Geas

You place a magical command on a creature that you can see within range, forcing it to carry out some service or refrain from some action or course of activity as you decide. If the creature can understand you, it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become <a href="/rules/conditions/charmed-condition-5e/">charmed</a> by you for the duration. While the creature is <a href="/rules/conditions/charmed-condition-5e/">charmed</a> by you, it takes 5d10 psychic damage each time it acts in a manner directly counter to your instructions, but no more than once each day. A creature that can't understand you is unaffected by the spell. You can issue any command you choose, short of an activity that would result in certain death. Should you issue a suicidal command, the spell ends. You can end the spell early by using an action to dismiss it. A remove curse, greater restoration, or wish spell also ends it.

At a Glance

Level
5th
School
Enchantment
Casting Time
1 minute
Range
60 feet
Duration
30 days
Concentration
No

How Geas Works

Casting Time1 minute
Range60 feet
ComponentsV
Duration30 days
Saving ThrowWisdom

Damage

5d10 psychic (if command disobeyed)(Wisdom)

At Higher Levels

When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 7th or 8th level, the duration is 1 year. When you use a 9th level spell slot, the spell lasts until it is ended by one of the spells mentioned above.

Common Mistakes

Common Mistake
Forgetting the 1-minute casting time - not for combat
Common Mistake
Issuing vague commands that can be interpreted away
Common Mistake
Not tracking the 30-day duration
Common Mistake
Thinking the damage prevents disobedience - it's a punishment, not prevention

DM Tips

DM Tip
Great for forcing long-term service from NPCs
DM Tip
The creature can still disobey, they just take damage
DM Tip
At higher levels, becomes nearly permanent
DM Tip
Can be a plot device - PCs might encounter NPCs under geas

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Further Reading