Spell of the week: Magic Circle Against Evil

This spell surrounds one creature with a 10' radius circle of magic power. All within the circle are protected as if by the spell Protection Against Evil. This has the effect of:

• granting +2 to Armour Class and Saving Throws
  
• preventing evil creatures from using mind control effects on those within the circle
• preventing evil creatures from entering the circle

This last effect can be defeated by evil creatures' spell resistance, if they have any (see the Babau description below for more information on this).

Magic circle against evil can also be cast on summoned creatures to hold them within a 10' radius magical cage for the duration of the spell. They cannot leave the cage or cast spells through it by physical means. This effect requires a circle of powdered silver be cast around the creature, and any disruption of this circle (by wind, or other creatures, for example) ruins the effect. Also, the creature can teleport out if it possesses such a power.

In short, this spell can be used to contain evil creatures or ward them off.

The full description of the spell protection from evil is given below:

Protection from Evil

Abjuration [Good]

Level: Clr 1, Good 1, Pal 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: No; see text

This spell wards a creature from attacks by evil creatures, from mental control, and from summoned creatures. It creates a magical barrier around the subject at a distance of 1 foot. The barrier moves with the subject and has three major effects.

First, the subject gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves. Both these bonuses apply against attacks made or effects created by evil creatures.

Second, the barrier blocks any attempt to possess the warded creature (by a magic jar attack, for example) or to exercise mental control over the creature (including enchantment (charm) effects and enchantment (compulsion) effects that grant the caster ongoing control over the subject, such as dominate person). The protection does not prevent such effects from targeting the protected creature, but it suppresses the effect for the duration of the protection from evil effect. If the protection from evil effect ends before the effect granting mental control does, the would-be controller would then be able to mentally command the controlled creature. Likewise, the barrier keeps out a possessing life force but does not expel one if it is in place before the spell is cast. This second effect works regardless of alignment.

Third, the spell prevents bodily contact by summoned creatures. This causes the natural weapon attacks of such creatures to fail and the creatures to recoil if such attacks require touching the warded creature. Good summoned creatures are immune to this effect. The protection against contact by summoned creatures ends if the warded creature makes an attack against or tries to force the barrier against the blocked creature. Spell resistance can allow a creature to overcome this protection and touch the warded creature.

Arcane Material Component: A little powdered silver with which you trace a 3-foot -diameter circle on the floor (or ground) around the creature to be warded.