Screw That One Guy In Particular
1st-level evocation (scaling spell)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Unlimited
Components: V, S
Duration: Special
Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard, Warlock
You point somewhere vaguely and let fate handle the rest. A crack of divine pettiness answers.
Choose a creature you are aware of (or let the DM choose randomly if you are being chaotic). A bolt of lightning strikes them from the sky.
The target must make a Dexterity saving throw.
- On a failure: takes 2d10 lightning damage + 1d6 spite damage
- On a success: takes half damage
Spite Counter (Core Mechanic)
This spell remembers who it hates.
Each time you cast this spell on the same target within 24 hours, you gain 1 Spite Counter (max 5).
Each Spite Counter grants:
- +1d10 lightning damage
- +1 to the save DC against that specific target
At 5 Spite Counters, the spell evolves.
Level 2: Personal Problem
(3+ Spite Counters)
The lightning begins to hunt.
- Damage becomes 3d10 + Spite Counter d10s
- On a failed save, the target is also Marked by Petty Fate for 1 minute
- While marked, they have disadvantage on the next saving throw against this spell
Level 3: Actively Hating
(5 Spite Counters)
The sky is now involved emotionally.
- Damage becomes 5d10 lightning + 2d6 thunder + Spite Counter d10s
- On a failed save:
- Target is knocked prone
- Lightning arcs again at the start of their next turn for 2d10 lightning (no save)
Level 4: You Know What You Did
(Still 5 Spite Counters, 3rd+ level spell slot)
When cast using a 3rd-level spell slot or higher:
- The spell no longer requires line of awareness
- The lightning will find them anyway
- On a failed save, the target is also stunned until the end of their turn
Level 5: Divine Petty Intervention
(5 Spite Counters + cast at 5th level)
At this point something higher is clearly involved.
- Damage becomes 8d10 lightning + 4d6 thunder + Spite Counter d10s
- If the target fails the save:
- They are paralyzed until the end of their next turn
- A loud voice (DM’s choice) says something judgmental about them
Reset Condition
If you cast this spell on a different target, all Spite Counters reset to 0.
Because this was never about everyone.
This was about him.
Flavor Notes
- The lightning can be flavored however you want: divine wrath, cursed clouds, angry ancestors
- The DM is encouraged to escalate how personal it feels each time
- NPCs may begin to notice that one specific guy keeps getting obliterated by weather
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