This spell enhances a priest's ability to guard a person, place, or object. The spell's effect must be centered on a specific area, for it creates an invisible spherical boundary up to 10 feet in diameter. The effect is not mobile; it cannot move with a living creature.
While within the area of effect of this spell, the priest (and only the priest) gains several special abilities:
- His sense of sight is magically enhanced. He can see through normal darkness and can see invisible creatures and objects. He cannot see through solid objects, however, and the range of his magical sight is limited to 60 feet.
- The priest has no need for food, water, or rest. He does not feel fatigue and regenerates 1 hit point per hour spent within the circle. However, he does not actually rest and therefore cannot regain spells until he sleeps.
- He is totally immune to the effects of magical and natural fear, as well as sleep and charm spells.
If the priest leaves the circle, the spell is broken. When the spell ends, the priest must rest for 1 turn per hour (or portion thereof) spent in the circle. If the priest is forced into action (by being attacked, for example), he can move at only half his normal movement rate, has an Armor Class penalty of -2, an attack penalty of -2, and loses all Dexterity combat bonuses.
To cast this spell, the priest must trace a circle of sigils and runes 10 feet in diameter using a special ink containing the powder of a crushed sapphire (at least 1,000 gp value) and a drop of holy water. This procedure takes 1 turn to complete.
Notes: Uncommon for priests with major access to the Guardian sphere (ToM).
High-Level Campaigns Note
Unceasing Vigilance of the Holy Sentinel: A priest recovering from this spell must rest unless compelled to act by some external cause. Generally, the priest cannot respond to threats that he cannot perceive (though the priest always perceives a threat to himself if he suffers damage). A nap spell grants the priest 48 turns of rest.