Corpse Link
With this versatile spell, a wizard establishes a sensory link between him- or herself and a corpse or
freshly animated zombie of a human, demihuman, or
humanoid within the spell's range. This link allows the
caster to gather sensory information from the vicinity
of the cadaver or undead being. For every three levels
of experience past the 1st, the wizard gains the ability
to collect information from an additional sense via the
corpse link. At 4th level, for instance, the wizard may
choose up to two senses (up to three at 7th level, four
at 10th level, and all five at 13th level).
Sight: The caster can see what the corpse or undead
creature sees as if looking through one of the creature's eyes.
Sound: The wizard can now hear through one ear,
exactly as if standing at the corpse's current location
(if a wizard/ thief, the caster can use his or her hear
noise ability too).
Smell: With one nostril, the wizard can now smell
things exactly as if standing at the corpse's current
location. The spell conveniently masks the putrefying
stench of the cadaver (if any) so that subtle variations
of aroma (like the scent of a rose) can easily be detected.
Taste: The caster can taste any substance which is
introduced into the corpse's mouth. The substance
(which may be solid or liquid) tastes exactly as if the
wizard had placed it on one side of his or her own
tongue. This can be especially useful when checking
for poison in food or identifying unknown potions.
Thankfully, the taste of the corpse's own rotting flesh
can be masked out by the spell.
Touch: The caster gains the ability to sense the textural and environmental conditions, with a single
hand, as if standing at the corpse's location. The wizard can gauge the surface texture and temperature of
any object or substance which is placed in contact
with the corresponding hand of the corpse.
The type and number of sensory signals is chosen
by the wizard at the time of casting, and cannot be
changed for the duration of the spell. The caster collects all the sensory information through a single
organ (eye, ear, nostril, half of the tongue, or hand)
belonging to the corpse or undead recipient. This
organ need not be attached to the rest of the cadaver for the
spell to function properly.
While the spell is in effect, the wizard can still
see/hear/smell/taste/touch normally through other
(unlinked) organs. For example, a necromancer harvests the left eye from a fresh cadaver (with a successful Anatomy ability check) and places it on a high
ledge, with a strategic view of a front door. If the spell
is now cast, the wizard's left eye would be able to see
through the left eye of the corpse and spy on any visitors, while his or her right eye remains normal.
Furthermore, if the target of the spell is a zombie,
the magic enables the caster to issue simple commands to the undead creature via this link. The commands can be no longer than four words and can
deal only with the creature's movement (turn left,
walk forward two steps, and so on). If either the
caster or the undead creature moves beyond the
range of the spell, the effects are negated. Corpse link
does not impart any animation to dead tissue; if cast
on a regular cadaver, it remains stationary for the
duration of the spell.
Unless some form of preservative magic has been employed to protect the
corpse's decaying sensory organs (such as Embalm or
Spirit Bind), this spell cannot be employed on the
remains of one who has been dead for longer than 1
day per level of the caster.
[Complete Book of Necromancers]
School: Necromancy, Alteration
Level: 1
Rarity: Common
Level: 1
Rarity: Common
Range: 10 yards/level
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 1 turn/ level
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: Caster
Saving Throw: None
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 1 turn/ level
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: Caster
Saving Throw: None
a fresh corpse or a newly-animated zombie;
the appropriate sensory organ of an animal or monster noted for its keen senses (such as the eyes of a hawk, ear of a rabbit, snout of a pig, and so on)
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