By using this spell, the caster creates a magical ward that has two major
effects; first of all, it affects a doorway or item that opens (a chest, for
instance) as if it were a hold portal spell, keeping it securely locked and closed. Secondly, if the protected
doorway is forced open by any means, magical or physical, the sign is not only
destroyed, but also strikes the offending creature for 1d8 points of damage +1 point
of damage per level of the caster. The duration of this spell is either one
day per level of the caster or until discharged, whichever happens first. The
exact form of energy is chosen by the caster when he creates the lesser sign;
acid, cold, fire, electricity, or sonic disruption are popular choices.
The sign is not hidden or concealed in any way and is usually quite prominent
on the item or portal it protects. The caster cannot specify particular
creatures or conditions for the lesser sign’s operation; it functions against any
creature that attempts to pass it (except for extraplanar creatures of 6 HD or more
and wizards of higher level than the caster—they can merely ignore it as if it
were not there). The sign cannot be dispelled by spells of lower spell levels
such as knock, but the caster can remove it any time he chooses, thus ending
the spell, or it can be defeated by an erase spell cast by a wizard of equal or
higher level than the original caster.
The material component for a lesser sign can be a pinch of either powdered diamond (cold), ruby (fire), emerald (acid),
pearl (sonic disruption, or sapphire (electricity), depending on the type of
energy the wizard wishes the sign to employ. The value of the gemstone must be
at least 100 gold pieces.
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