Suspended Retribution

Rank 6CommondivineoccultRemaster
Range60 feet
Target1 creature
Duration1 minute
DefenseBasic Reflex
Heightened(+1) 10
Damage70 mental

All life dances one step from the precipice, one heartbeat from disaster. You open your eyes wide and see doom waiting in the wings, then invite it to step forward. A spectral omen of disaster appears above the target's head—traditionally, this is a downward-pointing sword, but some spellcasters report seeing a hangman's noose or a grinning skull instead. When you Cast this Spell, pick one of the following triggers.

  • The target moves more than its Speed in a single round.
  • The target makes more than one Strike in a single round.
  • The target Casts a Spell.
  • The target uses a specific skill you name.
  • The target uses a specific ability you name. The target uses a specific ability you name. If the target takes the triggering action, the portent of doom activates—the sword strikes down, the noose loops around the target's neck, the skull bares its fangs—and the target takes 70 mental damage with a basic Reflex save. The target instinctively knows which action will trigger the omen and can ward off the omen by spending a total of 3 actions, which have the concentrate trait, to pray, make signs against doom, or similar apotropaic actions. These actions need not be consecutive. After the creature spends the actions, the spell ends.

Heightened (+1) The damage increases by 10.

Traits

Concentrate

An action with this trait requires a degree of mental concentration and discipline.

Curse

A curse is an effect that places some long-term affliction on a creature. Curses are always magical and are typically the result of a spell or trap. Effects with this trait can be removed only by effects that specifically target curses.

Manipulate

You must physically manipulate an item or make gestures to use an action with this trait. Creatures without a suitable appendage can't perform actions with this trait. Manipulate actions often trigger reactions.

Mental

A mental effect can alter the target's mind. It has no effect on an object or a mindless creature.

Prediction

Effects with this trait determine what is likely to happen in the near future. Most predictions are divinations.