You press your hand to the target's flesh, invoking the dark essence of Barovia. A whisper curls from your lips like smoke. The target regains 1d8 + your Spellcasting Ability modifier hit points.
After casting this spell once, you are marked by shadows. The caster now has disadvantage on death saving throws until they are restored via Greater Restoration or Remove Curse. "The mists are always watching... and next time, they won't let go."
After casting this spell a second time, the caster's life is tethered to death. The caster's maximum HP is permanently reduced by 1d4. "The breath you steal back is never fully yours again."
After casting this spell a third time, the caster is inflicted with madness of the dead. Indefinite Madness is permanent and the effects can happen randomly throughout the campaign. Roll randomly on the Indefinite Madness table.
| d100 | Flaw (lasts until cured) |
|---|---|
| 01–15 | “Being drunk keeps me sane.” |
| 16 - 25 | "I keep whatever I find." |
| 26–30 | “I try to become more like someone else I know—adopting his or her style of dress, mannerisms, and name.” |
| 31–35 | “I must bend the truth, exaggerate, or outright lie to be interesting to other people.” |
| 36–45 | “Achieving my goal is the only thing of interest to me, and I’ll ignore everything else to pursue it.” |
| 46–50 | “I find it hard to care about anything that goes on around me.” |
| 51–55 | “I don’t like the way people judge me all the time.” |
| 56–70 | “I am the smartest, wisest, strongest, fastest, and most beautiful person I know.” |
| 71–80 | “I am convinced that powerful enemies are hunting me, and their agents are everywhere I go. I am sure they’re watching me all the time.” |
| 81–85 | “There’s only one person I can trust. And only I can see this special friend.” |
| 86–95 | “I can’t take anything seriously. The more serious the situation, the funnier I find it.” |
| 96–100 | “I’ve discovered that I really like killing people.” |
A calm emotions spell can suppress the effects of madness, while a lesser restoration spell can rid a character of a short-term or long-term madness. Depending on the source of the madness, remove curse or dispel evil might also prove effective. A greater restoration spell or more powerful magic is required to rid a character of indefinite madness.