You conjure ghostly, skeletal hands that grasp a creature you can see within range.

The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or take 1d4 necrotic damage as ghostly hands cling to its body. On a failed saving throw, the target is also grappled for the duration. On a successful save the spell immediately ends.

On each of your turns for the duration, you can use your action to deal 1d8 necrotic damage to target automatically. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns ending the spell on itself on a successful saving throw.

Cantrip Scaling. This spell's damage increases by one die when you reach 5th level (2d4 or 2d8), 11th level (3d4 or 3d8), and again at 17th level (4d4 or 4d8).