Emotion: Hopelessness is a spell which causes victims to lie down where they stand and cease any movement.
Description[]
| “ | When this spell is cast, the wizard can disturb the emotional state of those around <PRO_HIMHER>. The effect of this is to inflict a feeling of hopelessness upon the enemies within the visual range of the caster. Upon a failed Saving Throw vs. Spell, the affected creature will lie down where they stand and give over all their will to a higher power. Sometimes they can be heard to exclaim things such as "I lay down and die," or "I'm going home." This will last for the duration of the spell, upon which they will return to normal. The secondary effect of this spell is to instill upon the caster the feeling of courage. This will remove any effects of panic and restore <PRO_HISHER> morale, as well as prevent the above from creeping forth into <PRO_HISHER> psyche. There is no Saving Throw vs. this and it will last for the duration of the spell. It will, however, be affected by Magic Resistance and other such things. |
” |
Gameplay[]
The caster designates a point on the area map to direct this spell towards using the targeting cursor.
When the spell cast is finished a projectile is launched and travels fairly quickly to the designated point and instantly applies the spell's effects to any enemy/hostile creatures in the area of effect.
Enemies are allowed a Saving throw versus Spells to resist the spell and negate its effects.
If the saving throw fails, the affected creature has a 3D graphic effect and a brief color glow rendered over their sprite, indicating the spell has taken effect.
A party member affected by this spell has an icon (No. 44) placed on their portrait titled "Hopelessness".
When the spell expires, a sound effect is audibled to indicate the expiration.
Affected creatures will fall prone to the ground and be made Unconscious (which is also the same effect code used by the Sleep and Command spells).
While prone and on the ground, the victim is Helpless and will not be aroused or awakened by sustaining damage - they are basically "out cold".
The second power of this spell is applied to the caster - who is bestowed a 10-round duration protection from Panic and morale break.
This spell can be blocked by Magic resistance, a Globe of Invulnerability, or Spell Immunity: Enchantment.
Protective items, abilities or spells that protect against the Unconsciousness/Sleep effect can mitigate the effects, such as the ever useful Chaotic Commands spell.
Elf and Half-elf creatures do not benefit from their racial resistance to sleep with this particular spell.
This spell can be removed with various Dispel Magic effects.
Notes[]
- This spell applies the Opcode #39 effect (named "sleep" effect in NearInfinity), but elves/half-elves get no special resistance against it, as it's supposed to emulate a more general unconscious effect (similarly to Stinking Cloud). However, sleep effect (Opcode #39) immunities still apply (eg acquired via Chaotic Commands or natural immunities to sleep, like the Faerie Dragons in Resurrection Gorge and some Familiars have).
- Existing fear/panic effects are removed when the spell is cast (though a character will have a hard time doing it while panicking, requiring something like a contingency).
Where to obtain its scroll[]
Baldur's Gate and Tales of the Sword Coast[]
The Black Pits[]
- Dinguer the Mad (×3)
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn[]
Found in[]
- Inside the Planar Sphere (Navigator Room)
Sold by[]
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal[]
Bugs[]
- The icon for the spell scroll has the right border cut off in the original Baldur's Gate II.
Trivia[]
The Advanced Dungeon and Dragons 2nd Edition Wizard spell "Emotion" allows the caster to select a single desired emotion to instill, including Courage, Fear, Friendship, Happiness, Hate, Hope, Hopelessness, and Sadness. See the External links for further reading.
Gallery[]
Mod content[]
This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Spell Revisions mod has replaced Emotion: Hopelessness with this arcane spell, revising its effects, saving throw and duration. See below for description:
Emotion: Despair
Level: 4
School: Enchantment
Range: Long
Duration: 2 round/level
Casting Time: 4
Area of Effect: 30’ radius
Saving Throw: Spell negates
When this spell is cast, the wizard can disturb the emotional state of those around him. The effect of this is to inflict a feeling of absolute hopelessness upon enemies within visual range of the caster. Upon a failed saving throw vs. spell at -2, those affected will receive a -4 penalty on attack rolls and weapon damage, and a +4 penalty to armor class. This will last for the duration of the spell or until dispelled.
Installation of either the IWDification or current version of Sword Coast Stratagems mods bring into the game the four Icewind Dale Emotion spells (Emotion: Courage, Fear, and Emotion: Hope and Hopelessness).
External links[]
- Emotion: Hopelessness on the Icewind Dale Wiki, a wiki for the first Icewind Dale game.
- Advanced D&D 2nd Edition Wiki - Emotion (Wizard Spell)