Level: 8
Range: 0
Duration: Special
A of Effect: Sphere about caster, of 1" radius per level
Components: V,S,M
Casting Time: 1 turn
Saving Throw: None

This rare
and powerful magic does not come into
operation until another spell is cast
within its area of effect.

When that
occurs, a huge, shining wheel or vertical disc of glowing white light will
instantly appear (some inches above
any ground or floor that was there at
the time of casting, or is there at the
time of activation) where the caster
stood while casting the engine (even if
that spellcasting occurred centuries
before). It will begin to turn, with a gentle
rushing noise, and will absorb the
energy of all spells cast within its area
of effect--so that they are wasted and
do not work, but serve instead to
power the turning wheel. The wheel
does nothing except turn, light up an
area, and benefit magic-user and illusionists
with a curious side-effect:

Its
sound and energies and magical concentration,
and spell memorizing times
for spellcasters who study within its
area of effect are halved. Once activated,
an engine will not disappear until
dispelled; if starved for magical energy,
it will merely turn more and more slowly,
and gradually grow dim, until it
hangs motionless, translucent and
ghostly.

A spell engine cannot be dispelled by
dispel magic (which it will absorb), nor
affected by normal weapons (which
pass through it as though it does not
exist). A wish, limited wish, or alter
reality spell, properly worded, will
destroy it, as will contact with any magical
item or artifact--which causes a
magical explosion doing 1-20 points of
damage to all within 1-- (1-8 to those
from 1" + to 2" away), and destroys a
magical item; an artifact must make a
saving throw. If such an artifact is not
destroyed, there is a 75% chance that it
will be shifted (with or without any
creature wielding it) into another plane
of existence.

Magic mouths, glyphs, symbols, and
protective circles or other runic magics
will not be affected by a spell engine;
thus, a doorway can be guarded by a
symbol, and a spell engine cast in front
of the doorway will prevent the symbol
from being dispelled. Detect magic will
reveal the presence and shape of an
unactivated spell engine; the wheel is
typically 12' in diameter and 2' thick,
standing upright on edge, although it
will grow marginally larger if charged
by many spells and the surroundings
permit such growth (its area of effect
remaining unchanged). It is often cast
in a narrow passageway before a door.

Until activated, the wheel of a spell
engine has no physical existence and
cannot be touched. A disintegrate spell
will have no effect on an unactivated
spell engine, but it will destroy an activated
spell engine, with an explosion
identical in effect to that caused by contact
between a spell engine and a magical
item or artifact. Note that a spell
engine's area of effect extends through
rock and void alike in a perfect sphere;
it cannot be easily avoided by use of a
passwall, dig, or phase door. Living
creatures not possessing magical items
can pass through the area of effect of
an active spell engine without effect; it
does not "drain" spells from minds.

Inactive spell engines cannot be contacted
by a living creature, magical
item, or artifact, and thus cannot be so
activated; nor will the presence of a
functioning spell, psionic effect, or
magical item function activate a spell
engine--it is only the actual casting of a
spell that activates the engine.

MC: A small disc of fine, polished ivory, bone, shell, or marble;
a drop of water or one of the caster's tears; and
a gem (any type) of at least 1,000 gp value.
 
 

Sabirine's Specular

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Books of the Forgotten Realms