School: Chronomancy (Enchantment)
(Intended for use with the Chronomancer subclass)
Area of Effect: 5 square feet / level

By casting this spell, the caster causes all ferrous metals (iron, iron alloys such as steel, etc) within the spell's AoE to be held fast, similar to the way a person would be held by a Hold Person spell.  Swords being swung, pendulum blades arcing, and other metallic objects stop mid-motion.  Although these metal objects can be touched, they cannot be moved for the duration of the spell, as if the metal weighed tons or was held fast by Sovereign Glue.  This spell is often used to prevent individuals from drawing weapons or from removing metallic or partially metallic objects from the affected area.  The spell is especially useful against individuals clad in chain or plate armor.  Beings wearing any ferrous armor find that while under the effects of this spell they cannot move - caged by their own apparel.  Furthermore, anyone wearing metal or carrying metal items who enters the AoE of an in-effect Hold Metal spell finds that such metal is instantly rendered immobile - from weapons to metal buttons, buckles, cloak clasps, etc.

Nonferrous metals are unaffected by Hold Metal, so an individual wearing bronze plate or picking up a pure silver candelabrum is able to proceed unhindered if the item in question does not have iron or other ferrous metals hidden within it (items such as a plating of nonferrous metal over steel or iron WOULD be effected).  Note that most nonferrous metals are not sturdy enough for use in heavy tools without at least some amount of ferrous metal alloyed within them.

DM discretion as to what items contain affected metals.

The material component for this spell is a lodestone, magnet, or piece of iron, which had previously been kept on the demiplane of time for 24 subjective hours.

Based on the 2e AD&D Priest spell of the same name.