This spell transforms the caster’s body into living iron, which grants him
several powerful resistances and abilities. While the spell is in effect, the
caster can only be injured by blunt weapons of +3 or better value, or monsters of
8+3 Hit Dice or more. Slashing weapons, falling, crushing, and constriction
attacks of all types are completely unable to harm the caster, although an attack
may knock him off-balance or pin him beneath tons of debris. Spells or attacks
that affect the subject’s physiology or respiration—for example, poison, cloudkill, enfeeblement, contagion, or pain touch—fail completely, since the caster has no physiology or respiration while the spell is in effect. Also, spells that
have weight limits should be applied to the wizard as if he weighed over 3,000
pounds. The wizard ignores electrical attacks and saves at +4 against fire
attacks. If he saves, he takes quarter damage; if not, he takes half damage. If hit
with a rod of smiting, he takes 2d8+6 points of damage unless the attacker rolls a natural 20. If
this occurs, then the damage is doubled.
In addition to the natural immunities of an iron body, the wizard enjoys
powerful offensive abilities. His Strength score is raised to 20 (+3 to attack
rolls, +8 damage) for the duration of the spell, and he can punch or bludgeon his
enemies twice per round for 1d4 points of damage per blow, plus his Strength
bonus. Unfortunately, his movement becomes slow and awkward, so he is reduced to a
move of 3 and suffers a –2 penalty to his initiative rolls (or a reduction of
his base phase by one step, in Player’s Option: Combat & Tactics). Most importantly, the wizard’s clumsiness and lack of breath prevent him
from casting any spells while the iron body is in effect.
Iron body may create additional hazards for the wizard as the DM deems
appropriate. For example, rust monsters are extremely dangerous to a wizard using this
spell. Heat metal spells inflict double damage to the caster. And, naturally, the wizard sinks
like a stone in water—although he could survive the crushing pressure and lack
of air at the bottom of the ocean—at least until the spell expired. Some magical
items, such as potions or winded instruments, may be temporarily unusable as
well.
The material component for this spell is a small piece of iron that once
belonged to an iron golem.
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