Strahd's Baneful Attractor

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2nd level Sorcerer/Wizard Spell List, Evocation school (2nd Edition)[1][2], Transmutation spell (3rd Edition)[3]

Developed by Strahd von Zarovich based upon the work by Hornung the Anarch (though the former refused to admit inspiration from the latter)[1][2], Strahd's Baneful Attractor is a spell that makes the spell's target a magnet for nearby spells directed at other nearby creatures (but not area of effect spells)[1][2][4]. Strahd's Baneful Attractor is said to be the reverse form of Strahd Von Zarovich from the work of Hornung's Baneful Deflector[1][2].

Potential Origin Issues

Strahd's Baneful Attractor faces a number of potential issues regarding its origins given in the 2nd Edition sources. First is the issue of wild magic. Hornung's Baneful Deflector a wild magic spell[5], and normally only wild mages can learn wild magic spells[6]. This would seemingly prevent Strahd's understanding enough to derive a reversed form as he is not a wild mage. Strahd's Baneful Attractor itself does not appear to be a wild magic spell.

There is also a discrepancy between the stated effects of Hornung's baneful deflector and Strahd's baneful attractor. Regarding spells, Hornung's baneful attractor merely redirected missile weapons missile like spells such as magic missile[5], whereas Strahd's baneful attractor makes no mention of missiles and simply says spells, possibly indicating any sort of targeted spell despite being a reverse form of Hornung's baneful deflector[1][2].

References

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

Domains of Dread
Forbidden Lore: Nova Arcanum
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I

Domains of Dread - p188
Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Realm of Terror - p95
Forbidden Lore: Nova Arcanum - p21
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I - pp116-117

Domains of Dread - p188
Ravenloft Campaign Setting:Realm of Terror - p95
Forbidden Lore: Nova Arcanum - p21
Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I - pp116-117