A dire chant is a draconic variant of the common chant and prayer spells. It creates a sense of impending doom, an aura of decay, and lowers the temperature in the area of effect to just above freezing (if the temperature is freezing or below, the spell has no effect on temperature).
Within the affected area, opponents of the caster suffer a -2 penalty to attack and damage rolls, most saving throws, and morale. Saving throws against dragon fear, cause fear spells, and similar effects suffer a -4 penalty.
The dire chant lasts as long as the dragon continues to chant. This precludes the use of a breath weapon, bite, and spellcasting with verbal components (though innate spell-like abilities and granted powers can be used).
In subterranean and enclosed settings, the dire chant need only be uttered for one round. The natural acoustics of the enclosed area are magically augmented to echo the initial chant for 10 rounds after the dragon ceases to chant.
Notes: Restricted to dragons. Granted by Null, the Death Wyrm, of the Forgotten Realms setting. This spell effect is known to exist as an innate spell-like ability.