Level: 6
Range: 2"
Components: V,S,M
Casting Time: 6 segments
Duration: Special
Saving Throw: Neg.
Area of Effect: Special

By means of
this spell, a magic-user brings into
being a shimmering, scimitar-shaped
blade of force.

This scimitar appears in
the air directly above a TARGET creature,
hanging point downwards some two
feet above the head (or uppermost
point) of the target creature. Invisible to
all but the caster and those employing
detect magic, the scimitar has no physical
existence, and cannot be attacked,
magically repulsed or dispelled, or left
behind by teleportation or travel to other
planes. It will fall (upon the target
creature only, regardless of physical or
magical barriers) upon the fulfillment
of a single condition set verbally during
casting of the scimitar, doing one point
of damage per level of the caster of the
scimitar The unwitting target creature
is allowed a saving throw at this time
(versus spell) and if successful, the scimitar
dissipates harmlessly into nothingness,
a n d t h e s p e l l i s w a s t e d .

Otherwise, it plummets downwards in
1 segment, vanishing upon contact with
the target’s body, dealing its damage in
a convulsion of wracking pain that
momentarily affects movement,
speech, spellcasting, and even
posture—victims of a scimitar often fall,
writhing, to the ground.

Typical conditions
include the target creature uttering
a certain name or word, or
commencing spellcasting, or drawing a
weapon, or going to sleep. The condition
cannot be tied to a specific time or
location (i.e. it can be “entering a room”,
but cannot be “entering a particular
room only”), and in some cases many
years have passed between the casting
of a scimitar and its striking.

A limited
wish, wish, alter reality, or similar very
powerful magic can destroy the
scimitar—unless, of course, the casting
of such a magic is the condition which
will cause the scimitar to fall.

MC: A miniature
scimitar carved of rock crystal,
clear diamond, or clear sapphire (of a
value of not less than 300 gp; miniatures
of the latter two substances may
cost ten times that).
 
 
 

The Book of Bats

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Books of the Forgotten Realms