So I've been playing a ton of Elden Ring lately (Main reason I haven't been posting in a little while to be honest), and I've been loving it!
It has inspired me for a crap ton of content, I won't be converting the full game to D&D, mostly because I'd like to still have a life, but there are aspects of it, and certain bosses, that I will definitely port over, starting with the Frenzy stuff!
Had to create a whole new condition for it, but I believe it works well.
The only spell I'm not 100% sure of is inescapable frenzy, but then again, madness can only affect humanoid enemies normally, so it feels like a fair limitation.
More D&D content on my Patreon!
Take Care!
Frenzied Flame Spells
These spells all inflict madness as seen in Elden Ring, not the optional rule in the DMG.
Condition: Madness
A creature that becomes affected by madness takes fire damage equal to twice their CR or level (minimum of 1). This damage cannot be reduced or ignored in any way. If the creature possesses spell slots, it needs to roll 1d8. It expends a spell slot of level equal to the number rolled (or its highest spell slot if the number rolled is too high).
A creature that becomes affected by madness is stunned (see the condition) until the end of of its next turn, the madness then ends.
Monkey Note
Madness only affects humanoid-type creatures in the game, feel free to add this restriction to your D&D game as well, alternatively you could make it not affect creatures that cannot be charmed. In addition each madness spell normally builds up madness in the caster as well, but for the sake of simplicity and balance I decided to remove that part.
Flame of Frenzy
2nd-level evocation (Cleric, Paladin, Warlock)
Incantation originating from the maddening Three Fingers.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self (20-foot cone)
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
The yellow flame of frenzy bursts forth from your eyes. All creatures in a 20-foot cone in front of you must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 fire damage and must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save a creature has -3 on saving throws against madness for the next minute, or until it succumbs to madness. If the creature fails the saving throw by 5 or more, it succumbs to madness.
Howl of Shabriri
2nd level evocation (Cleric, Paladin, Warlock)
It is said that the sickness of the flame of frenzy began with Shabriri, the most reviled man in all history.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self (15-foot radius)
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You release a maddening shriek that causes madness in foes nearby All creatures in a 15 foot radius centered on you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save a creature has -4 on saving throws against madness for the next minute, or until it succumbs to madness. If the creature fails the saving throw by 5 or more, it succumbs to madness. While screaming in this way your movement speed becomes 0. You can use an action on subsequent turn to keep howling forcing all creatures in range to repeat the saving throw. The spell ends if you use your action to do anything else.
Inescapable Frenzy
5th-level evocation (Cleric, Paladin, Warlock)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Causes the yellow flame of frenzy to blaze from your eyes, you then latch onto a foe, spreading the madness. Make a melee spell attack against a creature within range, on a hit, you grapple the creature, it takes 6d6 fire damage and succumbs to madness.
Unendurable Frenzy
4th-level evocation (Cleric, Paladin, Warlock)
It is the maddening pain and unstoppable tears of those afflicted with the flame of frenzy brought into being.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self (15-foot cone)
Components: V
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Causes the yellow flame of frenzy to violently burst forth from your eyes. All creatures in a 15-foot cone in front of you must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 5d8 fire damage and must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save a creature has -2 on saving throws against madness for the next minute, or until it succumbs to madness. If the creature fails the saving throw by 5 or more, it succumbs to madness. On subsequent turns you can use your action to keep the flames of frenzy going. The spell ends if you use your action to do anything else. While this spell is active your movement speed is halved.
Frenzied Burst
5th-level evocation (Cleric, Paladin, Warlock)
In times past, every single person who attempted to control the flame of frenzy succumbed to madness after a desperate internal struggle. This incantation is testament to a meager victory.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 90 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Classes: Cleric, Paladin
Concentrated blasts of the yellow flame of frenzy are released from your eyes. Choose a creature within range that you can see. It must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 10d8 fire damage and must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save it has -2 on saving throws against madness for the next minute, or until it succumbs to madness. If the creature fails the saving throw by 5 or more, it succumbs to madness.
