Curse of Conceited Obsession (Formula)

Curse. This spell curses a creature on the same plane of existence as you with an obsessive self- infatuation. The target must make a Charisma saving throw against the spell’s DC, which is modified by a set group of circumstances. If the caster is familiar with the target, the DC is not decreased. If they know the target firsthand the DC but are not familiar, the DC is decremented by 5. If they know the target secondhand, the DC decreases by 10. However, the wrongdoings of the target can increase the DC as well. The increases are as follows: +2 for a broken promise, +7 if they're a sworn enemy, +10 if they've committed an egregious betrayal against the caster, +8 if they desecrated the caster's home, and +5 if the caster feels spiteful envy toward the target.

On a successful save, the target becomes aware that somebody attempted to curse them. On a failed save, the target becomes cursed and is unaware of this. Upon the completion of this curse’s triggering event, the target automatically advances to stage 1 of this curse.

Formula. This spell is a formula, meaning that it may be cast by a non-caster if they follow the guidelines. However, formulas do not just require knowledge. They often require bravery in the face of harnessing the forces of reality. Some require a test of Constitution as the caster must harm themself in some fashion. In general, enacting a formula is usually a prolonged ordeal. If the caster fails, they are exposed to the naked insanity of existence. They are magically frightened of the arcane and take a point of exhaustion until they finish a long rest. To cast this spell as a formula, the caster must succeed on 1. A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) or Wisdom (Mystery) spell to draw the profane binding sigil 2. A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) or Wisdom (Mystery) spell to correctly recall the order in which the materials must be added to the sigil's center 3. A DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) or Wisdom (Mystery) check to recall the incantation 4. A  DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or Wisdom (Mystery) check as the bloody mirror and the contents upon it light aflame with the smell of sulfur and the caster feels an unnatural force flood into them and finally 5. A DC 15 Constitution saving throw as the caster begins to bleed from the pressure. These tests take place over the course of the hour.

Triggering event. The next time the cursed creature looks into a mirror or reflective surface, it spontaneously cracks.

Stage 1. The cursed creature is compelled to stop and admire themselves whenever they see their own reflection.

Stage 2. The cursed creature becomes obsessed with looking for and finding its own reflection wherever it goes. Additionally, the cursed creature has disadvantage on attack rolls.

Stage 3. The cursed creature is driven to find or, if necessary, build a location where it can see its own reflection from many angles. The cursed creature is compelled to remain in this location and admire itself. Additionally, attack rolls against the creature gain advantage.

Culmination. Upon failing the final escalation check, the cursed creature twists into a deformed figure and becomes a Weeping Willow. If the creature is a player character, they become an NPC under the GM’s control.

Dispelling the Curse. In order to dispel the curse, the cursed must either get the caster to repeal the curse, must kill the caster, or must swallow a pint of hag's blood.

Escalation. Escalation represents the curse gaining power as time goes on. At dawn once a day, a cursed creature must make an escalation check to see if their curse escalates. To pass, a creature needs to roll an unmodified d20, and obtain a score greater than the number of checks they have made on this stage. On a failed save, the cursed creature applies the effects of the next stage of the curse, in addition to any previous stages. For example, a creature who has just been cursed makes an escalation check the following dawn. They must roll greater than a 1. The next day the DC will increase to 2, and so on. If, on the 5th dawn, they roll a 5 or less, the curse escalates to the second stage. They apply any new effects and reset the DC to 1.