This spell enables a priestess of Shiallia to mitigate the pains of giving birth. By laying both hands on a pregnant female's belly (or above her womb), the Shiallian can ease labor pains, correct complications like a breech birth, and otherwise make labor as easy and painless as possible. No saving throw is required for this version of the spell and the spell's effect last throughout the birth process as long as the Shiallian maintains contact with the mother and/or child.
The reverse of this spell, inflict labor, afflicts the target with all the pains of labor. For the reversed form, the spellcaster need not maintain contact with the spell's target beyond the initial touch, which requires a successful attack roll to establish if the victim is not immobile, restrained, or unaware. Spell effects are split into three phases. The first two phases last three rounds each, and the final phase lasts one round per the caster's level to a maximum of nine rounds.
In the first phase, spell recipients feel violently nauseated and cannot cast spells, communicate, or attack. They can only defend themselves or move at half their normal movement rate.
In the second phase, spell recipients are fatigued and cannot perform any action requiring significant amounts of energy. Physical combat is not possible, nor is running, but spellcasting is possible, as is defending oneself or moving at a normal movement rate.
In the third phase, spell recipients suffer increasing amounts of pain. For each round this phase lasts, victims suffer increasing amounts of phantom hit point damage and a temporary loss of Strength. In the first round, the target suffers 1 hit point of phantom damage, in the second round 2 hit points, in the third round 4 hit points, etc. Strength drops at a similar rate (1 point, 2 points, 4 points, etc.). When Strength or hit points drop to zero, the victim falls unconscious for the rest of the spell's duration. Spellcasting, physical attacks, and movement are not possible during this phase.
Strength and hit points lost to this spell are regained at the same rate they were lost after the spell ends. Males get no saving throw v. the reverse form of this spell, and female are entitled to a saving throw vs. spell to avoid the effect only if they have given birth at least once previously. Pregnant creatures of any kind cannot be affected by inflict labor, as Shiallia's will forbids it.
The material component for this spell is an acorn.
Notes: Granted by the goddess Shiallia, of the Forgotten Realms setting. Granted by the dwarven goddess Sharindlar.