New Spell: Armageddon
Transmutation
9th level Sor/Wiz, 9th level Cleric
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: One hour
Duration: One day per a level
Target: One square mile of area per a caster level (max 20 miles)
Saving Throw: See below
Spell Resistance: No
Despite this spell’s name, this particular magical effect does not bring about the end of the world, though its victims have often mistaken its casting for such an event. This spell is considered dangerous even by the most powerful of casters, and none would dare to use it lightly, lest the gods themselves decide to eradicate this foul mortal from the universe as punishment for his crimes.
This spell brings ultimate doom upon the area in which it is cast, only a handful of creatures have ever seen this spell. It was created by a fowl god of decay for a follower, who wished to punish the kingdom in which he lived for killing his wife. The cleric cast Armageddon, and only then learned of the spell’s true nature. Armageddon creates an instantaneous portal between the god who created it, and its caster, allowing it to pour its essence into the area where it was summoned. After coming, the essence was free to do as it liked, to roam freely across this area until its essence evaporated and returned to its source. The kingdom was destroyed, just as the god had promised, but as a price for this boon, the god seized the caster and turned his power upon its most loyal of servants. The legend says that the other gods, furious at this scar across this world, exiled their kindred, so that this spell is the only remaining way for him to interact with this world, and to gain sustenance from those it destroys.
In game terms, Armageddon turns every creature in its area of effect with five or fewer hit dice to stone. Every creature with ten or fewer hit dice is blinded and deafened until the god leaves this world. Every creature with more than ten hit dice is shaken until they either leave the area of effect, or the spell expires. Then, for the remainder of the spell’s duration, lightning strikes the ground, dealing 10d6 damage to any creature that it hits (reflex save for half.) This lightning tends to seek out living targets, and any creature killed by it is turned to stone. Creatures turned to stone by this spell cannot be returned to normal, not even a wish can revive them. However, it is said that a counter spell was developed, by the same cleric who first cast Armageddon, and it remains on his statue, hidden in some god-forsaken place. The legend says that if someone were to cast this spell, he could pull back the souls of those who died, and return them to flesh.
However, this spell has a downside. The caster must also endure this suffering, before he can witness his spell rain death on his fellow man. He must make a will save, (DC 10+the caster’s level) or be turned to stone, his spirit trapped within the god that he summoned.
Material Components: 150,000 gold pieces of ceremonial objects which must be burned, and a sacrifice of a magical item that costs at least 200,000 gold pieces.