Incantations

in theory and practice

by Scott Gable
& Troy Taylor

W hat are
incantations?
They are ritualized
formulae that let you
bring about a wide
variety of mystical
effects. If you know
the right words, the
right ingredients, the
right signs and symbols,
the right gestures and
movements, then great
power can be yours.

Credits
Design Scott Gable, Troy Taylor
Editing Troy Taylor, Scott Gable
Illustration James Keegan
Graphic Design Scott Gable
Incantations in Theory and Practice is compliant with the
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designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced in
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©2010 Zombie Sky Press
Incantations in Theory and Practice
Though similar to
spells, incantations
have some important Design Corner: Updating Incantations
differences. Foremost, The mechanics for incantations presented here are updated and expanded
they can be cast by from those originally released for 3.5E under the Open Game License. Of the
anyone—even by handful of changes, the largest was shifting the emphasis away from arcane
those not considered knowledge. As presented here, incantations should be an option for as many
spellcasters. You don’t characters as possible that are willing to take the risk. It is not intended as
a subsystem open only to spellcasters. Of course, some incantations still
use spell slots for
demand knowledge of arcane or divine matters, but others focus primarily on
incantations or require 8
hours of sleep to prepare
performance or healing or other activities dictated by skills.
Additionally, newly introduced are lesser incantations and options to use
them, and there is no
opposed checks for resolving incantation effects.
limit to the amount you The mechanics are completely compatible with both 3.5E and with
can know or use in a day. Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. The incantations themselves are designed
There are drawbacks, specifically for Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.
however. Incantations
are time consuming
to cast, and there is campaigns, especially those inspired by horror,
they might actually replace spells.
no guarantee of your success. They may be
quite expensive, require strange components or Each incantation is often an event in itself,
additional participants, or even work only during opening new possibilities for further adventure
very specific conditions. within the campaign world. Perhaps characters
Most importantly, incantations are not forgiving. need to find a special location or ingredient,
They typically demand a high price for success, conduct research in distant libraries to find a
perhaps requiring riches or blood or promises. complete version of the incantation, or even
More so, failed incantations rarely simply fade negotiate with otherworldly entities?
away; they often have very serious repercussions,
their effects often lashing out at you and others. Discovering Incantations
Incantations allow both spellcasters and non- Incantations come in many forms: the magical
spellcasters to supplement their abilities with theory contained within an old grimoire, the
mystical power. To prevent incantations from mystical ramblings of a crazy hermit, the
introducing too much power into a game and schematics for a wondrous machine, the complex
disrupting the balance, they tend to be costly, movements taught in a hidden monastery, or
dangerous, and very specific in effect. the mysterious sheet music tucked away on
They allow any type of character a chance to an abandoned library shelf. These are the
access forbidden and powerful rituals. In some instructions—the recipes—for great power.
campaigns, they exist alongside spells and other Incantations might be given as treasure, or they
character class abilities, each providing characters might be sought intentionally, perhaps as the
with a slightly different experience. In other object of a quest.
—2—

Performing an Incantation
Incantations are ritual. You must have the
required components to perform them
successfully. Then, you must succeed on a number
of skill checks. Though the exact requirements for
different incantations can vary greatly, there are
some general guidelines:
❖❖ Each incantation’s description details how
many successful skill checks are required to
cast it.
❖❖ Unless otherwise specified, you make a skill
check every 10 minutes.
❖❖ If a skill that normally has a parenthetical
component is presented without it, such as
Perform, any variety of that skill can be used.
❖❖ Unless a sequence is specified, when checks
involving more than one skill are required, they
may be made in any order.
❖❖ Failing one skill check means that 10 minutes
elapsed, and the incantation is in danger of
failing. Two consecutive unsuccessful skill
checks means the incantation fails.
❖❖ Even if the incantation fails, the performance
Incantations in Theory and Practice
still consumes all material components.
❖❖ Most incantations have a backlash that affects
you upon the conclusion of the ritual whether
the incantation was successful or not (see
Backlash, below).
❖❖ Every incantation has consequences associated
with failure.
Interrupting Incantations. Incantations
take a long time to perform, but they aren’t as
delicate and exacting as spells. You don’t provoke
attacks of opportunity while performing them,
and you can even pause the ritual for a short time
in order to fight, cast spells, or take other actions.
However, for each round the incantation is
interrupted, the DC of all subsequent skill checks
to complete the performance increases by 1. Time
spent during the interruption of an incantation
does not count toward it’s casting time.
Saving Throws. If an incantation allows a
save, the formula to calculate the save is included
in the incantation’s description.
Spell Resistance. When making caster
level (CL) checks to overcome spell resistance
(SR), divide the incantation’s skill check DC by
2 to find its effective CL. (For
opposed checks, use the default
However, incantations with backlash components
or similarly harmful aspects count as threats,
preventing you from taking 10. You may never
take 20 when attempting to complete an
incantation.
Skill Checks
Often, an incantation’s required skill checks can
be performed in any order. Occasionally, however,
a particular sequence is required either in total
or in part. In this case, the required skill checks
will be labeled with “in order” in the incantation
description. Any of the checks listed after this
label must be performed in the same sequence
listed; any listed before this label may be
performed in any order either before or after the
entirety of the sequenced checks.
For example, in the case of “Skill Checks
Knowledge (arcana) DC 20, 1 success; in order—
Sense Motive DC 20, 1 success; Bluff DC 20, 3
successes; Survival DC 20, 3 successes,” you must
make 1 Sense Motive check, followed by 3 Bluff
checks, and then by 3 Survival checks. However,
the lone Knowledge (arcana) check may be
performed either before the Sense Motive check or
after the last Survival check.

Design Corner: Are Incantations Magic? DC for the incantation’s school

modified by any bonuses
Ritual magic is certainly one aspect of incantations, but not all or penalties listed in the
incantations need to be arcane or divine in nature—or even necessarily
incantation for the opponent’s
magic. They are, after all, primarily based on skill checks, so they can
roll. Divide this value by 2.)
easily accommodate a variety of alternate effects that are no less
Use this value even if you are a
wondrous. For instance, the forbidden techniques of forgotten monks
spellcaster. The incantation is
that utilize pressure points, the convoluted schemata of mystical
engineers detailing clockwork machines, and the subtle songs and the power, and you are simply
speeches of famous bards are all easily emulated with incantations. the conduit.
Whether they’re channeling magic, ki, physical principles, or force of Taking 10. As long as
will alone, you simply need to utilize different skills. you are not threatened or
distracted, you may take 10.
Incantation Components
Most incantations require some variety of
components, such as focus, material, somatic, and
verbal components. In addition, some require
secondary performers (abbreviated SP in an
incantation’s description).
Secondary Performers (or Secondary
Casters). Incantations often require multiple
participants to successfully complete them.
However, only one participant can be the primary
performer. Secondary performers can make

—3—

skill checks in place of the primary performer.
However, performers cannot use the aid another
action to assist in required skill checks.
Incantations can be performed with more
performers than necessary, so if certain
participants cannot continue, others can replace
them.
Backlash
When performing an incantation, you and other
performers are often adversely affected, even if
not the incantation’s primary targets. This is a
backlash and may consist of damage, negative
levels, or some other effect. You experience a
backlash regardless of the success or failure of the
incantation.
Failed Incantations
If two consecutive skill checks are unsuccessful—
even if made by different performers—the
incantation fails. If an effect is listed in an
incantation’s description specifically for failure, it
targets the performer that failed the second check
(in addition to a possible backlash).
There are many possibilities for the
consequences of failure. These are just a few. (The
incantation’s description provides any additional
necessary details.)
Attack. A summoned creature attacks you—
and likely everyone else nearby.
Augment. Instead of destroying the target as it
was supposed to, the incantation makes the target
more powerful.
Betrayal. Though the incantation seems to
succeed, the subject of the incantation—or even
you—actually undergoes a dramatic alignment
change. For the next 1d6 minutes, the subject’s
alignment becomes the extreme opposite of
Incantations in Theory and Practice
what it was previously (for instance, lawful good be much more idiosyncratic than spells are,
becomes chaotic evil, or chaotic neutral becomes and because they hinge on skill checks, it’s
lawful neutral; a neutral subject randomly possible for characters to access powerful magic
becomes lawful good, lawful evil, chaotic good, or before they—or the campaign—are ready for it.
chaotic evil). The subject generally tries to keep its These guidelines will help you build balanced
new outlook a secret. incantations.
Damage. You or the target takes damage as the
consequence of failure. Determine School
Death. Someone dies. This is usually you or the When creating an incantation, first decide which
target. Some incantations allow a saving throw to school or schools it would fit into if it were a spell.
avoid this consequence of failure. Each of the schools has a specific DC associated
Delusion. You believe the incantation worked, with it that serves as the base skill check DC. If
but actually, it had no effect—or a very different you’re unsure which school is most appropriate,
one from that intended. compare the effects with existing spells.
Falsehood. The incantation (typically a For incantations with multiple schools, choose
divination) provides you with false results, but the most important one to determine the
you believe it is true. incantation’s base DC. Those additional schools,
Hostile Spell. You are targeted by a harmful however, add 1/3 of their DC to the total DC.
spell, specified in
the incantation’s
description.
Mirrorcast. The
Design Corner: Creating Incantations
incantation has the These guidelines for creating incantations should be used with care. They
are a starting point only. Good judgment should be used to evaluate all new
opposite effect of what
incantations. Anytime you apply multiple modifiers to a single difficulty check
was intended.
(DC), the potential arises for accidental consequences or intentional abuse.
Reversal. The
To prevent them from being misused in your campaign, avoid creating
incantation affects
incantations with skill check DCs lower than 20 (with the exception of lesser
you rather than the incantations). Keep in mind, however, that spells are generally easier, faster,
intended target. and safer than incantations, so if you make them too difficult to succeed at,
players won’t use them. In some campaigns, incantations may be exceedingly
Creating New rare and difficult, which means characters will rely primarily on spells. In other
Incantations campaigns, incantations may be the dominant or sole option.
Each incantation should have at least one aspect that’s difficult to deal with,
Creating new
such as an expensive material component or a significant backlash. There should
incantations is a
always be some significant cost or risk. An incantation’s purpose is typically
tricky balancing
very specific, such as when contacting a unique, named entity (as opposed to
act. Incantations
a random one). Each incantation could be a mini-adventure all its own. Using
are intentionally them should feel like a big deal.
constructed to
—4—

Each summary below specifies the range, target,
duration, and other aspects of an incantation
associated with a particular school.
Abjuration—Skill Check DC 32; Range
close; Target one or more creatures, no two of
Table 1: Modifying Incantations
Factors
Skill Checks
Requires checks involving more
than one skill
Casting Time
1 hour between checks
Casting time is restricted (such as,
only during full moon)
Casting time is severely restricted
(such as, only during lunar eclipse)
Focus and Material Components
Expensive material component
(500 gp)
Expensive material component
(5,000 gp)
Expensive material component
(25,000 gp)
Expensive focus (5,000 gp)
Expensive focus (25,000 gp)
Extra Performers
10 or fewer secondary performers
11-100 secondary performers
101 or more secondary performers
Range
Touch to close/close to touch
Close to medium/medium to close
Medium to long/long to medium
Area
Doubling area/halving area
Incantations in Theory and Practice
which can be more than 30 ft. apart; Duration Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); SR yes
minutes; Saving Throw Will negates; SR yes (harmless)
Conjuration—Skill Check DC 30; Range Divination—Skill Check DC 30; Range long;
close; Target one creature; Duration hours Target personal; Duration minutes; Saving
(instantaneous for teleportation subschool); Throw none; SR no
Enchantment—Skill Check DC 32; Range
close; Target one living creature; Duration
Target minutes; Saving Throw Will negates; SR
Unwilling target must be helpless -2 yes
Check DC
Modifier Limited targets (by HD, creature -3 Evocation—Skill Check DC 34; Range
type, and so on) medium; Area 5-ft.-wide bolt or 20-ft.-radius
Single target to multiple targets +4 burst; Duration instantaneous; Saving
-1
Duration Throw Reflex half; SR yes
Rounds to minutes/minutes to +2/-2 Illusion—Skill Check DC 32; Range
-1
rounds touch; Target one living creature or 20 cubic
-4
Minutes to hours/hours to minutes +4/-2 ft. of matter; Duration minutes; Saving
Hours to days/days to hours +6/-2 Throw Will disbelief; SR no
-8 Days to permanent or +10/-4 Necromancy—Skill Check DC 34; Range
instantaneous/permanent or
close; Target one or more creatures or
instantaneous to days
corpses; Duration instantaneous; Saving
Saving Throw
-1 Throw none; SR no
None (or harmless) to save partial/ +2/-2
save partial to none (or harmless) Transmutation—Skill Check DC 32;
-2
Save partial to save negates/save +2/-2 Range medium; Target one creature or
-4
negates to save partial 20 cubic ft. of matter; Duration rounds;
Spell Resistance Saving Throw Fortitude half (or harmless);
-1 Yes to no (or harmless)/no (or +4/-4 SR yes
harmless) to yes
-2
Backlash Modify DC
Per 2d6 points of damage -1 For the next step, determine what
-2
-6
Performer is exhausted -2 adjustments, if any, are required of the
-10
Per negative level performer gains -2 base DC, factoring in the specifics of your
Performer reduced to -1 hp -3 incantation (see Table 1: Modifying
+2/-2
Performer infected with disease -4 Incantations for a list of how certain factors
Backlash affects secondary -1 change the skill check DC).
+2/-2
performers too For example, increasing the incantation’s
+2/-2
Lesser Incantations range would also increase the DC while
Per incantation effective level less -2 reducing its duration would reduce the DC.
+3/-3 than 6th
Use this list as a guideline for modifications
that aren’t listed, such as new backlash effects.
—5—

Set Level
Finally, set the effective level of the incantation.
Incantations are comparable to spells levels 6-9,
so set the effective level of the incantation to that
of a similar spell. This effective level determines a
number of aspects of the incantation, such as how
many total successes are required, save DCs, and
sometimes its range and duration.
Total Successes. Equal to the incantation’s
effective level.
Save DC. 10 + incantation’s effective level +
your Charisma modifier.
Duration and Range. These details are
often specified in an incantation’s description. If
not, assume a CL of twice the incantation’s level
and use the same formula a similar spell would.
For example, an incantation with a duration of
“minutes” would last 12 minutes if it’s effectively a
6th-level spell. The same incantation with a range
of medium can affect a target up to 220 ft. away.
Lesser Incantations
If incantations are comparable to spell levels 6-9,
then lesser incantations are comparable to spell
levels 1-5. Lesser incantations are built the same
way as standard incantations with the exception
that, for each level they are less than 6th level, you
apply a -2 adjustment to the starting DC.
For instance, let’s say you want to make a lesser
incantation that mimics summon monster I. Your
starting DC would be 30 (for conjuration school).
From there, the default values match those of
the spell except for duration, and modifying the
duration from hours to rounds grants us a -4
adjustment to the DC for a DC 24. Because this
would be a 1st-level lesser incantation, we also
make a -10 adjustment (-2 adjustment for each
of 5 levels) for a DC 14. Now we have a lesser
Incantations in Theory and Practice
incantation that does the exact same thing as
summon monster I, except anyone can perform
it, it takes 10 minutes to complete, and it has a
chance of failure. There’s probably not many that
will get excited over that, but it gives us a baseline.
Now, you can go back to increase the duration and
provide some sort of cost or backlash (modifying
the DC as you go). In a short time, you might
have a flavorful lesser incantation that summons
a specific, awakened dog that agrees to track
someone for you in return for a favor.
While incantations shouldn’t have DCs less than
20, lesser incantations often do. The minimum DC
for a lesser incantation is 8 + (2 x level of lesser
incantation): that is DC 10 for 1st level, DC 12 for
2nd level, DC 14 for 3rd level, DC 16 for 4th level,
and DC 18 for 5th level.
Opposed Checks
Some incantations and lesser incantations use
opposed ability or skill checks instead of checks
with static DCs. Creating these is almost identical
to creating those with static DCs. You still choose
the school, using the same default values: however,
replace the starting DC in this case with an
opposed check, perhaps Bluff vs. Sense Motive.
Now, when you modify your incantation or lesser
incantation, instead of applying adjustments to
a static DC, you apply adjustments to the target’s
check result.
For example, let’s stick with our Bluff vs. Sense
Motive opposed check for an incantation of the
enchantment school. If you increase the default
duration from minutes to hours, you would then
apply a +4 adjustment to the target’s check result:
it would be your Bluff result vs. the target’s Sense
Motive result +4. If you, instead, reduced the
duration from minutes to rounds, you would apply
a -2 adjustment to the target’s Sense Motive check.
—6—
In an incantation description, using the current
example, an opposed check would be designated
“Bluff vs. Sense Motive +4.” The skill or other
quantity that you use is the first listed, or Bluff
in this case. The one you’re opposing, whether
against a hostile target or a summoned creature,
uses the second skill or other quantity listed, in
this case Sense Motive. Any modifier listed for
you or your opponent is applied to the respective
checks.
Incantations
Here are just a few sample incantations.
Corpse Dancer
You plunge your hands into the open abdomen of the corpse
laid out in front of you. You slowly work the medium—the
blood and innards—making sickening squelching noises the
entire time. It is only as you finish, when the creature opens
its eyes and stares up at you, its master, that the full reality of
what you’ve done becomes apparent.
School necromancy; Effective Level 3rd
Skill Checks Heal DC 20, 2 successes; Spellcraft DC
20, 1 success
Casting Time 30 minutes
Components M, S
Material Components—corpse of sentient creature,
recently deceased (within 2 weeks of death); exotic
unguents for preparing corpse (worth at least 500 gp)
Range touch
Target dead creature touched
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw none; SR no
Description
You create a homunculus.
With a fresh corpse in hand, you begin the work
of molding some of its flesh and organs into your
homunculus. Slowly, the tiny form takes shape,
and with luck, it begins to take on a life of its own

as it pulls away from your sticky hands and corpse
incubator.
The creature is a homunculus (see Pathfinder
Roleplaying Game Bestiary). You supply the
creature’s vitality with your own blood (or 1d10 of
its total 2d10 hp). You are its creator, possessing
the standard bond between homunculus and
master.
A secondary Craft (sculpture) skill check is
required to determine how well crafted the
homunculus is. (This check doesn’t affect the
actual success or failure of this lesser incantation,
simply the quality of the homunculus.)
Craft (sculpture)
Check Result
9 or lower The homunculus is poorly
shaped, possessing ugly
deformities and no wings (or
useless wings). It cannot fly.
10-19 The homunculus is
appropriately formed. It can fly.
20 or higher The homunculus is expertly
crafted. It appears as a
tiny replica of whatever or
whomever you wish: perhaps
of yourself or another
individual.
Backlash
Half of the total hp of the homunculus, or 1d10 hp,
are permanently drained from you to fuel the tiny,
necrotic construct. You cannot heal this damage
unless the homunculus is destroyed.
Failure
If you fail two consecutive skill checks, the
homunculus animates as normal, but you are not
its master. You still suffer the backlash, fueling
the creature, and you still develop a telepathic link
with it, but you cannot control it. It makes its own
choices. You do not realize the failure until the
Incantations in Theory and Practice
homunculus says or does something to clue you
in: it may threaten you, attack you, run away, or
something else as appropriate.
The homunculus resents you for dredging it into
existence, and it wants to ruin you for it. It may
attempt to do so openly or secretly. It may even
play along, feigning that it’s under your control,
but you never actually control it.
Emissary of the Old Stone
You ramble on with the prescribed litany of courtesies. On
and on, you’re not sure if you’ ll collapse from exhaustion
or boredom first. But eventually, the periodic and equally
rambling gravelly responses seem satisfied, meaning the
emissary has deigned to hear you out. Now, you just have to
try to coax the information out of it.
School conjuration (calling) [earth]; Effective Level
6th
Skill Checks Diplomacy vs. Diplomacy -4, 6
successes
Casting Time 6 hours
Components M, S, V (must speak Terran)
Material Components—the name of a designated
emissary; precious gems and minerals as gift (worth
at least 2,000 gp)
Range close (40 ft.)
Target one called creature
Duration see text
Saving Throw none; SR no
Description
You call a specific earth elemental from the
ancient realms of stone, buried far below the
common lands.
With the name of a designated emissary on
your lips, you beseech the earth for assistance.
However, the slow, deliberate mind of dirt and
rock demands delicacy. You must negotiate
with the emissary, honoring the rich traditions
and following the tedious protocol. Only with
—7—
successful negotiations can you hope to appease
the stone.
You summon a large earth elemental (see
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary) and must
negotiate with it. With successful negotiations, the
emissary will become a willing and considerate
guide for you and your party.
While a guide, the emissary will travel with
you for a designated time (see below). Though
it is travelling with you, you must still negotiate
for any information or specific action. This is
accomplished by making requests using the
Diplomacy skill (see Pathfinder Roleplaying
Game). The emissary will defend itself, but it will
not otherwise enter combat without a successful
request. The emissary is bound by custom to
travel with you and assist in good faith as it can
(according to the rules of Diplomacy), but it is not
under your control.
The values of the initial 6 opposed Diplomacy
checks have bearing on the incantation’s effects,
so keep track of them. It is the amounts that
you won or lost by that are important. If you
succeeded in negotiations, determine the greatest
value that you won by: that is, subtract your
opponent’s result from yours for each success and
record the highest value. This determines the
incantation’s duration. Alternately, if you lost, do
the same for each lost check. This determines the
extent of failure.
Won by… Emissary stays for…
4 or less 1 hour
5-9 2 hours
10-14 3 hours
15 or higher 4 hours
Lost by… Result
9 or less Failure
10 or more Failure, and emissary attacks

Backlash
Those of the air realms are offended by your
entreaties to the earth. Creatures with the air
descriptor are hostile toward you.
Failure
If you fail two consecutive skill checks, you
insult the emissary. If all of your failed checks
missed by 9 or less, the emissary departs and
you are considered hostile to the lands of stone.
Any creature with the earth descriptor that you
encounter from now on is hostile toward you. At
the GMs discretion, the very land may become
hostile toward you, such as by occasionally
altering terrain to your detriment and other
similar effects.
If any of your failed checks was failed by 10 or
more, the emissary also attacks you.
You can redeem a previous failure by
performing this incantation again, but each
performance after a failure doubles the cost and
provides an additional +2 to your opponent’s
opposed Diplomacy checks.
Reaping the Whirlwind
The windmill looms behind, its great sails motionless in the
still air. Invoking the wind, you begin to recite the ancient
rhyme, stirring the sky. Darker and darker clouds gather
above as you find yourself taking the first slow, tentative
dancing steps in sync with the chant. Amid the increasingly
violent collisions of hot and cold air above, the charged
atmosphere unleashes gusting winds and chilled rain. You
are turning now, in a circular motion, mimicking the cyclone.
Faster and faster, you can no longer hear yourself over the
howling winds. Exhausted from the frenzy, you are lost in
the rapture of the moment. Then, from churning sky, the
whirlwind descends.
Incantations in Theory and Practice
School evocation (air); Effective Level 8th
Skill Checks in order—Knowledge (religion) DC 28,
1 success; Perform (act, comedy, oratory, or sing)
DC 28, 1 success; Knowledge (nature) DC 28, 4
successes; Perform (act, comedy, or dance) DC 28, 1
success; Fly DC 28, 1 success
Components DF, M, S, V
Casting Time 80 minutes
Range long (800 ft.)
Area cyclone 10 ft. wide at base, 30 ft. wide at top, and
30 ft. tall
Duration 8 minutes
Saving Throw Reflex negates; SR yes
Description
You call forth from the heavens a cyclone—or, if
at sea, a waterspout—with all the force and power
of a whirlwind spell (see Pathfinder Roleplaying
Game), although it manifests for longer.
The incantation begins by begging the powers
of nature for forgiveness—or, if it is your desire, to
raise their ire—by your request to evoke a cyclone.
This must be done within 400 ft. of a structure
that harnesses or otherwise expresses the power
and majesty of wind. For example, this structure
could be a windmill, a battlement sporting
pennants, a tower anchoring a kite, or if at sea,
the unfurled canvas sails of a ship. (In the absence
of such a structure, a flagpole will suffice that can
be constructed at a cost of 500 gp.)
The rhythmic chanting (Perform check) must
be done adequately to appease—or anger—the
divine powers, but you must also have a thorough
understanding of the natural lore underlying the
words of the ancient rhyme to exploit the magic
being released.
After the Knowledge (nature) checks, the dark
skies deliver a driving cold rain and gusts of
wind—a harbinger of the whirlwind to be released.
Wind conditions are severe, with wind gusts up to
50 mph: ranged attacks and flying creatures both
suffer a -4 penalty, small creatures are prevented
—8—
from moving against the wind (Strength DC 10),
and tiny creatures are blown away; spellcasters
must make a concentration checks when casting
spells (DC = 5 + level of spell).
The circular motion of the dancing (Perform
check) must be executed to stir the air in the
proper direction: counterclockwise in the
northern hemisphere, clockwise in the southern
hemisphere.
Finally, the Fly check infers knowledge of
atmospheric conditions, such as how the collisions
of hot and cold air, the heating of air in the upper
atmosphere, and the convergence of high and
low pressure systems all converge in the creation
of cyclones. Making this check is crucial to
controlling the whirlwind once it spawns.
If the incantation is successful, the cyclone
appears at a spot of your choosing within 400 ft.
Within the range of the cyclone, the localized
weather is a tornado with winds up to 300 mph:
ranged attacks are impossible, huge creatures
must make Strength checks to move forward,
large creatures risk being knocked prone and
rolled, and all flying creatures take a -16 penalty
to Fly checks (see wind effects in Pathfinder
Roleplaying Game). Outside the immediate
vicinity of the cyclone and stretching for 5 miles
in all directions, weather conditions are as a
thunderstorm with accompanying winds up to 74
mph (see Pathfinder Roleplaying Game for more
details on weather effects).
Note, you have the option of approaching the
winds with either respect or hostility. This may
or may not have ramifications for your character
and the game world at the GM’s discretion. If you
use Perform (comedy) for either of your Perform
checks, however, you are automatically choosing
an antagonistic or hostile approach. The winds
are not renowned for their sense of humor.

Secondary Performers
Though not required, secondary performers
traditionally encircle the primary performer,
moving around the ring in rhythm to the chanting
in a direction opposite of the primary performer.
Because this incantation requires checks on five
different skills, it rarely is attempted without
secondary performers.
Backlash
Performing the ritual leaves you and any
secondary performers exhausted.
Failure
The consequences of failure depend on the point
during the incantation it occurs.
If the failure takes place before the Fly check,
then the divine powers unleash their fury on the
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Incantations in Theory and Practice
impudence of the primary performer in the form
of a lightning bolt spell that deals 1d6 electricity
damage/skill check attempted.
If the failure occurs after two unsuccessful
Fly checks, then the cyclone is unleashed, but
it cannot be controlled. It drops down on top of
you, and you are subject to the full effect of the
cyclone, as described in the whirlwind spell (see
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game). In all likelihood,
secondary performers in the vicinity will also
be swept up by the cyclone. The cyclone moves
randomly from that point for the full duration
of the incantation, unless it exceeds its range,
whereupon it dissipates within 1d3 rounds.
Regardless, you cannot regain control of the
cyclone. Ω
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