Imprisonment - DnD 5e stats

Imprisonment

  • Casting Time: 1 minute
  • Classes: Warlock, Wizard
  • Components: V S M
  • Duration: Until dispelled
  • Level: 9
  • Material: A vellum depiction or a carved statuette in the likeness of the target, and a special component that varies according to the version of the spell you choose, worth at least 500 gp per Hit Die of the target
  • Name: Imprisonment
  • Range: 30 feet
  • School: Abjuration
  • Target: A creature that you can see within range

You create a magical restraint to hold a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be bound by the spell, if it succeeds, it is immune to this spell if you cast it again. While affected by this spell, the creature doesn't need to breathe, eat, or drink, and it doesn't age. Divination spells can't locate or perceive the target.

When you cast the spell, you choose one of the following forms of imprisonment.

Burial: The target is entombed far beneath the earth in a sphere of magical force that is just large enough to contain the target. Nothing can pass through the sphere, nor can any creature teleport or use planar travel to get into or out of it.

The special component for this version of the spell is a small mithral orb.

Chaining: Heavy chains, firmly rooted in the ground, hold the target in place. The target is restrained until the spell ends, and it can't move or be moved by any means until then.

The special component for this version of the spell is a fine chain of precious metal.

Hedged Prison: The spell transports the target into a tiny demiplane that is warded against teleportation and planar travel. The demiplane can be a labyrinth, a cage, a tower, or any similar confined structure or area of your choice.

The special component for this version of the spell is a miniature representation of the prison made from jade.

Minimus Containment: The target shrinks to a height of 1 inch and is imprisoned inside a gemstone or similar object. Light can pass through the gemstone normally (allowing the target to see out and other creatures to see in), but nothing else can pass through, even by means of teleportation or planar travel. The gemstone can't be cut or broken while the spell remains in effect.

The special component for this version of the spell is a large, transparent gemstone, such as a corundum, diamond, or ruby.

Slumber: The target falls asleep and can't be awoken.

The special component for this version of the spell consists of rare soporific herbs.

Ending the Spell: During the casting of the spell, in any of its versions, you can specify a condition that will cause the spell to end and release the target. The condition can be as specific or as elaborate as you choose, but the DM must agree that the condition is reasonable and has a likelihood of coming to pass. The conditions can be based on a creature's name, identity, or deity but otherwise must be based on observable actions or qualities and not based on intangibles such as level, class, or hit points.

A dispel magic spell can end the spell only if it is cast as a 9th-level spell, targeting either the prison or the special component used to create it.

You can use a particular special component to create only one prison at a time. If you cast the spell again using the same component, the target of the first casting is immediately freed from its binding.


The SendingStone review

Imprisonment is a powerful spell available to high-level spellcasters that can be used to incapacitate and detain a target for an extended period. Some individuals believe that this spell is a valuable tool for ensuring public safety and enforcing the law. By using imprisonment on dangerous criminals, these individuals argue, we can prevent them from causing harm and protect innocent people from violence or other forms of crime.

However, others argue that imprisonment is an inhumane and ineffective way of dealing with crime. They point to the high rates of recidivism and the mistreatment of prisoners as evidence that this approach is not successful. Additionally, they suggest that alternatives such as rehabilitation, restorative justice, or community-based initiatives could be more effective in addressing the root causes of crime and reducing overall rates of offending.

Ultimately, the use of imprisonment as a tool for punishment and deterrence is a contentious issue that sparks debate among policymakers, legal experts, and the general public. While some see it as a necessary and effective means of protecting society, others view it as a flawed system that perpetuates violence, inequality, and oppression.


Imprisonment is D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) 5th edition content, but other TTRPGs may have their own version such as a Imprisonment Pathfinder edition. Want to use Imprisonment in a VTT (virtual tabletop)? Try out SendingStone for free today!


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