Noxious Rhythm

It’s late Sunday Wednesday afternoon Thursday morning (this was written on Sunday 4/27/2025, but I haven’t posted it yet — though if you see this, I have posted it, obviously), and very soon I will have the outline for my next book in hand from my co-author (I am a reasonably skilled writer, but a poor plotter, so it helps me to have a skeleton to build on, or I either don’t get started, or, end up in the weeds and can’t finish.) But I’ve managed 9 weeks of regular updates, and this will be the 10th, after the kind of multi-month silence that usually means “This Blog Is Dead”.

As noted in some other post — I am not sure which — I generated a list of random spell names using a non-AI tool, and I am plucking from said list those which seem intriguing. I may eventually do all 10, I may not, who knows? Today’s, however, is “Noxious Rhythm”.

Hm. Think think ponder ponder think…

(Yeah, I just stream-of-consciousness these. Sometimes, it’s more a muddy trickle than a stream. Hell, sometimes, it’s an arroyo. No, that’s not the one from the X-Men with weather powers.)

Alright. While I could think more deeply, I’m going to go with my first instinct, that this is clearly something bardic, at least in later editions where bards had their own spell lists. In earlier versions, it would likely be a magic-user spell (later “Mage”, then “Wizard”, then “Arcane Caster”), but to go with the tentative bard theme, let’s also make it a druid spell, as it kind of fits the vaguely-defined 1e druid paradigm as a “primitive” caster, in the sense the vaguely-Celtic culture that inspired the Druid class was, indeed, seen as “primitive” by the Romans.

(Excuse me, humming “A Pict Song” now.)

Original D&D

OK, first off… from an AU “Eldritch Wizardry”.

EXPLANATION OF SPELLS (Addition)
Clerics (Druids):
4th level
Noxious Rhythm: The caster beats out a discordant rhythm on any available surface. Those within 24″ of the caster (only 6″ if indoors, unless in a large natural cavern or the like) must save vs. spells or become violently ill and off balance, and can take no actions except to move at half speed. Their AC is at -2. They may attempt to save again at the end of each round. Monsters with no hearing are unaffected.

Magic-Users:
3rd level
Noxious Rhythm: This is identical to the 4th level Druid spell of the same name.

AD&D Version

Druid Spells
3rd level spells

Noxious Rhythm (Evocation)
Level: 4
Duration: Special
Area of Effect: 24″ radius outdoors, 6″ indoors
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 4 segments
Saving Throw: Special, see below

By pounding out a discordant beat, the Druid sets up vibrations which nauseate creatures within the area of affect. Those who fail to save vs. spell are reeling, dizzy, and nauseated, and can take no actions except to move at half speed. Affected creatures may attempt to save at the end of each round. Creatures which cannot hear are immune to this spell, while those with sensitive hearing (such as elves) save at -2. Anyone who stated they were taking precautions (covering ears, or stuffing beeswax in them) gains a +2 on their saves.

Magic User Spells
3rd level spells

Noxious Rhythm (Evocation)
This spell is identical to the Druid spell of the same name, except the material component is a broken toy drum and an ounce of rotting fish.

Pathfinder 2e

Bard Composition Spells

Noxious Rhythm Focus 5

Uncommon,Bard,Composition,Focus,Concentrate,Manipulate,Sonic
Area 30 foot emanation; Targets All enemies in area
Saving Throw Fortitude; Duration 1 minute

Unlike the pleasing, inspiring, or enthralling performance you usually create, this composition is raucous, discordant, and disorienting, shaking bones and shattering minds with its chaotic beats that follow no discernible pattern. All targets must make a Fortitude save, with the following outcomes:

Critical Success No effect
Success Sickened 1 until the end of their next turn
Failure Sickened 1 for one minute
Critical Failure Sickened 2 for one minute

In addition to the effects noted above, those who failed their save suffer a -10 foot status penalty to their Speed.

The pretty version: