Ravenous Roots

6th-level conjuration

Casting Time 1 action
Range Touch
Components V, S, M (root strand)
Duration Concentration, up to 1 minute

With a touch, you cause a hungry, fast-growing network of roots to burrow through your target’s body. These roots suck blood and entwine themselves around the victim’s organs.

The creature must make a Constitution saving throw. If it fails, it takes 6d6 piercing damage and gains a level of exhaustion from the agonizing pain. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage and isn’t exhausted and the spell ends.

If the creature fails this initial saving throw, each round thereafter it suffers 4d6 piercing damage and effects at the beginning of your turn, as described below. After each effect, the creature can attempt a new Constitution saving throw, with success ending the spell.

• Round 2: The creature gains a level of exhaustion.
• Round 3: The creature gains a level of exhaustion and becomes restrained.
• Round 4-6: The creature gains a level of exhaustion each round.

If the creature reaches 0 hit points before the spell ends, or if it accumulates six levels of exhaustion, it dies and becomes permanently plated in the spot where it perished, with thick, gnarled roots growing in and out from its torso and limbs.