the subject(s) would otherwise have had to save to avoid
confusion or rage. Note that the spell is entirely verbal.
 

James: 7. You once had a long-running series of columns in Dragon entitled "Leomund's Tiny Hut," many of whose articles were highly regarded and much loved.
How did that column start and what was its intended focus?

Len: I think it was Tim Kask who approached me to write a regular column for The Dragon, but I'm not 100% certain it was he. In any case, I had already been published in The Dragon by this time, issue 1 and issue 3, which included “Notes on Women & Magic.” I wrote the majority of the "Leomund" spells and they were edited by Gary and appeared in AD&D. I did not create “Leomund's Endless Belaborment,” however. (They paid by the word, so of course I added some detail. Ahem)

- Grognardia