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Words of Power / Effect Word Descriptions

Binding Words

Source Ultimate Magic pg. 170
Words from this family cause objects to become stationary and creatures to become paralyzed.

Lock Ward (Binding)


School abjuration; Level sorcerer/wizard 1
Duration permanent
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)
Target Restrictions selected

This effect word causes one unattended object to close, such as a door, chest, or book. If the object possesses a lock, the object is also locked. If the wordspell includes other effect words, the effects of those words are suspended until a creature other than the wordcaster attempts to unlock or otherwise open the object. That creature becomes the target of the other effect words, as if those effect words had the selected target word. Only consider the other effect words when determining the duration of this secondary effect.

Paralyze Humanoid (Binding)


School enchantment (compulsion) [mind-affecting]; Level bard 2, cleric 2, inquisitor 2, sorcerer/wizard 3, witch 2
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
Target Restrictions selected

The target of a wordspell with this effect word is paralyzed and cannot move. It is aware and can breathe normally, but cannot take any actions. At the end of each of the creature’s turns, it can attempt a new saving throw to end the effect. Flying creatures that rely on wings to fly fall, and swimmers cannot swim and may drown. Wordspells with this effect word only affect creatures of the humanoid type.

Paralyze Creature (Binding)


School enchantment (compulsion) [mind-affecting]; Level bard 4, druid 4, inquisitor 4, sorcerer/wizard 5, summoner 5, witch 5
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
Target Restrictions selected

This effect word functions as the paralyze humanoid word except that it can affect creatures of any type.

Permanent Paralysis (Binding)


School enchantment (compulsion) [mind-affecting]; Level sorcerer/wizard 8, summoner 6, witch 8
Duration permanent
Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
Target Restrictions selected

This effect word functions as the paralyze humanoid word except that it can affect creatures of any type and the duration is permanent. A creature affected by a wordspell with this effect word receives one additional Will saving throw at the end of its first turn after initially failing the save. This saving throw is made to relieve this word’s effects, not any others included in the original wordspell. If this save fails as well, the effect of this word can only be undone with greater dispel magic, miracle, or wish.