# Hold Missiles

### by Rob McDonald (none.yet.com) on 96/04/29

## From the Spellbook of Caspern

### Human, Wizard, 11th level

Level
  3
School
Sphere
  Abj., Ench./Charm
Range
  10 yards/level
VSM
  V, S, M
Dur
  1 round/level
CT
  3
AE
  Plane of 25 ft2/level
ST
  None

### Spell description

This spell creates a plane of magical force through which missiles and hurled objects cannot immediately pass - this includes arrows, bolts, stones, axes, javelins, etc. Any missile entering the area from either side simply stops, remaining motionless where it flew until the spell ends, at which time it resumes its original trajectory. This plane need not be anchored to a wall or floor, nor need it be vertical or horizontal. The caster may align the plane however he sees fit within spell range, although it cannot be curved, and it must be rectangular in shape, not exceeding 25 square feet per caster level. Once established the plane cannot be moved. The plane is not visible, but the caster can see it with no difficulty, and spells such as DETECT MAGIC and TRUE SEEING will reveal it easily; DETECT INVISIBILITY will not locate the plane, as it has no physical form to see.
The HOLD MISSILES spell will only stop projectiles, i.e. objects hurled with force - it has no effect on dropped or flying objects (such as a SWORD OF DANCING). Likewise, HOLD MISSILES cannot affect living or animated creatures (birds, hovering skulls, etc.), even if the creature were, say, fired from a catapult. Although enchanted missiles such as ARROWS OF SLAYING and JAVELINS OF LIGHTNING are held by this spell, spell-created missiles like MAGIC MISSILE and FLAME ARROW are not, nor are energy discharges (e.g. LIGHTNING BOLT). Although there is no upper limit to the total weight of missiles being held, only individual objects of less than 10 lbs. per caster level will be stopped by this spell.
While missiles are being held they may be retrieved simply by "plucking" them from the air, thus rendering them harmless (although a JAVELIN OF LIGHTNING might prove problematic); however, there is a 5% (non-cumulative) chance per attempt that the disturbance foils the spell, allowing the missiles to resume their original courses. Unless ruined in this fashion, dispelled, or ended by a single word from the caster, the HOLD MISSILES spell lasts 1 round per caster level.
The material component is a feather, which is broken at the time the plane comes into being.