Sword of Darkness

(Spell Compendium, page 217, DnD 3.5)

Necromancy[Evil]

Level: ; Sorcerer/Wizard 7
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Effect: Black blade of negative energy
Duration: 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes

You shatter the sword in your hand against a stone, bringing into being a similar weapon made entirely of black energy. As soon as it forms, the black blade attacks.

This spell functions like sword of deception, except that you cause a black blade of pure negative energy to appear and attack opponents at a distance, as directed by you. Instead of dealing damage, a sword of darkness bestows one negative level on each successful hit against a living creature, threatens a critical hit on a roll of 19-20, and bestows two negative levels on a critical hit. Negative levels usually have a chance of permanently draining the subject's levels, but the negative levels from sword of darkness don't last long enough to do so. However, if the subject gains at least as many negative levels as it has Hit Dice, it dies.

If the sword strikes an undead creature, it grants that creature 5 temporary hit points per two caster levels (maximum 25 temporary hit points) that last for up to 1 hour.

Material Component: A bastard sword or longsword, which is shattered against a stone while casting the spell.