Undermine

[Transmutation] [Earth]
Level: [Nature 8], [Generalist 8]
Components: [S], [V], and [F]
Casting Time: 1 Standard action
Range: Personal
Effect: Self; ground collapse within close range, see text
Duration: 1 round per CL or until expended @{cl} rounds or until expended
Saving Throw: Reflex; partial, see text
Spell Resistance: No

Focus: At least a +4 focus.

Fine roots spread from your character's hands and feet, loosening the ground before them and bracing it behind them. Your character gains a 30 ft. burrow speed through earth and natural stone. This movement leaves an open tunnel large enough for your character and their equipment; other creatures can follow if they fit. It does not allow movement through metal or magical barriers. The tunnels remain after the spell ends.

While burrowing, your character cannot perform somatic components. They can still cast spells without somatic components, including spells modified by Signless Spell. All other casting requirements apply normally. Being underground does not prevent spells or abilities that do not require line of sight or line of effect from functioning according to their own rules.

Ground Collapse: As a standard action, your character can undermine selected 5-ft. ground squares within close range (25 ft. + 5 ft. per 2 CL), including while burrowing. Each selected square sinks 5 ft. and expends one round of the spell's remaining duration, in addition to the duration passing normally. Your character cannot select more squares than the number of rounds remaining. No existing tunnel beneath the selected squares is required.

Creatures standing on the selected squares descend with the ground and must make a Reflex save or fall prone. A successful save keeps a creature standing but does not prevent its descent. A creature occupying several selected squares makes only one save per use. This collapse does not itself deal damage, and flying creatures that are not standing on the ground are unaffected. The resulting depressions remain after the spell ends. Ground cannot be collapsed into an occupied underground space.

Unstable Ground: If your character burrows into ground affected by Liquefaction or Terraphage, or either spell affects the ground they currently occupy while burrowing, they are immediately forced to the surface in the corresponding square. The disturbed ground closes around them, trapping them in that square. This interaction does not grant a saving throw to avoid being forced to the surface or trapped; any other effects of the triggering spell resolve normally.

While trapped, your character cannot leave their square or resume burrowing. As a standard action, they can attempt a Strength or Escape Artist check against the trapping spell's DC to free themselves. Another creature that is not trapped can spend a full-round action to free them. The trap also ends if the trapping effect ends. Being trapped does not itself prevent attacks or spellcasting when your character is otherwise able to perform them. Undermine's duration continues to pass while they are trapped.

When Undermine ends while your character is underground, they are safely brought to the surface directly above their position, or the nearest unoccupied surface square if that square is occupied. Ending Undermine does not free your character from Liquefaction or Terraphage's trap.

VTT Macro Description:
@{character_name} gains a 30 ft. burrow speed through earth and natural stone for [[@{cl}]] rounds, leaving an open tunnel. While burrowing, they cannot perform somatic components, but can cast spells without them or use Signless Spell; other casting requirements apply normally. As a standard action, they can collapse selected 5-ft. ground squares within [[@{close_range}]] ft., lowering them 5 ft. and spending 1 remaining round per square. Creatures standing on those squares make a Reflex save or fall prone; successful saves keep them standing but do not prevent descent. Liquefaction or Terraphage affecting their ground while burrowing forces them to the surface and traps them. Escaping takes a standard action Strength or Escape Artist check against the trapping spell's DC, or an untrapped ally's full-round action. The trap also ends when the trapping effect ends. Undermine continues to expire while trapped. If it ends underground, they surface safely, but ending Undermine does not free them from a trap.

VTT Side Macro:
&{template:custom}{{title=Undermine}}{{subtitle=@{character_name}}}{{Action=Standard action; Ground Collapse}} {{Range=[[@{close_range}]] ft.}}{{Reflex Save=DC [[18+@{pma}+@{spell_prof}]]}} {{desc=Each selected 5-ft. ground square sinks 5 ft. and spends 1 round of Undermine's remaining duration. Creatures standing on selected squares descend with the ground and fall prone on a failed Reflex save. A creature occupying several selected squares makes only one save. The collapse deals no damage and cannot collapse ground into an occupied underground space.}}