Spell for Review : Flare Bit

Games Discussion Ars Magica
1

Flare Bit Creo Aurum, L20

Base : 3 (Create Debilitating Air, in this case, thick black smoke)

Range : Voice (+2)
Duration : Momentary(+0)
Target : Group(+2)

Other : Ignem Requisite (+1) (Flash of light, enhances spell effect)

Surrounds a target with a series of thick black smoke puffs, which appear with a flash of light and a loud report. It does no damage, though the flash of light and the noise serves as an excellent distraction , and the smoke does block vision for a brief period, as the smoke disperses.

Another version of this spell exists at L15, and does not have the Ignem requisite (and does not produce a flash of light when the smoke is created).

Steve

2

I think that it would be nice to include some sort of mechanical description off the effects of the smoke and flashes.

This spell would not be able to target a character unless it penetrates that character's spell resistance, so a similar spell that targets a room or area may be even more useful.

3

The spell is designed to force concentration rolls for spellcasters, by being a loud and noisy distraction (one roll, not several). The smoke is thick enough to block vision for a moment, making things that require sight of the target difficult at best. The noise and light are enough to startle (think, firecracker), but not damage.

As the spell is a Creo spell, it can have either a target of Individual, or Group. Since the spell is designed to effect a relatively small area, the base group of 10 suffices...Wait a minute... Those are some HUGE clouds of smoke...an indiviudal aurum effect covers an area 100 paces across!

I could reduce the target to individual - an area that is roughly 100 paces across for Aurum - and still fill the area with smoke puffs, the effect of smoke puffs being largely cosmetic.

Penetration shouldn't be a problem now, given the spell's low level. Most of the people who can cast it have pretty good arts scores, at least at our covenant. :slight_smile:

Redone...
Flare Bit, Creo Aurum, L10

Base : 3 (Create Debilitating Air, in this case, thick black smoke)

Range : Voice (+2)
Duration : Momentary(+0)
Target : Individual (+0) (an area of up to 100 paces across)

Other : Ignem Requisite (+1) (Flash of light, enhances spell effect)

The spell, when cast, fills an area with smoke, which appears as a series of thick, black puffs of smoke. They appear with a loud report and a flash of light, which serves as an excellent distraction, forcing a concentration roll (only one), if required. The smoke is thick enough to block vision for a moment, making such things that require sight difficult as best.

The smoke starts forming around the center of the area, and works it's way out to the edges. The smoke disperses normally, though natural phenomena my cause it to disperse more quickly.

Another version of this spell exists at L5, and does not have the Ignem requisite (and does not produce a flash of light when the smoke is created).

Steve

4

Even with the edit, Erik asked for a mechanical description of the spell. I don't have my books at work today, so I can't offer one. Specifically, a line should be added detailing something like, Target must roll +X v Distraction to prevent spell failure.

When I think about it, one could argue that both the sound and light are magical effects and so can be resisted. If the Parma Magica was not penetrated, no distraction roll is necessary.

I'm not totally set on this, it's just something that popped into my head. If this is true, I still agree with Steve that given the low level of this spell penetration should be high and so pentrating Parma Magica should be easy.

5

I think that the species (?) from the spell are causeing the distraction rather than the magic itself. It would not be resisted for the same reason that a magus can percieve an illusion.

6

I believe the concentration roll target for a loud noise/bright light is 9+ (pg 82, ArsM 5ed, 'Concentration Table').

There are no modifiers for obscurement in combat (that I can find), but the smoke blocks vision for a moment, possibly allowing for increased difficulty in archery, and quick cover for a disengagment. Melee wouldn't be affected greatly, however.

Remember, too, that it works both ways. They may not be able to see you for a moment, but you can't see them, either.

Steve

7

Your right. I agree. :slight_smile: