5e Grognard

Happy New Year to all! This is the last of the spell books from Dragon Magazine #92, by Ed Greenwood.  I only converted over 1 of the 4 spells that were listed with it, Grimwald's Greymantle, and I had to trim that down quite a bit.  Of the other spells, one was just a more powerful burning hands , which can be duplicated by using a higher level slot in 5e.  The other 2 had too many fiddly bits to make into usable spells. The Tome of the Covenant Appearance This book is large, square, and (judging from Elminster’s description) approximately two feet on a side. It is fashioned of cured white elkhide stretched over finger-thick boards of black wood, and both outside covers bear a rune in the center, depicting four arrows meeting in a circle, thus: Four white vellum pages are sewn to the hide spine within. History and Description The Tome is the creation of the four most powerful (of their time) mages of the North, who formed the Covenant, an alliance (b...

Another of the spells that can be found in the necromantic spellbook Cryptichronos causes the red death . Masque of Red Death  by Greg Hildebrandt Crimson Scourge 5th level necromancy Casting Time: 1 action Range: Touch Components: V, S, M (scarlet robe and a faceless red mask, both made from the finest silk, worth at least a 1,000 gp each) Duration: Special This terrible spell can affect one humanoid being.  Upon pronouncing the curse, you touch the victim, who gets a Constitution saving throw.  Failure results in the victim bleeding profusely through the pores of the skin, taking 1-2 hp damage per round until dead. Regular first aid cannot prevent this damage, and most magical curatives have no effect upon the affliction. Such spells as remove curse , and cure wounds can staunch the hemorrhaging, but hit points may be re-gained fully only through time and rest. A heal spell, on the other hand, can dispel the results of this evil magic ent...

Another of the spells that can be found in the necromantic spellbook  Cryptichronos   summons a hungry mist. Vampire Mist 4th level necromancy Casting Time: 1 action Range: 30 ft. Components: V, S Duration: 1 minute With this spell, you cause a pale, large sized cloud of chilling vapor to form at any desired spot within a 30’ radius. The vapor billows, shifts, and appears almost sentient even though it is not truly alive. It moves at a rate of 30 ft. per round, seeking out and enveloping the nearest life-form within reach of its gaseous tendrils (possibly attacking you if you do not take precautions). Once the spell is cast, you do not need to concentrate upon the magic in order for its effects to persist.  You do not have any control over the mist once the spell is cast.   The vapor can flow over 10’ high walls and can seep through even the smallest openings and cracks. It cannot pass through airtight barriers (such as a wall of  f...

One of the spells that can be found in the necromantic spellbook  Cryptichronos   is one that allows you to control an undead creature. Undead Control 3rd-level necromancy Casting Time: 1 action Range: 20 yards Components: V, S, M Duration: 1 hour You attempt to control a single undead creature you can see within range. It must make a Wisdom saving throw, and does so with advantage if you or your companions are fighting it. If it fails the saving throw, it is controlled by you until the spell ends or until you or your companions do anything harmful to it. The controlled creature regards you as a friendly acquaintance. When the spell ends, the creature knows it was controlled by you. The material component is an evil priest’s unholy symbol or some other properly cursed talisman forcefully presented to the affected monsters. The component is not lost in the casting and may be subsequently reused. At Higher Levels: You can control more powerful undead c...