Holy Word (spell)

Holy word articulates an evocation of enormous power, capable of blasting the caster's enemies with the divine force of the spoken utterance. The exact word spoken is left to the imagination of the character; it may be designated as a specific word or selection of words, or may be considered to be something so powerful that the memory of every listener is effaced by the word's power. Perhaps the character knows the word, and is fearful to speak it aloud when not casting the spell.

Holy Word

Range	self
Duration	see below
Area of Effect	30 ft. radius
Casting Time	2 rounds
Saving Throw	negates; see below
Level	cleric (7th)

The holy word can affect the believer and non-believer alike, though the force of the spell can be selective against the caster's enemies. Those who hear the word spoken are separated into four groups, as described:

The Weak: these are creatures with 4 hit dice (HD) or less. Those who make saving throw will be stunned into unconsciousness, and will remain so for four hours; the remainder, who fail their save, will be killed by the word.

The Fair: these are creatures with 4 to 7 HD. Those who save will be made unconscious for 2-8 rounds; those who fail their save will be paralysed for 5-30 rounds.

• Creatures of 4 to 7 hit dice will be paralyzed for 5-30 rounds; those who make save will be insensible for 2-8 rounds.
• Creatures of 8 to 11 hit dice will be groggy for 2-8 rounds, during which time they will be able to move half their movement rate and attack at –4 ‘to hit.’ Those making save will be stunned for 2 rounds.
• Creatures of 12 hit dice or more will be deafened for 1-4 rounds, during which time they will move at ¾ their normal movement rate and attack at –2 ‘to hit.’ Those making save will be free to take action.