Negative Plane Protection

[Dell]

I have long been dissatisfied with this spell - as written, the house rule on level drains makes it superfluous. I would like to see it replaced with something that might actually be useful.

Here are my ideas:

1. Have it act as a sort of "Flame Shield" for undead - if they strike you, they take some kind of damage.
2. Have it act as a "Protection from Undead" scroll for the target.
3. Have it provide a bonus to save against (or immunity to) level draining.
4. Have undead that get close enough to the target be subject to a turning effect. ("Has he reached my turning radius yet?")

Or something like that.

[venger]

I can tell that's really been bothering you...

For ease of reference:

Negative Plane Protection (Abjuration)
Level: 3
Range: Touch
Duration: 1 turn/level
Area of Effect: One Prime Material Plane creature
ExplanationlDescription: This spell enables the caster or any other eligible creature touched to be partially protected from an undead monster that has an existence on the Negative Material Plane (such as a shadow, wight, wraith, spectre, or vampire). The dweomer of the spell opens a channel to the Positive Material Plane, the energy from which helps to offset the effect of the undead creature’s attack. The recipient is allowed a saving throw versus death magic if he or she is touched (attacked) by an undead creature. Success indicates that the recipient takes normal hit-point damage from the attack, but does not suffer the drain of experience that would otherwise take place. In addition, the undead creature takes 2-12 (2d6) hit points of damage from the Positive Plane energy. The magic is only proof against one such attack, and dissipates after that attack whether or not the saving throw is successful. If the saving throw versus death magic is failed, the recipient of the spell takes double the usual physical damage in addition to the loss of experience that normally occurs. The spell will also protect the recipient from the effect of a magic-user’s energy drain spell, but in such a case the magic-user is not affected. The contact between the Positive and Negative Planes that this spell brings about will cause a bright flash of light and a sound like that of a thunderclap, but these phenomena do not cause damage in any event. The protection will last for 1 turn per level of the cleric casting the spell, or until the recipient is successfully attacked by an undead monster. This spell cannot be cast on the Negative Material Plane.

Seems to me you should just receive an additional savings throw vs. the level draining if you have this spell in effect.

It says the spell dissipates immediately after the undead attacks, regardless of whether the savings throw is successful or not. So maybe it should grant immunity to level drain for that one hit and every hit thereafter would be as normal, unless the spell were to be cast again.

[Dell]

apprentice said:

Seems to me you should just receive an additional savings throw vs. the level draining if you have this spell in effect.

But that's not cool. I want it to do something cool.
Basically, I want there to be a whole new (and cool) spell that just happens to have the same name as this one.

[Ginger]

Perhaps we should think about ways it protects from temporary draining. We've encountered many undead guys who drain strength, dexterity and constitution points. Since it is dispelled when it protects you from a level draining creature, maybe it isn't dispelled when protecting you from a less powerful stat drain. That would make it helpful when the skeleton warrior's buddies catch up with us.