Powers & Pantheons Version[]
This spell enables spellcasters to draw upon Gargauth's divine power to permanently augment their abilities . In exchange for this beneficence, Gargauth extracts a dreadful price, and due to the price he requires, the casting of this spell is a patently evil act .
When cast, this spell permanently raises one ability score (or two subability scores if the optional rules from PLAYER'S OPTION: Skills & Powers are employed) by 1 point, to a maximum of 18. To maintain this augmentation the spellcaster must corrupt one individual in a position of power or sacrifice one helpless sentient every quarter (three months) in Gargauth's name. If this diabolical contract is ever broken for any reason, the spellcaster immediately loses 3 points in the augmented ability (or subabilities), for a net loss of 2 points in the ability (or subability) score(s).
Multiple castings of Astaroth's augmentation can be used by the same spellcaster. Dispel magic and similar spells have no effect on the augmentation. No one short of a demipower and nothing short of a wish, artifact, or relic can end this spell's contract without causing the increased ability score loss above and beyond the spell-given gain. Users of Astaroth's augmentation often fall into a trap of casting this spell, failing to fulfill the contract, and then having to cast the spell twice again just to regain their original abilities. If any ability score falls below 3 due to the cumulative accumulation of this spell's penalties, the spellcaster is immediately transformed into a lemure (the lowest form of baatezu) and transported to Baator. The spellcaster is then irrevocably dead, short of a wish. All such victims' items are randomly teleported about the plane of their death upon their demise.
The material components of this spell is the priest's holy symbol (not necessarily one consecrated to Gargauth), three yellow feathers, and a ruby worth at least 25 gp.
Priest's Spell Compendium Version[]
When cast, this spell permanently raises one ability score (or two sub ability scores if the optional rules from Player's Option: Skills & Powers are employed) by 1 point, to a maximum of 18. To maintain this augmentation, the spellcaster must corrupt one individual in a position of power or sacrifice one helpless sentient every quarter (three months) in Gargauth's name. If this diabolical contract is ever broken for any reason, the spellcaster immediately loses 3 points in the augmented ability (or sub abilities), for a net loss of 2 points in the ability (or sub ability) score(s).
Multiple castings of Astaroth's augmentation can be used by the same spellcaster. Dispel magic and similar spells have no effect on the augmentation. No one short of a demipower and nothing short of a wish, artifact, or relic can end this spell's contract without causing the increased ability score loss above and beyond the spell-given gain. Users of Astaroth's augmentation often fall into a trap of casting this spell, failing to fulfill the contract and then having to cast the spell twice again just to regain their original abilities. If any ability score falls below 3, due to the cumulative accumulation of this spell's penalties, the spellcaster is immediately transformed into a lemure (the lowest form of baatezu) and transported to Baator. The spellcaster is then irrevocably dead, short of a wish. All such subjects' items are randomly teleported about the plane of their death upon their demise.
This spell enables spellcasters to draw upon Gargauth's divine power to permanently augment their abilities. In exchange for this beneficence, Gargauth extracts a dreadful price, and due to the price he requires, the casting of this spell is a patently evil act.
The material components of this spell are the priest's holy symbol (not necessarily one consecrated to Gargauth), three yellow feathers, and a ruby worth at least 25 gp.
Notes: Granted by the evil demigod Gargauth of the Forgotten Realms setting.