Mezzalldam's Choking Fist
(Evocation)

Range:  3 yards per level
Components:  V, S, M
Duration:  1 round per level
Casting Time:  9
Area of Effect:  Special
Saving Throw:  None

This spell creates a disembodied hand similar to those of the Bigby's hand spells, except it is much smaller (about the size of an ogre's hand). It will attack as directed by the wizard (no concentration is required to do so - the wizard simply chooses the target). The hand does not automatically hit, but will attack using the wizard's THAC0, with a +2 to-hit bonus.
If a hit is scored, the fist closes tightly around the victim's throat; it will continue squeezing until the target is dead, or until the hold is broken. Once per round, the fist's lock may be broken by making a successful bend bars roll (the victim has a 10% penalty applied to this roll); only one person may do this each round, due to the small size of the hand. Other party members who try to free the victim must devote their entire attention to this for the round (i.e. no other action may be taken, Dexterity bonuses to Armour Class are lost, etc.).
Each round the victim is choked, a system shock roll must be made; each round of constriction after the first imposes a cumulative 5% penalty to this roll. If the roll fails, the victim fall unconscious and if the hold is not broken the following round, the victim dies. While a victim is being choked he may perform no other actions (other than breaking the fist's hold) - all the target's efforts are required to fight the effects of the constriction. The fist will continue attacking until it is destroyed or dispelled, or until the spell's duration expires; the wizard can also end the spell with a single word.
The fist may be destroyed by direct attack; it has an Armour Class of 2 and as many hit points as the wizard at full health. The fist will also break its hold on a victim every time it loses half its remaining hit points. Note however, that attacking the fist while it is choking a victim is dangerous; if an attack on the fist fails to hit, another normal attack must be immediately rolled against the victim, inflicting any damage normally. If the fist's hold is released or broken, it may be attacked without fear of hitting companions. If the fist is not choking a victim, it may be attacked by anyone who beats the wizard's initiative roll (or by anyone, if the fist fails to score a hit that round).
The material components for this spell are a bit of bone and skin from any constricting snake; these components are consumed when the spell is cast.

