Corrupt Spells — Vile Magic Rules

Corrupt spells are a special form of vile magic, not a Cleric domain. They originated in D&D 3.0’s Book of Vile Darkness and can be prepared by eligible prepared spellcasters, whether their magic is divine or arcane.

How Corrupt Magic Works

Prepared spellcasters can prepare corrupt spells in the same general way they prepare ordinary spells. Corrupt spells are not inherently divine or arcane: a divine caster casts one as divine magic, while an arcane caster casts one as arcane magic.

Instead of ordinary material components, corrupt spells impose a corruption cost, usually ability damage or ability drain. The cost is paid according to the individual spell’s rules. When a corrupt spell is used through a magic item, the user rather than the item’s creator pays that cost.

Corrupt Spells Present on This Site

Corrupt Spells and Clerics

A Cleric may be capable of preparing corrupt magic when the campaign uses these rules, but that does not make “Corrupt Spells” a domain and does not grant a separate domain spell slot. Domain choice and corrupt-magic access are different rule systems.

Related Divine Options

• Corruption Domain
• Evil Domain
• Demonic Domain
• Cleric Domains

Rules Sources and Licensing

The corrupt-magic rules originate in D&D 3.0’s Book of Vile Darkness. The defining rules point is that corrupt spells are not tied to one character class and are not inherently divine or arcane.