Shield of Arms

[tzor]

(This spell was designed for a magic item that I was thinking of called a “coat of arms.” It’s been a busy week for me and so most of my work was limited to thought experiments while commuting from and to work.)

Conjuration (Creation) Force
Level: Brd 2, Clr 2, Wiz/Sor 2
Components: VS
Casting Time: 1 Standard Action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature Touched
Duration: 1 min/level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: No

When the spell is cast eight arms bearing small arms (short swords, hand axes) form around the person touched their shoulders facing the person touched and ending in a small obscuring mist, and their weapons pointed out in defense of the person touched.

The arms can be used in two modes. In full defense mode, the arms block all incoming attacks and give the person touched a +4 deflection bonus. In partial defense mode, the arms only give a +2 deflection bonus, but allow for up to 8 attacks of opportunity. The attacks however are made with a BAB of 0, and only do 1d6 points of damage. The type of damage done can be randomly determined, as some arms will have swords, some axes, and others will have maces. The critical level is x2 for bludgeoning, x3 for slashing or 18-20/x2 for piercing, so determining the damage type before the attack roll is necessary.

[Ark]

Its a pretty neat looking spell, definately a must for creepy mages. So they only get attacks if they are AOO's from someone entering/leaving the square of the defending person?

[tzor]

I was thinking of giving them the normal 5' reach. This means that they can take advantage of any AOO of opponents in the squares they threaten, whether they are casting a spell, drinking a potion (both are really dumb things to do in someone's face anyway, especially since you can step back 5' and do it without penalty) or more commonly moving through the threatened squares.

Now that I have more time to think about it, I think the spell should remove a few AOO options aganst the caster, because AOO are basically caused by the idea that the person has let down his guard to perform the action, and these arms are keeping his guard while he lets it down to perform that action.

Basically I would suggest that non movement, non attacking actions that would cause an AOO do not cause an AOO while the spell is in effect in full defense mode. They would include Casting a spell, Drinking a potion or applying oil to ones self, using a spell like ability, loading a crossbow, sheathing a weapon, lighting a torch, locking or unlocking a weapon in a locked gauntlet, and preparing to throw a splash weapon.

[Ark]

Well I suppose you could limit it a bit more on the AOO by stating that for every 2 arms they get 1 attack. Other than that I can only think of possibly boosting it just a tad.

[Ark]

Limiting it to only specific types of Aoo's would work too. Spellcasting sounds reasonable enough.