I noticed this particular classic hadn't been included in the HFH, so I rolled up my sleaves and here we go...
Extract Heart
Eldritch 3 (Black), Range: 30', Duration: Special
The caster reaches out his hand and grasps the target creature's beating heart from inside its chest. The target must make a saving throw versus Death to resist the spell, otherwise it suffers 1d10 damage and is helpless due to agonizing pain from the equivalent of a severe heart attack. When the caster's next initiative number comes up, if the caster maintains concentration on the spell, then the affected target must make another saving throw. On a successful save, the spell ends. On a failed save, the target remains helpless and suffers another 1d10 points of damage. The spell's effects last until dispelled, the caster stops concentrating upon it, or the target makes a successful saving throw and ends the spell.
Should the target be reduced to 0 hp or less by the spell, the heart will tear itself from the victim's chest in a gory mess (killing them instantly) and deposit itself in the caster's eagerly outstretched hand.
Spell Build:
Death, 1d10 damage/level (52), max damage 1d (x0.1), target held helpless (40), target 1 creature (x1), only targets living creatures with hearts (x0.9), range 30' (x0.6), duration concentration or until target saves (x1.75), saving throw avoids effect (x0.5), eldritch (x1)
Total Cost: 21.357
Thoughts?
I love this! Reminds me of my Heart of Gold spell.
Essentially a more p[owerful choking grasp, but one that works on more creatures.b Good balance and great flavor to the spell. Just imagine the various spell signatures:
Immediately adding it to a scroll in my campaign, just changing damage to 3d6/lvl instead.
Well you know, if it ain't broke... :)
Yeowch, that's going to hurt.
DOH!! typo - make that 3d6 per round instead.
A similar spell of mine (which is in BCK):
Heart of Gold. This is a Death spell, target slain (85), target 1 creature (x1), range touch (x0.4*), duration instantaneus (x1), target's heart transformed into pure gold (x1.25**), saving throw negates (x0.5), arcane (x1). Total 21.25 points. This is a level 3 spell.
By touching the creature (this requires a successful attack throw against a resisting target, otherwise the spell is wasted), the caster transforms the victim's heart into pure gold, instantly slaying the creature. A successful save vs. petrification negates the effects of this spell. The heart, if pulled out of the corpse, is worth 1 GP per XP the target has - the bigger and more feroscouis the creature is, the more its golden heart is worth.