Sand Whisper

(Alteration) Level: 1st Range: Touch Components: V, S, M Area of Effect: 1 creature or item Casting Time: 1 Duration: 1 round/level + 1d4 rounds Saving Throw: Neg. This spell causes silence to reign in the area immediately surrounding a touched item or creature. The effects resemble those of the priest spell silence, 15' radius, but without the area effect. The target is muffled: All sounds emanating from the target including those caused by something striking it - are transmitted far away and emitted in a random location (defined below). Likewise, sounds created by something held by or attached to the target are randomly displaced. The recipient item or being is allowed a saving throw. If the saving throw succeeds, the spell fails and is lost. As usual, a recipient who wishes to be silenced (such as the caster himself) can waive his saving throw. Unlike the silence spell, sand whisper does not prevent the recipient from speaking words of activation, such as those for magical items. Nor does it prevent him from uttering the vocal components of spellcasting. The recipient's ability to cast a spell is unchanged as long as that spell's effect is not sound-based. (The shout spell, for example, won't work.) Noise-based attacks (such as the wail of a banshee or roar of an androsphinx) are not cancelled. They still occur, but like any sound, their effects are turned elsewhere. Where, then, do the muffled sounds go? They emanate from random locations as far from their actual source as 2d6 miles plus 1 mile per level of the caster. The new location may lie in any of the eight cardinal directions from the source - north, south, east, west, and their combinations - but not up or down. (The DM rolls 1d8 and assigns a direction to each result.) Other individuals at these locations can hear the sounds clearly. These (often confused) individuals are vulnerable to the effects of any sound-based attack cast against the recipient. Due to the injury, confusion, and annoyance such errant sounds can cause, several local emirs have forbidden the use of this spell within 20 miles of their palaces. Other rulers both permit and enjoy these interruptions. If the errant sounds appear interesting, the emirs may send out guards or wizards to investigate. Adventurers should check local customs before casting sand whisper. The material component of this spell is two handfuls of sand, sprinkled upon the recipient. In combat, a successful attack roll may be required to apply the sand.