Glyph Of Warding

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• Level: 3
• School: Abjuration
• Class: Bard, Cleric, Wizard
• Casting Time: 1 hour
• Range: Touch
• Components: V, S, M (powdered diamond worth 200+ GP, which the spell consumes)
• Duration: Until dispelled or triggered

You inscribe a glyph that later unleashes a magical effect. You inscribe it either on a surface (such as a table or a section of floor) or within an object that can be closed (such as a book or chest) to conceal the glyph. The glyph can cover an area no larger than 10 feet in diameter. If the surface or object is moved more than 10 feet from where you cast this spell, the glyph is broken, and the spell ends without being triggered.

The glyph is nearly imperceptible and requires a successful Wisdom (Perception) check against your spell save DC to notice.

When you inscribe the glyph, you set its trigger and choose whether it's an explosive rune or a spell glyph, as explained below.

Set the Trigger. You decide what triggers the glyph when you cast the spell. For glyphs inscribed on a surface, common triggers include touching or stepping on the glyph, removing another object covering it, or approaching within a certain distance of it. For glyphs inscribed within an object, common triggers include opening that object or seeing the glyph. Once a glyph is triggered, this spell ends.

You can refine the trigger so that only creatures of certain types activate it (for example, the glyph could be set to affect Aberrations). You can also set conditions for creatures that don't trigger the glyph, such as those who say a certain password.

Explosive Rune. When triggered, the glyph erupts with magical energy in a 20-foot-radius Sphere centered on the glyph. Each creature in the area makes a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 5d8 Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder damage (your choice when you create the glyph) on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

Spell Glyph. You can store a prepared spell of level 3 or lower in the glyph by casting it as part of creating the glyph. The spell must target a single creature or an area. The spell being stored has no immediate effect when cast in this way.

When the glyph is triggered, the stored spell takes effect. If the spell has a target, it targets the creature that triggered the glyph. If the spell affects an area, the area is centered on that creature. If the spell summons Hostile creatures or creates harmful objects or traps, they appear as close as possible to the intruder and attack it. If the spell requires Concentration, it lasts until the end of its full duration.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage of an explosive rune increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 3. If you create a spell glyph, you can store any spell of up to the same level as the spell slot you use for the Glyph of Warding.

Tactical Usage

Glyph of Warding provides unparalleled preparation advantages for defensive encounters and area control. Use explosive runes to create deadly chokepoints in anticipated battle zones. The 20-foot radius blast makes excellent corridor defenders or room guardians. Position multiple glyphs to create overlapping zones of destruction.

For spell glyphs, store high-impact spells like Fireball, Hold Person, or Counterspell for triggered activation. This effectively doubles your spell slot economy by pre-casting powerful effects. The ability to target triggering creatures automatically makes stored spells incredibly efficient.

Strategic placement requires careful consideration of movement and trigger conditions. Set passwords for allies to bypass defenses safely. Use creature type restrictions to target specific enemies while allowing friendly passage. The 1-hour casting time demands secure preparation areas and advance planning.

Spell Combinations

Glyph of Warding creates incredible spell layering opportunities for prepared casters. Store Dispel Magic in glyphs to automatically counter incoming magical effects. Combine explosive runes with Web or Entangle to create escape-proof kill zones. Multiple glyphs can chain together for devastating combination attacks.

For defensive installations, layer glyphs with Alarm spells to create comprehensive security systems. Arcane Lock on containers conceals spell glyphs while providing additional protection. Invisible glyphs become virtually undetectable, requiring magical detection to locate.

Advanced combinations include storing Teleportation Circle for emergency escape routes or Sending for automatic distress signals. Suggestion glyphs can redirect intruders, while Sleep effects provide non-lethal crowd control. The possibilities are limited only by spell level and imagination.

Material Component Details

The 200+ GP powdered diamond requirement makes Glyph of Warding a significant financial investment per casting. High-quality diamond dust must be finely ground to specific consistency for optimal magical conductivity. Many spellcasters purchase pre-prepared diamond powder from alchemical suppliers.

Different diamond sources might affect glyph stability or power. Naturally formed diamonds provide consistent results, while magically created diamonds work equally well but some traditions consider them inferior. The consumed nature means each glyph represents permanent resource expenditure.

Storage and handling of diamond powder requires careful consideration. Humid environments can cause clumping, while static electricity can scatter precious materials. Many casters use specialized containers with precise measurement tools to avoid waste during glyph creation.

Creator Notes

Glyph of Warding fundamentally changes defensive encounter design, requiring DMs to carefully consider preparation time and resource availability. The spell allows players to bypass action economy limitations through advance preparation, potentially trivializing encounters without proper planning.

When designing dungeon defenses, remember that glyphs provide permanent protection once installed. Ancient ruins, wizard towers, and sacred sites become exponentially more dangerous with glyph integration. Consider how different intelligent creatures might utilize glyph technology.

For campaign balance, the 200 GP cost per glyph limits excessive usage while still allowing strategic deployment. High-level parties might create elaborate glyph networks, requiring careful encounter design to provide appropriate challenges without negating player investment.

Environmental Interactions

Glyph of Warding interacts complexly with different environmental conditions. Outdoor glyphs face weather exposure - rain might blur surface inscriptions while extreme temperatures affect material stability. Indoor environments provide better protection but limit placement options.

Moving surfaces present unique challenges. Ships, wagons, or other vehicles break glyphs if moved more than 10 feet from casting location. However, stationary objects within moving vessels maintain their glyphs, creating interesting tactical possibilities.

Magical environments can enhance or interfere with glyph function. Areas of wild magic might cause unpredictable triggers or effects. Anti-magic zones suppress glyphs entirely, while magical enhancement areas might extend trigger ranges or increase damage output.

Common Rulings & Clarifications

Movement Restrictions: The 10-foot movement limit applies to the glyph's base surface or container, not the caster. Glyphs inscribed on portable objects become useless if moved, making placement selection crucial.

Trigger Timing: Multiple creatures entering the trigger area simultaneously all become targets if the stored spell can affect multiple targets. Single-target spells affect only the first triggering creature.

Spell Storage Requirements: The stored spell must be one you have prepared and can cast. The spell takes effect immediately upon triggering, using your spell save DC and attack bonus from the time of glyph creation.

Detection and Disabling: The Perception check to notice glyphs uses the creator's spell save DC. Dispel Magic can eliminate glyphs safely, while Detect Magic reveals their presence but not their specific effects.

Alternative Applications

Glyph of Warding excels in security and messaging applications beyond combat. Create magical burglar alarms using Alarm spell glyphs triggered by unauthorized entry. Store Sending spells to automatically notify authorities or allies when specific conditions occur.

For information security, use glyphs to protect sensitive documents or areas. Password-protected glyphs ensure only authorized personnel access restricted materials. Suggestion glyphs can redirect unauthorized visitors away from sensitive areas without violence.

Historical preservation benefits from glyph technology. Ancient texts protected by preservation glyphs remain readable for centuries. Archaeological sites can be protected from vandalism while allowing scholarly access through proper authentication.

Related Spells

Trap Creation: Symbol provides similar triggered effects with different mechanics. Explosive Runes offers simpler but less versatile trap options. Fire Trap creates specific fire-based defensive measures.

Area Denial: Forbiddance creates permanent area restrictions. Hallow provides persistent magical effects over larger areas. Private Sanctum offers comprehensive location protection.

Spell Storage: Contingency stores spells for personal use with different triggers. Spell Storing items provide reusable spell storage. Magic Mouth creates simple triggered message systems.

Scaling Analysis

Higher-level casting significantly improves both explosive rune damage and spell storage capacity. 5th-level glyphs can store Fireball for devastating area denial, while 9th-level glyphs enable Disintegrate or Polymorph storage for ultimate security measures.

The spell's utility scales exponentially with available resources and preparation time. Early-level parties might manage one or two strategic glyphs, while high-level groups can create comprehensive defensive networks. Resource availability directly correlates with tactical options.

Cost-effectiveness improves with campaign scope and threat level. Short-term adventures might not justify the diamond investment, while long-term defensive installations make glyphs essential. The permanent duration provides excellent value for persistent threats.

Narrative Flavor

Glyph of Warding creation should emphasize the intricate magical craftsmanship involved. Describe the careful inscription process, diamond dust application, and magical energy binding. Different casting traditions might produce varying visual effects - arcane glyphs showing geometric patterns, divine glyphs displaying holy symbols.

Triggered glyphs create dramatic moments of revelation and danger. Explosive runes might burst with elemental fury matching their damage type, while spell glyphs release stored magical effects with visual flair appropriate to their contents. The surprise element should feel impactful without being unfair.

Different cultures might develop unique glyph traditions. Ancient civilizations could leave elaborate glyph networks protecting their ruins. Modern magical societies might standardize glyph symbols and trigger conditions. The magical craftsmanship should reflect the creator's skill and cultural background.