Speak with Dead

Necromantic [language-dependent, sonic]

• • Level Cleric 3

  • Components V, S, M (DF)

  • Casting Time 10 rounds

  • Range 0

  • Area of Effect One dead creature in a 10-ft. radius

  • Duration See description (C)

  • Save None

The spell caster can question a deceased creature's spirit or soul by speaking to it's remains.

• The caster casts the spell and selects one dead creature's remains in range as the target.

• "Remains" is defined as at least a portion of the original creature (this includes ashes); i.e. More that a tuft of hair or some blood.

• The attributes of the spell, such as recency of death requirement, the number of questions and total time allotted to ask them and listen to answers are a function of the caster's level:

Caster Level   Time Since Death   Number of Questions   Total Time Duration

  1st to 6th            1 week              2                     1 minute

  7th to 8th            1 month             3                     3 minutes

 9th to 12th            1 year              4                    10 minutes

13th to 15th           10 years             5                    20 minutes

16th to 20th          100 years             6                    30 minutes

  Above 20th        1,000 years             7                     1 hour

Speaking with Dead Creatures

• No multi-part questions are allowable (these count as multiple questions). Questions must be direct and clear.

• In general, dead creatures do not appreciate being questioned by the living.

• The creature’s knowledge is limited to what it knew during life, including the languages it spoke.

• The creature can only speak about what it knew in life. It cannot answer any questions that pertain to events that occurred after its death.

• Questions that are determined by the GM to be unclear are answered with an "I do not understand." and that question is lost.

• While the creature cannot lie, it can be evasive and can refuse to answer non-yes/no questions directly.

• The level of evasiveness depends on the situation: 

— If the caster is recognized as one that assisted in the killing of the creature, it will be almost impossible to get any useful information. 

— If the caster is unknown but perceived as an enemy (due to race, or a recognized holy/unholy symbol, etc.), questions will be evasive.

— If no reason for hostility or good will is evident, the creature will answer based on it's original personality (i.e. Was it helpful in life? Or was it back biting and hateful? etc.).

— A spell caster can use one question to attain rapport, which grants an encounter reaction check to sway the dead's creature's nominal attitude.

— Subjects that the creature would deem sensitive, such as secret phrases, passwords, command words or the like could be difficult to obtain depending on the attitude of the creature being questioned.

Limitations

• If cast an an undead creature, the spell fails (although the corporeal remains of a destroyed undead creature is simply "remains", as per above).

• If the corpse has been subject to speak with dead within the past 30 days, the new spell fails.

• Some creatures may ramble, chewing up time, if the total time available ends before any question is asked or answer given, the spell ends, cut off prematurely. Total time begins right as the spell casting time completes.

Material Components. The cleric's holy/unholy symbol and the component is burning incense. The component is consumed in the casting of the spell. Burning incense obviously requires some access to open flame. Cost/Scarcity. 1 g.p./Uncommon.

Known Additions/Substitutions. None.