Deadly Nightshade

School necromancy [evil, Poison]; Level: cleric 5, Druid 4, sorcerer/wizard 4, witch 4

Components: V, S, DF

Casting Time: 1 round

Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./level)

Effect: See text

Duration: 1 round/2 levels

Saving Throw: Fort negates; Spell Resistance: yes

This spell causes areas of normal vegetation (grasses, briars, bushes, creepers, thistles, vines, and so on) within close range (25 feet + 5 feet per caster level) to sprout poisonous deadly nightshade plants. At your option, the area can be a 10-foot-radius circle, a 15-foot-radius semicircle, or a 20-foot-radius quarter circle. The plants are 3 ft. high, and the entire area provides partial concealment for anything within it.

The plants seem possessed by an evil sentient spirit and lean hungrily toward any living thing entering their area, feebly entwining their poisonous stems and leafs around them. This does not entangle opponents, but the plants’ touch inflicts deadly necromantic poison that deals 1d2 Constitution damage per round for 5 rounds. A successful Fortitude save negates. Poisoned creatures can make a Fortitude save each round to negate the damage and end the affliction. Creatures that make their save become immune to the plants’ poison for the duration of the spell. The nightshade plants are not undead, but if a consecrate or positive energy burst is used in their area they will die within three rounds.

Diminish plants or antiplant shell counter this spell.

If a living creature of 3HD or less dies within the area of effect while the nightshade exists, the plants immediately infest it, and there is 25% chance it rises in 1d4 rounds as an uncontrolled zombie. However, only one such zombie may be created by the spell. When the spell ends, or as soon as a zombie is created, all nightshade plants in the area of effect wither and crumble into harmless dust.