Level: 5
Range: Touch
Duration: 1 round/level of caster
Area of Effect: One creature
Components: V,S,M
Casting Time: 6 segments
Saving Throw: Neg.

When a
magic-user casts this spell, a silvery-grey
radiance is produced about the
material component.

If the component
(a bone or small animal skeleton) is
touched to a target creature--successful
hit roll required, as though wielding
a dagger or club--the radiance leaves
the component (which vanishes harmlessly)
and expands to envelop the TARGET
in an aura , or mantle .

T h i s
shimmering radiance takes effect on
the round following the touch, and lasts
for 1 round per experience level of the
caster.

While it is in effect, curative
spells, healing, and regeneration of natural
or magical nature will not be effective
within the confines of the mantle;
thus, a troll could not regenerate, a ring
of regeneration would not operate, a
potion of healing or extra-healing
would have no effect, and so forth.
The mantle may be magically dispelled,
and will fade away without effect if
magic resistance or a saving throw
(only one allowed) triumphs over it. At
the expiration of the spell, curative
forces still active will take effect
immediately--but any such powers that
were expended upon the victim while
the mantle was in effect are forever
lost. A cure wounds or heal spell, for
instance, will take effect upon the recipient
if the mantle expires before the victim
does; similarly, a ring of
regeneration will resume functioning
properly when the mantle disappears,
and a creature that regenerates will
retain the ability to do so. However, the
victim of the mantle will get no benefit
from a potion of healing drunk while
the spell is in effect, and any usage of a
staff of curing on the victim is fruitless,
since those types of magic must take
effect upon their application or not take
effect at all. In such a case, the application
of the magic (dose, charge, etc.) is
wasted.

If the caster does not successfully
touch a target creature in the round of
casting or the round immediately following,
the mantle spreads from the
component into (and onto) the spellcaster,
and remains in effect upon the caster
for the full duration. There is no
saving throw against this "backfire," but
a dispel magic spell may be successfully
employed by the caster or a companion
to bring the bad effect to a halt.
Once the spell is cast and the mantle
has covered a target, the duration and
effects of the mantle are not under the
caster's control. Creatures of any size
may be affected.

Note that use of the
mantle is not basically a good act, and
the spell must be used with due consideration
of the circumstances and nature
of the target by magic-users of good
alignment.
 
 

The Tome of the Covenant

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Books of the Forgotten Realms