New Spell: Krenshar's Spite

[Xagunder MacFaileas]

KRENSHAR’S SPITE
School necromancy [curse, emotion, fear]; Level antipaladin 2, druid 4, ranger 3, shaman 4, sorcerer/wizard 3, witch 3
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range touch
Target creature touched
Duration permanent
Saving Throw Fort negates; Spell Resistance yes

You strike the target’s head, causing the skin to tear back back from its face, revealing the musculature and bony structures of its skull. This deals 3d6 points of damage to the target and causes any of the target’s allies within 30 feet to become shaken for 1 round unless they succeed on a Will save with a DC equal to the saving throw required by the original casting of krenshar’s spite.

Even after the initial damage from this spell is healed, until the curse is lifted any time the target attempts a Bluff check to convince someone that what it is saying is true or Diplomacy check to change someone’s attitude towards it, its skin again pulls back in a shocking fashion. This secondary skull-reveal does not cause any additional damage to the target, but does force the target to make an Intimidate check instead of the desired Bluff or Diplomacy, with all the social repercussions that entails.

[Orthos]

1. Should probably specify how long the skin-peeling lasts until the victim's face goes back to normal.

2. Not exactly sure why this needs to be a 4th level spell for divine casters.

[Xagunder MacFaileas]

Should it peal back just for 1 round, or is there any compelling reason it should be longer?

As for the higher level for divine casters, that was really only a flavor thing.

[Orthos]

That seems fine. Just should probably specify it in the description is all. =)

Just seems underwhelming compared to other spells available at that level. 4th level druid spells also include Greater Aggressive Thundercloud (6d6 damage per round for level rounds, plus stun), Ice Storm (5d6 damage plus lots of fun environmental effects), Volcanic Storm (again 5d6 damage with extra effects), and others similar.

3rd level seems exactly right IMO - compare spells at that level: Air Geyser (2d6 damage and bull rushes enemies into ceilings/plus fall damage), Call Lightning (3d6 damage per bolt), Ice Spears (4d6 damage plus knocked prone), and so forth.

[Xagunder MacFaileas]

Sounds reasonable; consider it 3rd level for druid & shaman too.