Quintessa's Slaying Spear
(Evocation)

Range:  20 yards per level
Components:  V, S, M
Duration:  Permanent
Casting Time:  6
Area of Effect:  One creature
Saving Throw:  Special

When this spell is cast, light, that appears as a chromatic mass of intertwined rays bundled together in the shape of a spear, appears above the wizards head. The wizard goes through the motion of throwing the spear, without ever touching it, while speaking the name and race of the creature to be slain. The spear then flies towards its target and will kill the creature instantly if a saving throw versus death magic is failed. The slaying spear never misses.
If the saving throw is successful, the spear misses the creature's brain or central nervous system, and instead hits another part of the body causing 10d8 HP + 1 HP per level of the wizard damage. The surge of energy into the creature will also stun it for 2d4 rounds.
For the spell to work to its fullest potential, certain things should be known about the target: race, anatomy, true name (if applicable), and general background and history of the creature. If any of these are known (or not known) then the creature's saving throw is modified as follows:

		Information	Information
	Information	Known	Unknown
	race	-1	+2
	anatomy	-1 to -4	+3
	true name	-4	+2
	background	-1 to -5	+3

The total saving throw modifier because of knowledge of the creature's anatomy depends on how much the wizard has studied the creature's species. As a general guide, it would take about one month of study, along with lots of specimens, to be completely familiar with a certain species' anatomy.
The saving throw modifier because of knowledge of the creature's background depends on how much and how deeply this specific creature's history and current life have been researched.
The material component for this spell is a copper spearhead and a glass or crystal prism. If the creature was killed because of a failed saving throw, then the spearhead will be found in the brain. If the saving throw was made, then the spearhead will be found in a random part of the body.
There is an additional -2 modifier to the saving throw if, for some obscure reason, the creature is re-subject to this spell with the same copper spearhead that was used the first time (the spearhead has learned where to go this time).
The prism disappears after the spell is cast.

