This came up out of nowhere pretty much, but I was thinking about that spell, and pretty much figured it would be nice if it was modified a bit to make it more appealing to use.

Right now, it is nothing more than a bark skin that can ONLY be casted upon enemies or undead that you summon, which only last 3 rounds per level, anyway. Maybe pale masters can cast this on themselves....I'm not too sure of that though. If they can't, then you will never be able to live out the duration of the spell, 10 minutes per level, because your summons will -always- fade first. It makes more sense just to drop the spell and prepare another summon creature, or, another useful spell for that level.

I can think of two things that would make the spell more inviting to use. One thing would simply seeing a higher AC bonus. Either have it set, or dynamic, based on level. Perhaps, +2 AC with an additional +1 per 2 levels. The second idea is that strengthing the bones of your undead creation would actually make it last longer as well, maybe doubling the duration, or even...making it last all the way to the end of the strong bones spell, at which point the construct collaspes into dust.

Yes? No? Maybe? :)

Coldburn stamps his Seal of Approval (Trademark 2006) on this line of thinking.

I like the second idea.

Its also pretty easy to make the spell work on palemasters.

No one ever preps this spell. It needs a reason to be prepped. This sounds quite good.

Yeah, it was always one of the most useless spells around. Sorta went together with the general uselessness of the pale master PrC it came with. :)

I think (not sure?) that undead created with the Animate Dead spell will stick around longer than summons.

Anyhow-- suggestion implemented!

+2 AC with an additional +1 per 2 levels.