With a whisper, you imprint a vision from an otherworldly plane of existence onto the mind of a creature within range, forcing it to comprehend the incomprehensible vista. The target creature must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 12d10 necrotic damage and is incapacitated for the duration of the spell. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage and is not incapacitated.

If damage caused by this spell reduces the target to 0 hit points, it immediately fails all of its death saving throws and becomes an achromatic husk. As it dies, the target calmly crouches or lays down and stares blankly at nothing. Its color desaturates until it is only shades of gray and its body begins to flake like a log turning to ash in a fire. Though dead, the achromatic husk continues to mindlessly speak and begs for assistance, claiming to be experiencing a terrible, burning thirst.

A secondary creature suffers 4d6 collateral necrotic damage if it touches or attempts to aid the achromatic husk in any way, including casting ranged spells on it. Additionally, a secondary creature also suffers collateral damage for each minute during which it speaks to or can see the achromatic husk. The secondary creature is only aware of receiving the collateral damage once it disengages from the achromatic husk or when it has been damaged twice, whichever occurs first. A secondary creature whose hit points are reduced to 0 by this spell's collateral effects also immediately fails all of its death saving throws and becomes an achromatic husk.

The achromatic husk condition is not a curse or other common status effect and cannot be removed via normal restorative magics. The creature can be restored only by means of a true resurrection or wish spell, during which the caster suffers the above described collateral damage. If successfully resurrected, the creature's recovery from the ordeal of dying takes twice as long and it suffers fitful nightmares until fully restored. The creature remains permanently colorless.