Baneful Dust of Hermes Trismegistus

Description

Similar to the Dust of Suleiman, this spell only affects creatures of non-terrestrial origin (that excludes humans, deep ones, ghouls, sand dwellers, serpent people, etc., but not flying polyps, elder things, mi-go, or star-spawn of Cthulhu, and so on). Anyone may use the gold-colored dust created by the spell.

The dust's effects are horrible and cost sensitive observers 0/1D3 Sanity points to see. A creature covered in the dust flinches and flails, and sometimes screams. Its body smokes and burns, as if eaten by powerful acid. Only the most fearsome entities continue to fight after an application of this terrible dust.

To apply the dust requires that the target be within throwing range. With a successful Throw roll, the dust burns the extraterrestrial creature for 2D6 points of damage. Armor does not protect against the dust. Each successful throw of the dust causes the same damage. If the Throw is missed, the nimbus of the dust still inflicts 1 hit point of damage. The creature escapes damage only if the Throw roll is fumbled.

The formula for the dust requires uncommon chemicals and ingredients in a proportion of combined weight roughly equal to two pounds. Two ounces of this concoction is enough for one dose. Sixteen doses can be made each time the formula is prepared. Brewing the dust is a consuming job, taking 24 hours to prepare and dry the mixture. 4 magic points are invested, and a successful Science (Chemistry, Pharmacy) or Medicine roll is required for a batch to work; the Keeper should make this roll in secret, as the caster should have no idea if a batch will be effective.

Alternative names: Rain of Doom, Curse of the Seven Senses, Bane of the Hell Spawn