Iron Body (Alteration)
Level: Bard 8, Mage 8, Sorcerer 8
Range: Self
Duration: 1 round/level
Casting Time: 8
Area of Effect: The caster
Saving Throw: None

This spell transforms the caster's body into living iron, which grants him several powerful resistances and abilities. While the spell is in effect, the caster can only be injured by blunt weapons, or monsters of 8 Hit Dice or more. Slashing weapons, falling, crushing, and constriction attacks of all types are completely unable to harm the caster, although an attack may knock him off-balance or pin him beneath tons of debris. Spells or attacks that affect the subject's physiology or respiration-for example, poison, cloudkill, enfeeblement, contagion, or pain touch-fail completely, since the caster has no physiology or respiration while the spell is in effect. The wizard ignores electrical attacks and takes only one-half fire damage. If the caster is hit with a rod of smiting, or is affected by acid, then the damage is doubled.

In addition to the natural immunities of an iron body, the wizard enjoys powerful offensive abilities. His Strength score is raised to 20 (+3 to attack rolls, +8 damage) for the duration of the spell, and he can punch or bludgeon his enemies twice per round for 1d4 points of damage per blow, plus his Strength bonus. Unfortunately, his movement becomes slow and awkward, so he is reduced by 50% and cannot be affected by curative magic. Most importantly, the wizard's clumsiness and lack of breath prevent him from casting any spells while the iron body is in effect.

Iron body may create additional hazards for the wizard. For example, rust monsters are extremely dangerous to a wizard using this spell. Heat metal spells inflict double damage to the caster. And, naturally, the wizard sinks like a stone in water-although he could survive the crushing pressure and lack of air at the bottom of the ocean-at least until the spell expired. Some magical items, such as potions or winded instruments, may be temporarily unusable as well.

Spell Focus: a pinch of saltpeter.