With a sly grin and a glint of misplaced confidence, you lace your words with magic, twisting friendly compliments into intimidating phrases or mistaking threats as unwarranted praise. The target becomes momentarily dazed by the confusing interaction, either feeling insulted by what sounds like a compliment or unsettled by a perceived threat.
Effect: Choose a creature within range that can hear and understand you. Make a Charisma (Deception or Intimidation) check against the target's Wisdom saving throw. On a success, the target takes 1d4 psychic damage and has disadvantage on its next attack roll before the start of your next turn.
The type of check you roll depends on your approach:
- If you deliver a compliment as a veiled insult, roll Charisma (Intimidation).
- If you interpret a threat as praise, roll Charisma (Deception).
At Higher Levels: The spell's damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4), 11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4).
Special Quirk: Because of the spell's twisted nature, the caster often leaves targets confused about their intentions, and particularly gullible creatures may misinterpret the caster's alignment or intentions.