Crimson Rite of the Withering Moon - ritual

Crimson Rite of the Withering Moon (ritual)

5th-level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S, M (a drop of blood from a murdered poison victim and a piece of moonstone worth at least 500 gp both of which are consumed by the spell)
Duration: Instantaneous

In the shadowed light of the waning moon, the "Crimson Rite of the Withering Moon" calls forth the essence of decay and demise. This spell draws upon the ebbing strength of the moon to unleash a wave of necrotic energy, sapping the life force of those it touches.

Upon casting, select up to six creatures within range. Each target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature suffers 6d8 necrotic damage, as the spell leeches their vitality, leaving them withered and weakened. On a successful save, a creature takes half damage.

The power of the Crimson Rite extends beyond mere damage. For each creature that fails its saving throw, you regain hit points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt to that creature. This vampiric effect represents the life force siphoned from the targets, channeled back into your own being.

Moreover, if a creature is killed by this spell, its body undergoes rapid decay, turning to dust within seconds. This prevents any form of normal resurrection, as there is no body to return to life. Only a "True Resurrection" or a similar powerful spell can restore such a creature to life. Furthermore, if a creature is killed by this spell on a full moon they become an Angry Ghost bound to serve the caster. If It's a blood moon they become a Dread Wraith instead. In either case not even True Resurrection can return them to life, instead it only puts their souls to rest destroying the undead they have become. Undead created by this spell do not count against a Necromancer's limit of undead they control, instead these undead obey verbal commands and otherwise act of their own accord, including how they interpret the commands they are given. This spell does not confer a common language ability, if one does not exist between them then they simply cannot understand the commands given and follow the caster aimlessly with only the minimum interest in what they are doing.

As the spell concludes, the caster's eyes momentarily glow with a crimson hue, reflecting the stolen life essence before fading back to normal.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 6th level or higher, the number of creatures you can target increases by +2, and the range of the spell's effect increases by +30 feet, as does the necrotic damage increases by +2d8 for each slot level above 5th.

Classes: Cleric, Warlock, Wizard
Subclasses: Death Domain Cleric, Undying Warlock, Necromancy Wizard, Dark Moon Druid
Source: Original Creation

Note: "Crimson Rite of the Withering Moon" is a spell of great power and consequence, embodying the themes of life, death, and the natural cycle of decay. It is especially potent in the hands of those who embrace the darker aspects of magic, offering both offensive capability and self-sustenance through the siphoning of life energy. The spell's connection to the moon adds a layer of mystique, tying its power to the celestial cycle and the eternal dance of life and death.