Shrink Container

[tzor]

Shrink Container
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wiz 6
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: One touched container of up to 6 cu. ft./level
Duration: One day/level; see text
Saving Throw: Will negates (object)
Spell Resistance: Yes (object)
You are able to shrink one nonmagical container (if it is within the size limit) to 1/16 of its normal size in each dimension (to about 1/4,000 the original volume and mass). This change effectively reduces the object’s size by four categories. The spell fails if there are magical or living items within the container. Containers changed by a shrink container spell can be returned to normal composition and size merely by a word of command from the original caster. The container can be opened but anything removed from the container resumes its normal size. Likewise if a container lid is completely removed from the container it (the lid) too will resume normal size. Restoring the shrunken object to its normal size and composition ends the spell.

[Sorloc]

A dragon, dead or alive, cannot be considered 'nonmagic', but I get your point.

Perhaps redefine the spell as simply 'shrink' with a maximum volume, say, 1 cu'/level? and a reduction % of 10x the caster's level?

Your 6th level caster will be able to shrink an object containing up to 6cu' down 60% to 2.4 cu'. Who cares, right? well, he can shrink a sword from 36" long down to 14", and a dagger down to 6".
This becomes better and better as you gain levels, the spell gets more powerful.

The real question is, what about the mass? I think it would be fun if mass were unaltered... You could use levitate on a shrunken boulder and hurl it at someone who would take damage from a boulder instead of a fist-sized stone.

[tzor]

Acolyte, I really have not tried to define "container" other than perhaps, "it's a object and it holds things inside." I suppose I should add "non living" to "non magical" container, which would settle the question of the live dragon (well see my comment below, unless he's a reall small critter) because one could consider the container the scales and since there is living material under the scales the spell fails. "The spell fails if there are magical or living items within the container. "

Yes you can use it to shrink a dead dragon, assuming that the dead dragon is somewhat small. Even at the larger "6 cu. ft./level" the starting size container is still only a cube 4' on a side. You can expand that a whopping 1' per side if you get to 20th level.

A medium dragon, minus head and tail, is 5' x 3' x 3' or 45 cu'.
A large dragon, minus head and tail, is 9' x 5' x 5' or 225 cu'.

So a medium dragon, might be possible, but a large one cannot be even considered by anyone not of epic level with this spell. Medium dragons include a juvenile black (CR 7), young blue (CR 6), young green (CR 5), wyrmling red (CR 4), and juvenile white (CR 6) which generally tends to be pretty easy for a wizard of 11th level. (minimum level needed to cast 6th level spell)

The volume problem limits most "containers" to reasonable crates and barrels, and as a result removes a lot of the abuse potential of the spell.

I suppose I should add a part that suggests that the hardness and strength of the container also reduces in like proportion, so if you fill a container beyond it's holding capacity to the point of breaking, it will still have the potential to break in reduced form, possiblyi destroying the magic and returning all the contents that fall out back to normal size.