Dread Word
Dread Word is a D&D 3.5 spell (Evocation) from BV. On class lists for Demonologist (Level 3), Sorcerer (Level 3), Wizard (Level 3), and others. Range or area: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels); Saving throw: Fortitude negates; Duration: Instantaneous; Casting time: 1 standard action.
- School
- Evocation
- Casting Time
- 1 standard action
- Components
- V
- Range
- Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
- Target
- One good creature
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Saving Throw
- Fortitude negates
- Spell Resistance
- Yes
The caster speaks a single unique word of pure malevolence—a powerful utterance from the Dark Speech (see Chapter 2). The word is so foul that it harms the very soul of one that hears it. The utterance of a dread word causes one subject within range to take 1d3 points of Charisma drain. The power of this spell protects the caster from the damaging effects of both hearing and knowing the word.
To attempt to speak this unique word without using this spell means instant death (and no effect, because the caster dies before she gets the entire word out).