Focus
This spell creates the necessary conditions for
devotional energy to be used. For faith magic to
work, the priest must create a focus to harness
the necessary devotional energy. This spell creates that focus. A focus cannot function without
a source of devotional energy.
The focus gathers devotional energy and reshapes it in order to amplify other spells cast by
the priest (or priests). The same energy keeps the
focus in existence. If the spell is cast and there is
no immediate source of devotional energy within
100 feet, the focus immediately fails.
Once created, most foci cannot be moved. This
condition and the need for a constant supply of
devotional energy tends to limit the use of foci to
temples, churches, monasteries. shrines, and
seminaries — permanent structures where followers of the religion gather on a regular basis.
Sometimes a focus is created for a special gathering such as a holy day, conclave, grand wedding,
or yearly festival.
Not all foci are identical. The particular form
of the focus depends on the power and nature of
the spell being amplified. All foci can be seen by
detect magic. There are three basic types of foci;
site (S), item (I), and living (L).
Site foci are connected to a place, whether a
room, building, field, or forest. Once cast, the foci cannot be moved. It causes no disturbance in
the surroundings; it is invisible and intangible.
Item foci are centered on a single object. Customarily, this object is large and immovable, such
as an altar, but it is possible for the focus to be as
small as is practical. The item can be as elaborate
or plain as desired, but should have some significance to the religion.
Living foci are the rarest of all types. In this
case, the focus is created on a living plant, animal, or person. Detect Charm reveals the person
is somehow enchanted, although not under the
influence of a typical charm spell.
The type of focus created (site, item, or living)
depends on the religion and nature of the spell
amplified. These choices are listed in the Focused Spell Effects table. The spells in the table that have reverses also apply to those versions of the spell as well (i.e., Protection from Good, the reverse of Protection from Evil, also applies.
*The caster must state a desired range (temperature, wind strength, etc.) within the spells normal limitationsat the time it is cast.
Casting the focus spell is a long and complicated process, accompanied by many ceremonies
and rituals. During the day spent casting the
spell, the priest will need the assistance of at least
two other priests of the same faith. These aides
need not memorize the spell (or even be capable
of casting it). Their duty is to provide the extra
hands and voices needed at specific points of the
casting. A large number of worshipers must also
be present since the focus requires their energy.
Not surprisingly, the casting of this spell is often
incorporated into important holy festivals or special occasions.
The duration of the focus is one year. If the devotional energy falls below a minimum level, the
spell ends sooner. A focus requires the devotional
energy of at least 100 devout worshipers. Lay
monks (those dedicated to the religion but not
priests) count as two worshipers, while priests (of
any level) count as ten. A focus could be maintained by a congregation of 100, a monastery of
fifty, or a seminary of as few as 10 priests (or any
combination of the above). The focus must receive this energy for at least 10 hours out of every
day. If these conditions are not met, the focus
weakens. The area of effect of the amplified spell
decreases by 20% each day until it fades away
completely.
Once the focus is created, the priest or priests
have 1 turn in which to cast the desired spell upon
the focus. A focus can amplify only one spell,
and each item, creature, or place can receive only
one focus. Spells that can be cast upon a focus are
listed on the Focused Spell Effects table.
Once the spell is cast, the normal duration and
area of effect for that spell are ignored. The focus
begins to increase these factors of the spell's
power. After one day, the amplified spell reaches
its full area of effect. Thereafter, it remains over
that area until the focus fails.
The area affected by the focus (and its amplified spell) depends on the level of the caster. The
spell expands in a radius from the focus, 20 feet
per level of the caster, although it can deliberately
be created smaller. Within that area of effect, the
amplified spell exerts its normal effect. A 13th-level priest could create a focus up to 260 feet in
diameter.
The material components are many. These items are given up as offerings to the deity
(perhaps to be distributed to the poor), and new
ones must be obtained each time the spell is cast.
FOCUSED SPELL EFFECTS
Spell | Possible Focus Type |
---|---|
Anti-animal shell | S/I/L |
Anti-plant shell | S/I/L |
Bless | S/I |
Control temperature, 10' radius | S* |
Control Winds | S/I* |
Cure Disease | I/L |
Cure blindness or deafness | I/L |
Detect poison | S/I |
Detect Lie | I |
Detect magic | I |
Dispel evil | S/I |
Endure cold/endure heat | |
Know alignment | I/L |
Negative plane protection | S/I |
Protection from evil | S/I |
Protection from lightning | S |
[Protection from fire/td] | S |
Purify food and drink | I |
Remove fear | S/I/L |
Remove curse | I |
Repel insects | S/I |
Resist fire/resist cold | S |
Speak with animals | S/I/L |
Tongues | S/I |
True seeing | S |
[Tome of Magic]
Sphere: All
(Invocation)
Level: 4
Cooperative
(Invocation)
Level: 4
Cooperative
Range: 10 feet
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 1 day
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: None
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 1 day
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: None
special vestments, incense, oils, waters, and other equipment; the cost of these materials is never less than 1,000 gp plus 100 gp per level of spell being amplified
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