Enlarge (spell)

Enlarge is a spell that allows the caster to expand or shrink the recipient and their carried equipment for the duration of the spell, adjusting both size and mass. A greatly enlarged creature can be exceptionally dangerous in open space, as the transformation enhances movement and weapon reach. However, due to an inherent limitation of the magic, the spell does not affect the recipient's hit points or action points (AP), though several other changes must be accounted for.

Enlarge

Range	5 ft. per level
Duration	5 rounds per level
Area of Effect	1 object or creature; see text
Casting Time	1 round
Saving Throw	negates; see text
Level	mage (1st)

The transformation occurs rapidly, taking place within approximately 10 seconds. The recipient must expend 4 AP or a complete round to accommodate the change. Apart from this, there are no ill effects. From the recipient's perspective, it will seem as though the world has shrunk around them. Once affected, the recipient's size and mass increase by up to 20% per level of the caster. While mass grows arithmetically, height expands geometrically.

For example, Danilo the 5th-level sorcerer casts enlarge on his companion Alric, increasing his mass by 100%. Alric, normally 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 180 lbs., now weighs 360 lbs. However, his height does not double. His body expands in three dimensions. To calculate Alric's new height, we take the cube root of 180 (5.65) and compare it with the cube root of 360 (7.14). We then divide 7.14 by 5.65 (1.26) and multiply that against his former height. This results in Alric standing 6 feet 11 inches tall. The cube root formula can be easily calculated with an abacus or logarithmic tables.

Damage by weight

Adj. Weight (lbs.)	as per normal weapon damage
	1-3	1-4	2-5	1-6	2-7	1-8	2-8	1-10	1-12
1	0-1	0-1	0-1	0-1	0-1	0-1	0-1	0-1	0-2
2	0-1	0-1	0-1	0-1	0-2	0-2	0-2	0-2	0-2
3-4	0-1	0-1	0-2	0-2	0-2	0-2	0-2	1-2	1-2
5-7	0-1	0-2	0-2	0-2	1-2	1-2	1-2	1-2	1-3
8-12	0-2	0-2	1-2	1-2	1-2	1-3	1-3	1-3	1-4
13-20	0-2	0-2	1-2	1-3	1-3	1-4	1-4	1-4	2-5
21-33	0-2	1-2	1-3	1-4	1-4	1-4	2-5	1-6	1-6
34-44	1-2	1-3	1-4	1-4	1-6	1-6	1-6	1-8	1-10
45-54	1-3	1-4	2-5	1-6	1-6	2-7	1-8	1-8	1-10
55-299	normal damage for all weapons
300-349	1-3	1-4	1-6	1-6	1-8	2-8	1-10	1-10	2-12
350-399	1-3	1-4	1-6	2-7	2-8	1-10	1-10	1-12	3-12
400-449	1-4	1-4	2-7	1-8	1-10	1-10	1-12	2-12	3-12
450-524	1-4	2-5	1-8	2-8	1-10	1-12	2-12	3-12	2-16
525-649	1-4	1-6	2-8	1-10	1-12	2-12	3-12	3-12	2-16
650-749	2-5	1-6	1-10	1-10	2-12	3-12	3-12	2-16	2-20
750-874	1-6	2-7	1-10	1-12	3-12	3-12	2-16	2-16	2-20
875-999	1-6	1-8	1-12	2-12	3-12	2-16	2-16	3-18	2-20
1000-1099	1-6	2-8	1-12	3-12	2-16	2-16	2-16	2-20	2-24
1100-1274	2-7	1-10	2-12	3-12	2-16	2-16	2-20	2-20	4-24
1275-1474	1-8	1-10	3-12	3-12	2-16	2-20	2-20	2-24	4-24
1475-1624	2-8	1-10	3-12	2-16	2-20	2-20	2-20	3-24	4-24
1625-1974	1-10	1-12	2-16	2-16	2-20	2-20	3-24	4-24	4-32
1975 or more	1-10	2-12	2-16	2-16	2-20	2-24	4-24	4-24	4-32

Physical Adjustments

Although the spell does not alter the recipient's AP, their increased height affects their stride. By using the cube root ratio, the number of hexes a character can cover per AP is adjusted. For example, Alric's stride increases by 126%. If his previous maximum speed was 6 hexes per AP, his new maximum is 7.5, rounded down to 7 hexes.

The recipient's increased mass also raises their encumbrance limit, despite the spell not enhancing strength or other ability stats. For example, Alric, with a strength of 15, could originally carry up to 225 lbs. before becoming immovable. After the spell increases his mass to 360 lbs., his carrying limit rises to 450 lbs. However, his equipment also enlarges. If he had previously been carrying 80 lbs. of gear, that same gear now weighs 160 lbs. The spell significantly increases carrying capacity, but this is counterbalanced by the increase in item weight.

Objects remain enlarged only while held or carried by the affected individual. If an object is put down or dropped, it immediately returns to normal size. For example, if Alric wished to carry more, he could remove his backpack and place it on the ground. The moment he does so, it would revert to its original dimensions and weight. He could then pick it up again, though he could not wear it as the pack wouldn't fit his enlarged body.

This restriction prevents attempts to gain unfair advantages with enlarged vials of oil, flasks of holy water, oversized coins or other such items. While the spell will temporarily enlarge a single gold coin or a vial of holy water, the liquid would revert to its original volume one it was poured out or flung at an enemy.

Combat

As with other carried objects, the recipient's weapons are enlarged by the spell. A more massive combatant wielding these weapons delivers greater damage in melee combat. For example, Alric's long sword that normally deals 1-8 hit points (h.p.) of damage now does 1-10 at his weight. Despite the weapon's greater mass, Alric's ability to wield it remains unchanged, allowing him to strike as swiftly and frequently as before.

However, the enlargement effect does not extend to fired or hurled weapons. A thrown hand axe would deal 2-7 damage while in Alric's grasp, but the moment it leaves his hand, it reverts to its normal size and deals only 1-6 h.p. Similarly, a fired arrow would shrink once released. For game purposes, the trajectory and potential to hit chance remain unaffected by this change.

If Alric were to fumble his long sword, it would instantly return to its normal size. Once reduced, it would not enlarge again when picked up, making it impractical in Alric's enlarged hands. In such a case, he would need to abandon the weapon in favour of another still in his possession — or resort to unarmed combat. His grappling, pummelling and overbearing abilities are likewise enhanced by his increased size.

Magic spells remain unaffected by the dweomer, even if the spellcaster is enlarged.

Reverse

The reverse of the spell, shrink, allows the caster to reduce the recipient's size and mass. This also affects all carried equipment, including weapons, stride and overall mass. As with Enlarge, the spell does not alter the recipient's hit points or action points (AP). The reduction process occurs in 20% increments per caster level, compounding upon itself.

For example, if the 6th-level mage Yuers casts shrink on Zephan, reducing his size to 80% of normal per iteration, the effect compounds across six increments. Starting from 250 lbs., Zephan's final weight is reduced to 65½ lbs. Using the cube root method, his new height is calculated to be 3 feet 10 inches. Despite this reduction, his long sword remains capable of dealing 1-8 damage, as his size is still comparable to that of short elves and large gnomes, whose melee weapon damage is not affected by their stature for game purposes.

Most ability stats remain unchanged. However, if the recipient's mass falls below 55 lbs., strength bonus is reduced. For example, if Yuers were 8th level, Zephan's weight would be reduced to 42 lbs. This is below the threshold where his physical strength remains fully effective. His new strength for combat purposes is determined by dividing his new weight by 55 and multiplying it by his original strength: 42/55 × 17 = 12.98.

For encumbrance calculations, Zephan's strength remains 17, meaning he can carry the same proportionate load relative to his weight. However, in combat, he loses his strength bonus when attacking.