Fear
Names what a creature must be afraid of, and lets the ground do the rest
Fear reaches into a creature's emotions and gives it something to be afraid of. The caster names the source—themselves, an ally, an enemy, anyone in sight—and on a failed Will Save the target is Frightened of that one creature for 1 round per caster level.
Naming the source is the whole tactic. Point a swordsman's fear at the barbarian in front of him and he gives ground; point it at the barbarian who has already cut off his only way out, and he stops defending himself against the blows that follow.
Spell Scaling
| Spell Level | Targets | Flight begins when the source is within |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | one creature | 30 ft |
| 3 | one creature per caster level, all fearing the same source | Close range: 30 ft + 5 ft per caster level |
At level 3 the ground a victim must put behind it grows with the caster. A hall that lets someone escape at caster level 5 will not let them escape at caster level 20.
What It Does Not Reach
A creature with no mind to reach makes no Will Save and feels nothing; the undead are the common case (3). Mental Fog closes a mind against fear imposed on it directly, and Dispel Magic ends the spell on the ordinary caster level check.