Sanity Magic

S
anity magic is most often practised by warlocks Sharing the Secret
whose patron is the Great Old Ones. Many Sanity 1st level Necromancy
magic spells make use of the optional ability Casting Time: 1 reaction
score Sanity. In games where Sanity is not in use, Range: 60 feet
substitute Wisdom. Components: V
Duration: Instantaneous
Note to DMs, many of the spells presented here are more Your mind lashes out in response to being targeted by a
powerful than similar spells of the same level. This accounts magical attack. You make a contested Sanity save against the
for the fact that many of these spells can also have attacker. You have advantage in the contest. The loser takes
detrimental effects on the caster and/or their allies. Please 1d6 psychic damage, loses 1 point of sanity (which returns
allow these spells with caution and awareness of this. after 24 hours), then rolls short term madness (from
Dungeon Masters Guide).
The Place of Dead Roads
Divination Cantrip
Summon the Traveller
Casting Time: 1 hour 1st level Conjuration
Range: Self
Casting Time: 1 hour (Ritual)
Components: V
Range: Circle
Duration: Up to 1 day
Components: V, Special
You cast your mind into the depth of the far reaches, seeking Duration: Up to 10 minutes
answers. Your mind travels to the Place of Dead Roads. Upon
You call out for one of the great travellers to converse with
arriving, you may ask any question. Your question could be
you and perhaps share some great secret of power. You may
advice regarding a current situation, knowledge, or
request a specific name, but there is no guarantee that this is
something else. Make a Sanity save. Depending on the
who will answer.
results of the save and the type of information asked for, the
This spell does not behold the summoned entity to any
DM will provide a response.
specific action or aid, and this is determined by actions after
DM Guidance: Beings and forces encountered during a
the entity has arrived.
vision of the Place of Dead Roads are by their very definition
Special: Casting this ritual requires a sacrifice of sanity. If
cryptic, and as such often a correct answer will be obtained,
one person casts the ritual on their own, they make a sanity
though it may be cloaked in layers of confusion.
save (DC=25) and lose 1 point of Sanity for each 5 points
they fail by. Each additional person who aids in the ritual
Blood of My Blood adds +5 to the DC, but can add their roll to the primary
1st level Necromancy
casters to compete against the DC. Characters who do not
Casting Time: 1 hour (Ritual) possess a sanity score gain one by participating in or
Range: Circle witnessing this ritual.
Components: V, Special
Duration: 1 hour / permanent Tearing the Living Flesh
You place a sacrifice (which must be a living creature with 2nd Level Transmutation
intelligence greater than 4) within a ritual circle, marked with Casting Time: 1 Action
symbols and words in the crawling language R'lyehian. As Range: Touch
the ritual begins, tentacles rise up within the circle, grasping Components: V, S
the sacrifice and beginning to slowly, agonisingly leach the Duration: 1 minute per level
life from it. The ritual completes as the sacrifice dies, and all
This spell functions like alter self, except that you shift only
but one tentacle retract back into the depths of the void. The
aspects of the individual's physiology. The shift can grant
remaining tentacle shrinks, then dies, falling to the ground in
features such as additional sets of limbs, tentacles, wings,
the heart of the circle. If the tentacle is consumed raw within
tails, claws, or pincers, increased muscle mass, or any
1 hour the consumer gains a permanent bonus to hit points
combination of these.
equal to the hit points of the sacrifice.
Upon changing, the subject regains lost hit points as if it
Special: When cast as a 1st level spell, the maximum hit
had rested for a night (though this healing does not restore
dice of the sacrifice is equal to 1 + the casters Sanity
temporary ability damage and provide other benefits of
modifier.
resting; and changing back does not heal the subject further).
When cast using a higher level spell slot: The maximum hit
If slain, the subject reverts to its original form, though it
dice of the sacrifice is equal to (level spell is cast at) + (the
remains dead.
casters Sanity modifier x level spell is cast at).
The subjects Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution may be
altered, but it retains its own Intelligence, Wisdom, and
Charisma scores. It also gains all extraordinary special
Tentacle from Beyond
Large Outsider, chaotic neutral
attacks associated with the new body features.
Incorporeal or gaseous creatures are immune to being Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
bodyshifted, and a creature with the shapechanger subtype Hit Points 160 (20d10+40)
can revert to its natural form as a standard action. Speed 0
When cast, up to 1d4 bodyshifts can be chosen.
When casting the spell at a higher level: An additional 2
bodyshifts can be added per spell level. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
19 (+5) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) * * *
Bodyshift Choices
Shift Benefit
Condition Immunites exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed,
Claws Gain proficiency with unarmed attacks and petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, unconscious
unarmed attacks deal 1d10 slashing damage Damage Immunites Bludgeoning, Slashing, Piercing
Extra arm Gain an additional attack when taking the damage except by magical weapons
attack action Senses Tremorsense
Languages none
Extra legs Gain 5 feet movement speed and advantage
(2) against any attempt to trip or unbalance
Facial Gain a tentacle attack which deals 1d4 Actions
Tentacles bludgeoning damage and grapples the target Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., one
on a hit. target. Hit 5 (1d6 + 2) Melee weapon attack: +10 to
Increased Your Constitution increases to 19. This has hit. Reach 20ft. One target. Hit (3d8+5) bludgeoning
Constitution no effect if your Constitution is already 19 or damage. If target is a creature it is grappled (Escape
greater. DC=18). Until the grapple ends, the target is
restrained, and the tentacle cannot attack another
Increased Your Dexterity increases to 19. This has no target.
Dexterity effect if your Dexterity is already 19 or
greater. Bash. Melee weapon attack. +10 to hit. Target is denied
Increased Your Strength increases to 19. This has no armor bonus. Tentacle can only Bash a target which
Strength effect if your Strength is already 19 or began the round already grappled. One target. Hit
greater. (3d10+5) bludgeoning damage. After a successful
Bash attack, the Tentacle can drag the grappled target
Pincers Gain proficiency with unarmed strikes and 5 feet towards itself.
unarmed attacks deal 1d8 bludgeoning
damage and grapples an opponent on a hit. Devour. Tentacle can only use devour on a grappled
Tail Gain a tail attack which deals 1d8 target within 5 feet of itself. Tentacle does not roll to
bludgeoning damage and knocks an hit. Tentacle and Grappled target make opposed
opponent prone on a hit. strength checks. If the tentacle wins, the target is
pulled through the opening and into the black void
Wings Gain a fly speed equal to double your beyond.
movement.

Grasp into Darkness Tendrils from a Broken Mind

2nd level Conjuration 2nd Level Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 1 Action
Range: 30 feet Range: 30 feet
Components: V, Special Components: V, S
Duration: Up to 1 minute Duration: Instantaneous
You open a passage which allows a being from beyond to You focus your mind on the insanity dwelling within the
reach into our world. A hole opens in the ground at the darkest parts of your own mind. Make a Sanity Check. Any
targeted location and 1d6 tentacles reach through from the creature with Intelligence greater than 4 within 30 feet must
blackness. All creatures with intelligence 7 or less then make a Sanity Save (DC equals your check result).
immediately run in terror as far from the tentacles as they On a successful save, A creature with Intelligence greater
can (no save). All creatures with intelligence 8 or higher make than 4 takes 1d20 points of psychic damage and roll Short
a sanity save (DC=20 - casters sanity bonus). The tentacles Term Madness.
remain for 1d10 rounds and attempt to grapple the nearest On a failed save, A creature with Intelligence greater than
individual, as per the profile below. 4 takes 4d6 points of psychic damage, rolls Long Term
Madness, and has their sanity score permanently reduced to
be equal to your sanity score. (If the target already has a
lower sanity, they lose 1d4 sanity instead). As the spell
completes, roll Short Term Madness.
The Darkness Feasts Nightmare
3rd level Conjuration 5th-level illusion
Casting Time: 1 minute Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Special Range: Special
Components: V, Special Components: V, S, M (a handful of blackened sand)
Duration: Concentration, Up to 10 minutes Duration: 8 hours
You cry out in R'lyehian for the Blackness from the Stars. This spell shapes a creature’s dreams. Choose a creature
The blackness appears, blotting out the sky from horizon to known to you as the target of this spell. The target must be on
horizon with an inky blackness. All creatures within 120 feet the same plane of existence as you. Creatures that don’t
who can see make a perception check (DC 15). If passed, they sleep, such as elves, can’t be affected by this spell. You, or a
see eyes peering down from within the darkness. All willing creature you touch, enters a trance state, acting to
creatures within 120 feet who can see the blackness make a focus the nightmare. For each hour you spend focusing the
sanity save (DC 15 if perception was failed or DC 20 if nightmare, the creature must make a Sanity save. If you
perception was passed). Creatures who fail the save have spend more than 4 hours focusing the nightmare then further
their movement reduced to 5 feet and suffer disadvantage on saves are made with disadvantage.
all checks. Each round, they make make another roll to break The focus can shape the environment of the dream,
free. Any creature may sacrifice 1 permanent point of sanity creating landscapes, objects, and other images, choosing to
to ignore this effect. pry into the deepest fears of the creature in order to spark its
While this spell remains active, you can choose to feast on fear. The focus can emerge from the trance at any time,
the insanity generated by the presence of the Blackness. ending the effect of the spell early. If the target is awake when
Feasting is a full round action which heals you to full and you cast the spell, the focus knows it, and can either end the
restores all spells. You feel rested as if you have just had a full trance (and the spell) or wait for the target to fall asleep, at
night's sleep. Make a sanity save (DC 20 - Warlock level). If which point the focus appears in the target’s dreams. The
the spell has affected less than 20 creatures, roll Short Term focus appears monstrous and terrifying to the target. If the
Insanity on a failed roll. If the spell has affected more than 20 focus ends the spell early, echoes of nightmarish monstrosity
creatures, roll Long Term Insanity on a failed roll and Short spawn a terror that lasts the duration of the target’s sleep and
Term Insanity on a success. prevents the target from gaining any benefit from that rest. In
addition, when the target wakes up, for each failed save, it
Sharing the Secret takes takes 1d6+5 psychic damage and 1 point of Sanity
3rd level Necromancy damage (which returns after 24 hours). If you have a body
part, lock of hair, clipping from a nail, or similar portion of the
Casting Time: 1 reaction
target’s body, the target makes its saving throw with
Range: 60 feet
disadvantage.
Components: V
Duration: Instantaneous
The Stars Align
Your mind lashes out in response to being targeted by a 9rd level Conjuration
magical attack. You make a contested Sanity save against the Casting Time: 8 hours (minus 1 hour for each additional
attacker. You have advantage in the contest. The loser takes caster, minimum 1 hour)
6d6 psychic damage, loses 1d4 points of sanity (which Range: Special
returns after 24 hours), and rolls short term madness. Components: V, Special
Duration: Special
Dark Compulsion
4th-level enchantment You cry out in R'lyehian and command that the stars
themselves obey. During the ritual, make a Sanity save every
Casting Time: 1 action
10 minutes. Consult with DM for resulting effects.
Range: 30 feet
As the ritual ends, the stars align themselves in a wait
Components: V
which serves as a boon for the Great Old Ones. During the
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
alignment, additional effects will begin to occur, prophecies
Creatures within range that can hear you must make a Sanity may come to pass, and the great old ones may awaken from
saving throw. A target automatically succeeds on this saving their timeless slumber.
throw if it can’t be charmed. On a failed save, a target is DM Guidance: Discovering, let alone casting of this spell,
affected by this spell. Until the spell ends, you can use a should often be an adventure in its own right. This spell can
bonus action on each of your turns to designate one effect of be used to enact large scale, lasting change upon a world, in
your choice from the short term madness table. Each affected ways which a player may not expect. It is advised that if a
target suffers from this choice until its turn. On the creatures player is allowed to learn this spell, the DM should have
turn it can make another Sanity save to try to end the effect. contingencies in place for reacting to it.
On a failure, the creature continues to be affected.
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