Memory Wrack
This nasty spell "disconnects" the subject's
short-term and long-term memory. While the
spell is in effect, the subject is incapable of storing
information in long-term memory. Every moment is virtually an independent event for the
subject; he or she can remember recent events,
thoughts, and sensations for no more than a few
seconds (the amount of time they remain in short-term memory).
Memories of events that happened before the
onset of the spell are not affected at all; these are
safely stored in long-term memory. This means
that the subject can cast any spells memorized before the memory wrack took effect, but he is
likely to have difficulty casting the spell as described below.
The subject of this spell has a limited ability to
act. He is restricted to one action at a time and
must concentrate mightily to keep the situation
and any planned actions in short-term memory.
As long as the subject is able to maintain concentration, he may act normally within these limits.
If the subject is distracted (he is struck in combat, affected by a spell, startled, surprised, or a
similar event occurs), he forgets everything that
occurred from the onset of the spell to the moment of distraction. The subject must re-evaluate
the situation as if it had just come to pass.
Consider the following example. The subject of
the spell is a soldier assigned to guard the entrance to a building. The priest arrives and casts
memory wrack on the guard. The guard has no
problem remembering his orders, since he received them before the onset of the spell. He also
remembers the arrival of the priest. The priest
now tries to convince the guard that he is authorized to enter the building. The guard refuses him
entry. The priest now picks up a rock and throws
it at the guard, striking him and distracting him.
The guard forgets everything that happened between the onset of the spell and the moment the
rock struck. He forgets that the priest has already
tried to con him and that he threw a rock at him.
He must reevaluate the situation as though the
priest had just arrived. The priest is free to make
another attempt at entering the building.
When the spell expires, the subject remembers
nothing that happened while the spell was in effect, possibly leading to amusing consequences
("By the gods, how did I get here?").
The material component is crushed during the casting.
[Tome of Magic]
Sphere: Thought
(Alteration, Enchantment/Charm)
Level: 5
(Alteration, Enchantment/Charm)
Level: 5
Range: 10 yards
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 2 rounds/level
Casting Time: 1 round
Area of Effect: One creature
Saving Throw: Negates
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 2 rounds/level
Casting Time: 1 round
Area of Effect: One creature
Saving Throw: Negates
a ruby of at least 200 gp value
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