Exterminate (cantrip)
Exterminate enables the destruction of any creature whose "maximum" hit points (h.p.) is 1. Thus, a creature that's been reduced to 1 h.p. through damage cannot be affected; but virtually any 1 hit die (HD) creature might perchance be vulnerable, including the rare human, demi-human, goblin, kobald and so on whose h.p. roll was bleak.
Range | 10 ft. |
Duration | permanent |
Area of Effect | 1 creature |
Casting Time | 2 action points |
Saving Throw | none |
Level | cantrip |
There's no way for the caster to know, of course, which creature in a group might have only 1 h.p. Moreover, the divination cannot be obtained anachronistically — though learning which is the "weakest" could produce positive results.
The cantrip's safest bet is against creatures with a minimal HD, such as grubs, leeches, centipedes, rats, chickens and so on. The death bestowed occurs without a saving throw; the exterminated creature's remains are left where the creature died. Exterminated creatures can be brought back to life with raise dead or resurrection, but not with death's door.