Cognitohazard

You etch a magical rune onto any surface or object that rips into any creature's mind that see it.

The rune is about the size of a splayed human hand, and glows with a dim light but does not illuminate surroundings. It becomes activated 1 turn after casting. Any creature that clearly has the entire rune in its field of vision (even if not directly viewed) takes 1d8 psychic damage, drops anything it is holding, and becomes prone and stunned for 1 turn. A creature can make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw to negate all secondary effects but still take full damage.

Cognitohazard cannot be cast piece by piece or on multiple distinct surfaces. If the surface it is on is destroyed, the rune disappears.

The rune will disappear after it triggers. You may have multiple runes simultaneously. You may create a non-damaging version. All runes disappear when you die.

At higher levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, you deal an additional 1d8 psychic damage for each level above 2nd. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the rune will not disappear on activation unless it is cancelled or dispelled, or until you are dead.

"As if giving me the worst headache of my life wasn't enough, it was at the top of the ladder! Woke up with five broken bones!"