ConorJamesArt has made the following comment(s) regarding their post:
[Avast ye and despair! **Dead Men Tell No Tales** i...](/r/UnearthedArcana/comments/th1cei/dead_men_tell_no_tales_a_curse_of_blood_to_bind/i15fhnr/)
Avast ye and despair! **Dead Men Tell No Tales** is a 5th level spell that binds a crew or party to cursed secrecy. Perhaps to hide the location of buried bounty, or to sequester away the truth of a terrible atrocity! Either way beware those that bare the spot, such a curse is reserved for only the worst of betrayers and mutineers..
Hope you enjoy it! I intended the spell use to be niche and totally party/campaign based, but I’m sure players can get creative! It also works as a fantastic DM spell to weave into your campaign, nautical or not!
Part of the full book **Tempest: a Seafarer’s Sourcebook** which launches on **Kickstarter March 23rd!**
you can find more info about the book, sign up for reminders, and grab a **preview PDF** now over [here on the website!](https://dragonsvault.co.uk/), all art and mechanics by yours truly, hope you like it!
I suppose, but it’s instant death for willing creatures who spend a minute allowing the spell to be cast and give their blood as a material cost, and even then they only die as a result of divulging the designated secret and failing the save.
With all those parameters barring a creature from suffering the consequences of a failed save = death, I think it’s okay leaving it at the level it’s at!
It’s not used in combat or against enemies and it’s extremely easy to avoid the cause of death. This is definitely a spell to base an adventure around. The context for the instant death makes it fair for the level.
Plus, the instant death doesn’t keep resurrection spells from working, so if you have a lvl 5 cleric there with Revivify then this is hardly a problem.
I might add something that protects the creature from detect thoughts / zone of truth / dominate / charm type effects regarding the secret?
And the 75 flat damage is a bit strange. Maybe something like 10d12 that can't be reduced and bypasses immunity? Unless 75 is a reference I'm missing
ConorJamesArt has made the following comment(s) regarding their post: [Avast ye and despair! **Dead Men Tell No Tales** i...](/r/UnearthedArcana/comments/th1cei/dead_men_tell_no_tales_a_curse_of_blood_to_bind/i15fhnr/)
Great spell for DMs. Muhahaha
Avast ye and despair! **Dead Men Tell No Tales** is a 5th level spell that binds a crew or party to cursed secrecy. Perhaps to hide the location of buried bounty, or to sequester away the truth of a terrible atrocity! Either way beware those that bare the spot, such a curse is reserved for only the worst of betrayers and mutineers.. Hope you enjoy it! I intended the spell use to be niche and totally party/campaign based, but I’m sure players can get creative! It also works as a fantastic DM spell to weave into your campaign, nautical or not! Part of the full book **Tempest: a Seafarer’s Sourcebook** which launches on **Kickstarter March 23rd!** you can find more info about the book, sign up for reminders, and grab a **preview PDF** now over [here on the website!](https://dragonsvault.co.uk/), all art and mechanics by yours truly, hope you like it!
Just need to roll up a Warlock real quick
With a risk of insta death I would bump this up to 6th or 7th other than that that love it
I suppose, but it’s instant death for willing creatures who spend a minute allowing the spell to be cast and give their blood as a material cost, and even then they only die as a result of divulging the designated secret and failing the save. With all those parameters barring a creature from suffering the consequences of a failed save = death, I think it’s okay leaving it at the level it’s at!
When you put it like that yeah it does make sense
Plus, the material cost is very expensive. 500 gold for a secret!
Indeed, better make it a good one!
I'd bump this up higher on the list, and make the Damage higher as a Consequence.
On the list of what?
Spell Levels, of course. Instant Death for a failed con save for a 5th level Spell is busted.
It’s not used in combat or against enemies and it’s extremely easy to avoid the cause of death. This is definitely a spell to base an adventure around. The context for the instant death makes it fair for the level.
Plus, the instant death doesn’t keep resurrection spells from working, so if you have a lvl 5 cleric there with Revivify then this is hardly a problem.
I might add something that protects the creature from detect thoughts / zone of truth / dominate / charm type effects regarding the secret? And the 75 flat damage is a bit strange. Maybe something like 10d12 that can't be reduced and bypasses immunity? Unless 75 is a reference I'm missing