Contact Other Plane

Divination [augury]

• • Level Magic-user 5

  • Components V

  • Casting Time 10 rounds

  • Range Self

  • Area of Effect The caster

  • Duration 1 round per 2 caster levels (C)

  • Save nil

The caster beseeches an extra-planar entity to answer a few simple questions.

• Prior to casting, the caster must name the exact Plane or extra-planar being they are attempting to communicate with.

• If a being is not named, the exact being that is queried on the selected Plane is selected (or determined randomly) by the GM.

• While a being's true name is not required, it is possible that a different being may respond, impersonating the desired being. The GM will decide, taking into account the alignment of all involved, and the amount of knowledge the caster has about the being in question (perhaps using the likelihood of a false response as a base chance).

• In any case, a being from the Plane (and layer) will always respond.

• Once the first question is asked, the GM will check to see if the caster becomes insane. Only one insanity check per casting is made. If the caster becomes insane, they will lose concentration and the spell ends. Based on the type of insanity, the caster may believe they can still communicate with the contacted being.

• Plane Contacted. When contacting an Outer Plane, "each removed" refers to how many layers past the plane's entry layer the being resides or the caster selects. For example, Hell has nine layers and contacting a being on the 5th will add 4 layers to the Entry layer base values (+20%, -12%, and +20% respectively). See also Planes of Existence.

• Base Chance of Suffering Insanity. This is the base chance of the caster being immediately inflicted with insanity once the first question is asked. This chance is adjusted downwards by 5% per point of Intelligence of the caster above 15 (ie. An 18 Intelligence subtracts 15%). The specific insanity type will be determined randomly by the GM and strikes the caster before any answer is given. The caster will be inflicted with the insanity for 1 week if a transitive plane was selected or for 2 weeks plus 1 week for each layer removed for another type of plane (to a maximum of 10 weeks). Once insane, the caster has a percent chance equal to the number of weeks indicated to die before recovery. A remove curse spell targeting the caster can eliminate the chance of death. A heal or restoration spell will cure the caster of insanity.

Question/Answer

• A communication channel is created whereby the caster can query the extra-planar being. The caster is allowed to ask one question for each round of duration of the spell. Only one question can be posed per round. Questions will be answered "Yes", "No", "Perhaps", "Never", "Does not Apply", "Unknown", or the like.

• Assuming the caster does not become insane, the caster can continue asking questions for the duration of the spell.

• Once each question is asked, the GM will check for knowledge and veracity of the being's response.

• In special cases, the GM may adjust the base chance of the being knowing an answer. For example, a Demon Prince will know everything there is to know about their personal weapon. Due to the nature of elemental spirits, if an elemental being is queried about something pertaining to its own plane, it will have a +30% chance to know the answer to the question.

• Falsehoods will typically be believable based on the Intelligence Rating of the being contacted. If unknown, and the answer is determined to be false, the being will fabricate a response.

Limitations

• Attempting to contact an imprisoned being or one that is (materially) destroyed, will cause the spell to fail.