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Blindness or deafness was a necromancy—or, in a variant, illusion[9]—spell that rendered a target blind or deaf as chosen by the caster.[6][13]

Effects[]

There were several versions of this spell. The later version could be cast at any creature (living or undead) within 30 feet (9.1 meters) and rendered them blind or deaf for up to one minute. The target continually attempted to resist the magic of this spell, and the stronger its constitution, the more likely it would recover before the minute was up. If cast at a higher level, more creatures could be targeted.[13]

The older version of this spell had a much longer range (a minimum of 120 feet (37 meters)) and the target only got one chance to resist or was struck blind or deaf permanently. This magically-induced condition could only be reversed by a remove blindness or deafness spell, or more powerful magics. Only living creatures were affected by this spell.[6]

There also existed two older separate versions based on illusion magic, where one could only inflict blindness, the other deafness.[9][14]

Components[]

The different versions of this spell required only a verbal utterance to cast, except deafness, where also gestures and beeswax were needed.[6][9][13]

History[]

The deafness spell was developed by Netherese arcanist Cragh of Northreach, himself deaf since birth, in 1860 NY (−1999 DR) as Cragh's deafness. It was his only spell.[2][15] blindness was an invention of his prolific colleague Smolyn in 1895 NY (−1964 DR), then accordingly named Smolyn's blindness.[1]

By the 1360s DR both spells were uncommon among magic-users in Faerûn[16] and widespread among those in Zakhara.[17][18][note 1]

In 1372 DR, the Year of Wild Magic, a combined version came into use in the magical community, quickly replacing the two more restrictive spells.[6][14]

Appendix[]

See Also[]

Notes[]

  1. Canon material does not provide dating for the Al-Qadim campaign setting. For the purposes of this wiki only, the current date for Al-Qadim products is assumed to be 1367 DR.

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

External links[]

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following links do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki, nor does any lore presented necessarily adhere to established canon.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 slade, Jim Butler (October 1996). “The Winds of Netheril”. In Jim Butler ed. Netheril: Empire of Magic (TSR, Inc.), pp. 22, 24. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 slade, Jim Butler (October 1996). “The Winds of Netheril”. In Jim Butler ed. Netheril: Empire of Magic (TSR, Inc.), pp. 22–23. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
  3. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 109, 207–211, 219. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  4. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 96. ISBN 978-0786965622.
  5. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 139. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 206. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
  7. Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 62. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  8. Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 85. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 David "Zeb" Cook (August 1989). Player's Handbook (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 140. ISBN 0-88038-716-5.
  10. Jeff Grubb and Andria Hayday (April 1992). Arabian Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 152. ISBN 978-1560763581.
  11. slade, Jim Butler (October 1996). “The Winds of Netheril”. In Jim Butler ed. Netheril: Empire of Magic (TSR, Inc.), pp. 121–122. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
  12. Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 95. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 219. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Skip Williams (2000). Conversion Manual. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 15.
  15. slade, Jim Butler (October 1996). “The Winds of Netheril”. In Jim Butler ed. Netheril: Empire of Magic (TSR, Inc.), p. 109. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
  16. Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 152. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
  17. Jeff Grubb and Andria Hayday (April 1992). Arabian Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 152. ISBN 978-1560763581.
  18. Sam Witt (March 1994). The Complete Sha'ir's Handbook. Edited by Dezra D. Phillips, C. Terry Phillips. (TSR, Inc.), p. 124. ISBN 1-56076-828-2.
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