Khelben's Warding Whip (Invocation/Evocation, Abjuration)
Level: Bard 7, Mage 7, Sorcerer 7
Range: 10 yards
Duration: 1 round/level
Casting Time: 7
Area of Effect: 1 force lash
Saving Throw: None

Khelben's Warding Whip was developed by Khelben Arunsun, the Blackstaff of Waterdeep, as a specific counter to the various Bigby spells that have appeared in the Realms. Whether the mythical Bigby of Greyhawk visited the Realms or Khelben or some other Realms mage visited Oerth to bring these spells from one world to another is not known. The Blackstaff has apparently met the great Bigby at some time in the past, though the meeting was apparently on the best of terms. As the wizard of Waterdeep once noted to his apprentice Ilistar, "The old goat comes up with one good gimmick and beats it to death with a rock." Bigby's response, if any, has never been recorded.

This specialized and rare spell creates a whiplike lash of mystical force controlled by the caster. This magical whip is particularly effective against those spells that take the form of pushing, striking, or crushing forces-in particular, the popular spells created by Bigby.

The mage need not concentrate to maintain the warding whip, but cannot cast other spells or wield other weapons while using it. When used, the whip strikes or parries automatically under the direction of its wielder. The effects of the whip are as follows:

* The whip confers upon the user immunity to any spells affecting the gravity.
* The whip immediately dissipates 1 protection spell without effect to itself, if the protection spell comes into contact with the whip.
* The whip destroys any Bigby's hands upon contact.
* The whip has no effect on nonmoving magical barriers such as a wall of force or prismatic sphere.
* The whip cannot harm living objects and so cannot be used as a weapon.
* The whip can be used to destroy temporary magical weapons created by magic (such as a Spiritual Hammer or a Black Blade of Disaster).

The wizard may end this spell at will.