Zone of Deception

Level 2 priest spell · Enchantment/Charm

Everyone in a 5-ft. cube per level is able to utter only lies for a round per level; save negates.

Situation: Talk

Niche — dominated by Zone of Truth, which does the same job as well or better.

Sphere
Wards
Range
30 yds.
Components
V, S
Casting time
Special
Duration
1 rd./level
Area of effect
5-ft/level cube
Saving throw
Neg.

This is the reverse of the zone of truth spell. Everyone in the area of effect knows immediately that they can speak only lies. They can decide exactly what they say and how they say it, but every statement must be a lie. Because questions, suppositions, and exclamations are not statements, they are not affected. The DM should carefully examine every statement and classify it as true, false, or an exception to the spell. For example, the statement “I can only lie” is a true statement under the influence of this spell and, therefore, cannot be spoken.

Notes: Common on the Demiplane of Dread; used mostly by evil priests.

Sources

  • Priest's Spell Compendium Vol 3
This spell on the AD&D 2nd Edition Wiki