Snake Charm

Level 2 priest spell · Enchantment/Charm

Sways snakes totalling no more hit points than the caster's own into a swaying stupor for 1d4+2 turns, less if they are roused.

Situation: Control

Niche — narrow: the situation it serves seldom comes up.

Sphere
Animal (Animal, Charm - PSC)
Range
30 yds.
Components
V, S
Casting time
5
Duration
Special
Area of effect
30-ft. cube
Saving throw
None

When this spell is cast, a hypnotic pattern is set up that causes one or more snakes to cease all activity except a semierect, swaying movement. If the snakes are charmed while in a torpor, the duration of the spell is 1d4+2 turns; if the snakes are not torpid, but are not aroused and angry, the charm lasts 1d3 turns; if the snakes are angry or attacking, the spell lasts 1d4+4 rounds. The priest casting the spell can charm snakes whose total hit points are less than or equal to those of the priest. On the average, a 1st-level priest could charm snakes with a total of 4 or 5 hit points; a 2nd-level priest could charm 9 hit points, etc. The hit points can be those of a single snake or those of several of the reptiles, but the total hit points cannot exceed those of the priest casting the spell. A 23-hit point caster charming a dozen 2-hit point snakes would charm 11 of them. This spell is also effective against any ophidian or ophidianoid monster, such as naga, couatl, etc., subject to magic resistance, hit points, and so forth.

Variations of this spell may exist, allowing other creatures significant to a particular mythos to be affected. Your DM will inform you if such spells exist.

Notes: Common for clerics and druids (PHB).

Sources

  • Player's Handbook page 263
  • Priest's Spell Compendium Vol 2
This spell on the AD&D 2nd Edition Wiki