This spell protects the subject from normal serpents. Nonmagical and unintelligent snakes simply ignore the creature's presence. Giant, magical, or intelligent snakes, and snakelike beings such as nagas, can still attack, but at a -2 penalty. The protected creature has a +1 saving throw bonus against injected poisons for the spell's duration.
The material component is ash from a fire in which a snake has been cremated. Relatively large amounts of the ash are required, because, as the spell is cast, the shaman smears the ash over the creature's body. The spell ends if the ash is washed off, or after 24 hours in any case. If the ash is removed from a part of the subject, the exposed portion is again vulnerable to snake bites.
Notes: Common for shamans and other primitive priests.
Alternative versions of this spell also exist, used by shamans in regions where snakes are not the most threatening of venomous creatures. For example, among desert shamans, a protection from scorpions spell is used, smearing scorpions' ashes over the subject to grant protection against the creatures.