Protection from Malevolence (spell)
Protection from malevolence bestows an enhanced armour class (AC) when facing the weaponry and physical assaults of malicious creatures and monsters.
| Range | touch |
| Duration | 6 rounds per level |
| Area of Effect | 1 creature |
| Casting Time | 1 round |
| Saving Throw | none |
| Level | cleric (1st); mage (1st) |
In the context of this spell, malevolence is defined as an conscious desire to inflict serious harm upon or kill a combatant for personal reasons. Non-thinking creatures cannot be malevolent, as they are merely attempting to secure food for themselves and know no better.
Consequently, the spell is ineffectual against creatures that are merely defending themselves or their homes against player characters who are, in fact, the malevolent force in many situations. That said, certain entities, like the undead or manifestations hailing from the underworld, may be reliably viewed as malevolent, for part of their nature includes a strong desire to cause whatever ill they're able to achieve.
The spell improves the recipient's AC by +2 points against weapons and other attacks that do not inflict direct bodily harm, such as the use of magic. The protection provides +4 AC vs. bodily attacks. Bodily attacks include methods such as attacking with claws, fangs, horns, stings and so on. Overall, against any malevolent attack, the recipient receives a +2 saving throw — which also applies to items carried by the recipient.
