Fool's Gold

Alteration [polymorph]

• • Level Magic-user 2

  • Components V, S, M

  • Casting Time 1 round

  • Range 10-ft.

  • Area of Effect 1 cubic foot per caster level

  • Duration 1 hour per caster level

  • Save Special

This spell temporarily changes copper or brass into gold.

Items to be turned into gold must fit in the area of effect. This would include a large number of loose copper coins (roughly 16,800 coins).

Saving Throw. Any creature that can handle the objects (by touch; as a complex activity per item) will receive a DC 10 Intelligence check with a -1 penalty per caster level of the fool's gold spell to detect the ruse (noticing flaws during testing).

Testing for Fool's Gold. Merchants and money changers use a common test to check for this spell. If an item under the effect of this spell is tapped with an object made from cold-wrought iron, it has a 30% chance (d%; 01-30) to reverse the spell. Each individual object can be tested in this manner once every 10 minutes. In addition, objects under the effect of this spell detect as magic.

The use of this spell with the intent to pass the material off as gold is typically considered illegal and normal merchants will refuse all future business (if not becoming immediately hostile).

Material Components. A citrine gem of at least 50 g.p. in value. The component is consumed in the casting of the spell. Cost/Scarcity. 50 g.p./Uncommon.

Known Substitutions. The use of a piece of amber (at least 100 g.p.) reduces the reversal due to cold iron by 5% (i.e. 25% to reverse), a topaz (at least 500 g.p.) by 20% (i.e. 10% to reverse), and an oriental topaz (at least 1,000 g.p.) by 29% (i.e. 1% to reverse).