Tasirin's haunted sleep puts a sleeping creature into a much deeper sleep, such that early awakening from this state can be accomplished only by limited wish, dispel magic, acute physical pain (wounding), or at the caster's command. The state of deep sleep lasts for one turn per level of the caster.
This spell can be cast successfully only upon a sleeping creature—those unconscious, entranced, drugged, in a coma or similar state of mental injury resulting from concussion, potion, or astral or psionic activity are not affected. The target creature is allowed a saving throw vs. spell, which if successful negates the haunted sleep. The caster is never directly aware of the target's thoughts or mental state, or of the success of the spell.
While in such a deep sleep, the creature is open to the influence of subconscious visions or dreams. The caster can project one specific scene or vision into natural mental activity, and this will come into the victim's consciousness soon after awakening. The vision's clarity, detail, and accuracy depend upon the caster's concentration, for the scene must be held in mind during the casting.
Such visions can masquerade as memories or divine communications, and can be used to influence decisions, goad the recipient into a certain course of action, trouble the recipient, or, conversely, to calm and rest the recipient at a time of mental anguish or troubles. A spellcaster skilled in the use of this spell can boost morale, joy, or enthusiasm—or crush it.
During "haunted sleep," the recipient is especially susceptible to any one suggestion spell, which can be cast by the caster of the haunted sleep or another spellcaster. The sleeping creature saves at -3. The suggestion will be "heard" as an inner mental voice, and must be in a language that the recipient understands or it will fail.
Should the creature be protected in slumber (as by a protection from evil spell) the haunted sleep may have no effect at all, depending on the intentions and motives of the caster-attempts to deceive or manipulate will absolutely fail.
Notes: Uncommon or rare spell from the Forgotten Realms setting. Known to be in The Wizard's Workbook.