Lesser Crown of Vermin (3.5e Spell)

''I do what I want! I do what I need! I go where I choose and you all better heed. Ain't nobody stop this druid you see. You gotta ask why? I'M COVERED IN BEES!!!''

Similar to the epic crown of vermin, lesser crown of vermin surrounds you in a shroud of biting and stinging insects flying all around you. This swarm forms a living aura around the character out to a radius of 10 feet. he character is immune to his or her own lesser crown of vermin. The swarm goes where the character goes at his or her speed, even if the character takes to the air or water (though water drowns the vermin after 1 full round of immersion, unless the spell is cast underwater, in which case aquatic or marine vermin answer the call and cannot leave the water).

The caster has 10 bugs per caster level (maximum 200 bugs at caster level 20th). At the caster's choice they can have 1 or more bug bite a target which enters the area of effect for 1 point of damage (which kills the bug and reduces your total). Victims get a Reflex save to reduce the number of bites (and thus deaths) by half. Each round they remain in the aura or exit and re-enter the aura they are subject to more bites. The bugs bypass DR/magic and DR/any alignment, but won't harm a creature with any material DR, DR/-, or DR/epic. When the pool of insects is expended, the spell ends.

The aura may be used defensively as well. As long as at least 20 bugs remain the caster receives a 20% miss chance from partial concealment (through they can see through the swarm just fine). In addition when subject to an attack which can affect fine vermin (such as many area of effects) they may sacrifice 1 or more insects to reduce the damage taken by an equal amount. For example, a caster is struck by a fireball and takes 45 damage. They transfer 35 of the damage to their bugs, lose 35 bugs from their total, and only take 10 damage.

Due to the sheer mass of the flying swarm, the user is always under the effect of feather fall while this spell is active.

Material Component: A handful of pollen and a sackful of courage that they won't crawl down your throat.