New Spell and Monster: Egregore

(This spell and associated monster description are published under the auspices of the OGL, and are designated as Open Game Content.)

Create Egregore

Level 4 Mage spell (evocation)
Requires: Incantation
Casting time: 1 hour per maximum level of spellcasters

This spell invokes an egregore – a mental construct agreed upon by the participants in the spell – which is given form and power by those who cast the spell in unison with a specified purpose. It requires a minimum of three spellcasters, all of whom have memorized the spell and who begin the casting at the same time, and can be cast by a maximum of seven. More and higher level spellcasters will result in a more powerful and longer-lasting egregore. It has no effect if less than three spellcasters cast it, even partially, and no mage can cast the spell while an egregore in whose creation he previously participated is still extant.

By combining their energies and concentration into a shared goal, the casters of this spell will bring into existence an egregore (see below). The exact form and purpose of the egregore must be agreed upon by all of the casters of the spell at the beginning of the casting – if even a single participant varies in his intentions for the egregore, the spell will fail. The purpose of the egregore must be clearly stated in no more than twenty words; like any construct, the egregore will follow the letter of its instructions, and it is entirely possible that a slight miswording could lead to disaster.

The cumulative levels of the three or more mages who cast the spell will determine the duration, hit dice, and damage caused by the egregore:

Cumulative Levels
Duration
Hit Dice
Damage
28-56
7 days
7d8
1d8
57-84
14 days
9d8
2d8
85-112
21 days
11d8
3d8
113-140
42 days
13d8
4d8
141+
84 days
15d8
5d8

If an additional mage of no less than 7th level casts a spell of 4th level or less during the time the other mages are creating the egregore, and does so with their permission, the egregore will be able to cast that spell once per day. Often, spells such as burning hands or wall of ice are used for this purpose.

It is rumored that there exist certain rare substances that can greatly extend the duration of an egregore, which result in their being encountered decades or even centuries after their last creator has died. No confirmation of these rumors exists, however.

The physical form of each egregore is completely open to the desires of the casters, and can range from as small as a dog to as large as an elephant. It can even be made to resemble a specific individual if that is the desire of the group of casters. (Specifying the physical form of the egregore does not count against the 20 word limit on its purpose.)

Egregore

Number
1
Morale
n/a
Hit Dice
See spell description
Armor Class
0
Move
90’/min.
Magic Resistance
A
No. of Attacks
1
Damage
See spell description
Defenses
Immune to physical weapons
Attacks
Telekinesis, possible spell
use
Weaknesses
None
Size
Varies
Intelligence
0
Alignment
Neutral
Treasure Type
None
Treasure Value
n/a
Magical Treasure
n/a
X.P. Value
Variable
General: Egregores are non-corporeal magical constructs
created by the spell egregore (see above). While they project a physical image,
they are in reality non-corporeal and are thus not hampered by physical
barriers of any sort. Solid lead or silver will stop them, however. A successful illusion check will reveal them to be insubstantial, but will not lessen any of the damage or other effects they can inflict.
Combat: The precise physical attack of the egregore will
depend on the physical form decided upon by the casters who created it. The
amount of damage will depend on the aggregate levels of the mages who cast the
spells that brought it into existence. In addition to its regular attack, it
can also use telekinesis up to 240’, and are able to move up to 700 pounds in
weight. Often, this is their favored attack form, as they will try to make
their actions look like accidents (stones falling from great heights, chains breaking at inopportune moments, etc.)
unless they are specifically instructed otherwise.
Appearance: The exact appearance of an egregore is dependent
on the desires of the mages who cast the spells which create it. It can be as
large as an elephant or as small as a dog. 

Written by 

Wargamer and RPG'er since the 1970's, author of Adventures Dark and Deep, Castle of the Mad Archmage, and other things, and proprietor of the Greyhawk Grognard blog.

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