A Love-Letter
to Litanies
Litanies are an interesting little group of spells from Ultimate Combat that you may not be aware of. They’re kind of quirky. In addition to the fact that they appear in a book about fighters, barbarians, and other martial characters, they’re exclusive to paladins (and antipaladins, of course) and inquisitors. They’re all a swift action to use. Finally, and perhaps most intriguing of all, they all have a little sentence tacked on the end that “while subject to this spell, the target cannot be the target of another spell that has the word ‘litany’ in the title,” which feels like it would be more at home on a Magic: the Gathering card than on a Pathfinder spell.
Still, I find myself strangely interested in these short, sweet little prayers, and have decided to make a few more of them. Care to join me?
LITANY OF ACCURACY
School divination [language-dependent]; Level antipaladin 3, inquisitor 4, paladin 3
Casting Time 1 swift action
Components V, S, DF
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature
Duration 1 round
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)
This litany grants you, or an ally, a moment of fortuitous martial prowess, guiding a weapon to strike home with precision. The next time that the target makes an attack before the end of the spell’s duration, he gains a +5 insight bonus on the attack roll. If the attack results in a critical threat, he also gains this bonus on the confirmation roll. If the target does not make an attack before the end of the spell’s duration, the effect is wasted. While subject to this spell, the target cannot be the target of another spell that has the word "litany" in the title.
LITANY OF AWE
School enchantment (compulsion) [language-dependent, mind-affecting]; Level inquisitor 6
Casting Time 1 swift action
Components V, S, DF
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature
Duration 1 or more rounds; see text
Saving Throw none, see text; Spell Resistance yes
You proclaim the majesty and power of your faith, and your target is overcome with its power. The target is staggered. At the start of its turn each round, it can make a saving throw against the staggered effect (DC equal to litany of awe’s DC). If the target fails the save, it continues to be staggered. If it makes the save, the effect ends.
While subject to this spell, the target cannot be the target of another spell that has the word "litany" in the title.
LITANY OF ENTANGLEMENT, GREATER
School conjuration (calling) [language-dependent]; Level antipaladin 4, inquisitor 5, paladin 4
Casting Time 1 swift action
Components V, S, DF
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels); see text
Target one creature
Duration 1 round
Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
This functions as litany of entanglement, except that it can also affect flying creatures, as well as creatures that are not standing upon solid ground. In order to be affected, the flying creature must be within close range (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) horizontally, but can be as much as 100 feet up from you, and still be affected. A flying creature, or one not standing on solid ground, that is affected by this spell is pulled harmlessly to the ground and does not take fall damage as a result of the spell. The target is not automatically returned to where it was when the spell’s duration ends. While subject to this spell, the target cannot be the target of another spell that has the word "litany" in the title.
LITANY OF PROTECTION
School abjuration [language-dependent]; Level inquisitor 3, paladin 2
Casting Time 1 swift action
Components V, S, DF
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature
Duration 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
You proudly proclaim your faith and assurance in your protection, daring any to harm the target. The target gains a +1 bonus on the next saving throw he or she makes to resist the effects of a divine spell. Even after the target makes this saving throw, and is no longer subject to the +1 bonus, he or she continues to be protected by the litany, which prevents them from being affected by any other litanies. While subject to this spell, the target cannot be the target of another spell that has the word "litany" in the title.
LITANY OF WEAKNESS, GREATER
School necromancy [language-dependent]; Level antipaladin 2, inquisitor 2
Casting Time 1 swift action
Components V, S, DF
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature
Duration 2 rounds
Saving Throw Fortitude partial; Spell Resistance yes
Your litany proclaims the target feeble, and unable to fight. The target is exhausted for 1 round, and then fatigued for an additional round. If the target succeeds its saving throw, it is fatigued for two rounds, instead. While subject to this spell, the target cannot be the target of another spell that has the word "litany" in the title.