Meld into Stone

Transmutation [Earth]
Level: Earth 3
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: One willing creature
Duration: 10 min./level; see text
Saving throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes
Spell Points: 5

Meld into stone enables the subject to meld its body and possessions into a single block of stone. The stone must be large enough to accommodate its body in all three dimensions. When the casting is complete, the subject and up to 100 pounds of nonliving gear merge with the stone. If either condition is violated, the spell fails and is wasted.

While in the stone, the subject must remain in contact, however tenuous, with the face of the stone through which it melded. It remains aware of the passage of time and can cast spells while hiding in the stone (although the stone blocks line of effect for most spells, unless the subject casts them on itself). Nothing that goes on outside the stone can be perceived via visual means, but the subject can still hear what happens around it, and its special senses (such as tremorsense or blindsense) that do not depend on sight still work normally.

Minor physical damage to the stone does not harm the subject, but its partial destruction (to the extent that the subject no longer fits within it) expels it and deals 5d6 points of damage. The stone’s complete destruction expels the subject and slays it instantly unless it makes a DC 18 Fortitude save.

Any time before the duration expires, the subject can step out of the stone through the surface that it entered, ending the spell. If the spell’s duration expires or the effect is dispelled before it voluntarily exits the stone, it is violently expelled and takes 5d6 points of damage.

The following spells harm the subject if cast upon the stone that it is occupying: Transmute Flesh and Stone used to transmute the stone with which it is melded to flesh expels it and deals 5d6 points of damage. Mold Material deals the subject 3d6 points of damage but does not expel it. Transmute Rock and Mud used to transmute the stone with which it is melded to mud expels it and then slays it instantly unless it makes a DC 18 Fortitude save, in which case it is merely expelled.

Augment: If you spend 4 additional spell points, the subject does not need to remain in contact with the surface of the stone while melded. This allows the subject to move through thick stones or walls, and to hide deep inside rocks.