Life Lock (3.5e Spell)

''There was a haunting noise as the door was blocked off with shimmering red energy. Behind you the orcs began to pour forth, one of the bigger ones glowing a baleful red hue.''

You bind a creature's life force to an area, so that in the event of intruders the area is sealed off and the only way out is by defeating the creature acting as the "key". Upon casting the spell you target a willing creature who becomes the key creature, and assign the area is guards. You also assign a triggering event, usually moving to a particular area or grabbing something within the assigned area. It can also be activated as a standard action by the key creature. The key creature must be within the assigned area for the spell to go off.

When discharged, the assigned area is sealed off by glowing walls of force that block exit. Effects such as disintegrate only suppress these walls for 1 round. During this time the key creature sheds light as a torch, glowing the same color as the walls and gains a +4 enhancement bonus to all ability scores and DR 5/magic. The area will remain sealed off until 1 hour/level has passed or the key creature is slain.

The spell may be dispelled if the key creature is found before the effect is discharged, but the spell cannot be dispelled after it has been discharged. An antimagic field on the key creature suppresses the life lock for as long as it remains within.

This spell is a favorite of dungeon owners, allowing them to trap and delay their opponents and sometimes even applying more than one life lock effect at a time.

Special: If prepared two spell slots higher, all creatures inside are affected by dimensional anchor for as long as they are inside the sealed area.

Material Component: A silver key worth 50 gp per HD of the life lock's key creature.