Walk of the Dead, Water School, Level 3

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[Fox]

Water Spells, Walk of the Dead (Level III)

Though Walk of the Dead does not really have any necromantic machinations, its eerie application has earned it the moniker. Walk of the Dead essentially turns the caster nearly invisible, along with creating a cold, silent fog that conceals the caster’s mostly transparent form, helping the invisibility effect.

Spell Effect.
Walk of the Dead accomplishes two tasks. First, it increases the influence of Water ounía in the caster himself, concentrating on the property of transparency. This essentially makes the target’s body see-through. Unlike the Wind spell Hide, this transparency is not nearly so concealing—there is a slight ripple and silhouette effect similar to viewing clear water. Therefore, the caster also increases the influence of the Water ounía within the air, concentrating on the property of coldness slightly to increase the thickness of the air (thus making it slightly more visible, as well as cold), creating a chilly fog.

This fog surrounds the caster’s form and generally spreads out to cover an entire room or walkway. The caster tends to walk through this fog. While it is clear that there is something disturbing the fog, the transparency of the caster prevents his form from being made out. In most situations, the illusion is so complete that a viewer will be unable to tell that there is a humanoid being in the fog, only a disturbance (and footsteps). This often gives the impression of the room becoming haunted by dead spirits, frightening all but the most resolute of individuals. This disturbance of mental state preventing the viewer from thinking clearly helps to hide the caster’s intent and movements, and also makes it more likely that if the viewer attempts to tell of what he has seen, he will be ridiculed for seeing ghosts where there are none.

Many powerful casters, seeking to increase the distracting, unearthly quality of the spell, also use their powers to slowly lift and move a variety of objects from a distance, hovering them around the room.
 
Casting Procedure.
The caster first concentrates on increasing the influence of the transparency property on their own body. As they are concentrating primarily on the transparency property rather than any other, this spell does not actually turn the caster to liquid (which would be fatal), only transparent as if they were liquid. The caster continues focusing to nearly completely turn themselves transparent (there will be a slight ripple when viewing objects from the other side of one’s body, so it is not true invisibility), and must maintain this focus throughout the duration of the spell in order to remain so.

Once the caster has finished the first portion, he must then focus his concentration on the air surrounding him. While focusing on the Water ounía in the air, he must increase the influence of the coldness property. He must be sure not to turn the Water completely to ice, but rather simply increase it enough to weigh down the air, increasing its visibility as a fine, chilly mist. Again, the caster must maintain this focus on the air throughout the duration of the spell. Usually, the caster will focus on the ounía in a full room of space, and, when moving, will shift his focus to new ounía ahead of him, releasing his concentration on the previous ounía as he moves away from it.

Magical Formula.
Not defined yet. 

Focus/Target.
This spell has two focuses. The first is the caster himself, and the second is the air surrounding him.

Reagents.
A jar of water or a piece of glass may help the caster concentrate on the transparent qualities inherent in the spell.

Spell Class.
Sphere I, Transformation (Physical Representation of the Water School).
 
Range.
The first part of this spell is point blank. The latter can generally fit a normal-sized room, though high-level magi may wish to create a larger field, sometimes enough to fill an entire audience chamber for the most powerful casters. 

Casting Time.
Walk of the Dead generally takes a quarter-minute to achieve the complete transparency, while the mist can often take a half-minute to completely fill out a normal-sized room.

Duration.
The duration is as long as the mage focuses on maintaining the spell. If standing in a single location and casting no other spells, a length of an hour or even longer for Sphere I magi is expected, though moving far distances or casting other spells will cut the length down by half or more.

Counter Measures/Enhancing Measures.
As mentioned, a common enhancing measure among high-level magi with access to Sphere II is the telekinetic lifting of multiple objects within near distance, simulating further the idea of haunting and taking attention away from the caster’s own fleeting disturbance of the fog.

Counter measures include heavy winds (natural or otherwise), which would blow the fog away, or opposing Water Magi counter-acting the spell’s effect. Oddly enough, nearly Fire nor Earth, two normally useful schools for counter Water effects, would actually enhance the spell, as increasing heat in the air will likely create a light steam from the melting mist and even create ripples in the air (which would help mask the rippling form of the caster), and Earth Magic would be prone to just make the air heavier, again likely helping the fog settle. Albeit, enough Earth Magic to weigh down the air could bring the fog to the ground, minimizing its concealment.

[Eléyr Fásamár]

Just thought I'd say that your ideas have been beautiful lately Fox!

[Azhira Styralias]

Just thought I'd say that your ideas have been beautiful lately Fox!

Agreed...what is even better is that these spells are low enough of a level that even my mages can use them! Kudos!

It's nice to see the Water school get their own "invisibility" spell to join the ones in the Fire and Wind schools...although I don't see an invisible spell from Earth, unless you want to walk around looking like a rock!

[Fox]

Agreed...what is even better is that these spells are low enough of a level that even my mages can use them! Kudos!

It's nice to see the Water school get their own "invisibility" spell to join the ones in the Fire and Wind schools...although I don't see an invisible spell from Earth, unless you want to walk around looking like a rock!

Actually, Earth can have an invisibility spell.

It'd be spiritual rather than physical. For instance, you could increase the influence of the earth property of stubborness in regards to the person's receptiveness of new visual/auditory information. Their eyes will see you, but their mind won't want to recognize the new environmental data received, so they'd be tricked into thinking that nothing is going on in front of them. As long as you move fast enough, their mind will just ignore the information their eyes are sending them and thus they will never actually 'see' you. In fact, I think I'm going to go write that right now.

Other methods could be reducing the influence of the Earth property of memory (I am firmly believing that memory is a property of Earth, as it is the desire to retain information despite the passage of time--the most powerful form of 'memory' for instance in the modern world is ancient eras of time leaving their mark in stone, which can last for thousands of years), so the person would forget they even saw anything (this would be more of an 'after you've been seen' spell, IE you go and hide someplace and cast the spell, the person will forget they ever saw anything in the first place).

[Mina]

Sounds like it's two spells in one.  Don't know how feasible it is, but given that both effects are achieved through similar means, I suppose it could work. 

Though Walk of the Dead does not really have any necromantic machinations, its eerie application has earned it the moniker.

Maybe there's a less sinister alternative name?  Not everyone would be comfortable with a name that sounds necromantic, I think.  But it's not really necessary to add one, if you don't want to. 

concentrating on the property of coldness slightly to increase the thickness of the air (thus making it slightly more visible, as well as cold), creating a chilly fog

Won't this merely create cold air?  Fog is, if I'm not mistaken, made up of water droplets, so increasing the influence of Water in general probably works better. 

Many powerful casters, seeking to increase the distracting, unearthly quality of the spell, also use their powers to slowly lift and move a variety of objects from a distance, hovering them around the room.

Not if they're trying to be as stealthy as possible, I think.  But yeah, it could be useful if they're close to being detected. 

Usually, the caster will focus on the ounía in a full room of space

That sounds like quite a large area.  Could a level 3 mage really do that? 

The first part of this spell is point blank.

Might want to replace 'point blank' with another term; see what I wrote in the other entry. 

If standing in a single location and casting no other spells, a length of an hour or even longer for Sphere I magi is expected

Do you mean level 3? 

As mentioned, a common enhancing measure among high-level magi with access to Sphere II is the telekinetic lifting of multiple objects within near distance, simulating further the idea of haunting and taking attention away from the caster’s own fleeting disturbance of the fog.

Well, this changes things a little.  Is it really possible to perform another spell while maintaining one?  I think in the past we generally considered it impossible, though I think very powerful magi (certainly well above level 4) might be able to do it. 

[Miraran Tehuriden]

Quote

As mentioned, a common enhancing measure among high-level magi with access to Sphere II is the telekinetic lifting of multiple objects within near distance, simulating further the idea of haunting and taking attention away from the caster’s own fleeting disturbance of the fog.

Well, this changes things a little.  Is it really possible to perform another spell while maintaining one?  I think in the past we generally considered it impossible, though I think very powerful magi (certainly well above level 4) might be able to do it. 

Well, you can train yourselves to be able to maintain several trains of thought at the same time, or create substreams in your concious mind.. so i suppose that with a LOT of practice, multiple casting would be possible, of course the more complicated a spell is, the harder it gets, and you can only maintain static-effect spells together with one active-effect spell.. (no two fireballs at the same time, but flame control and fireball cán be done. its a matter of determining wheather you need active or passive focus for a spelll..

[Fox]

Sounds like it's two spells in one.  Don't know how feasible it is, but given that both effects are achieved through similar means, I suppose it could work. 

All spells can be classified as variable spells in one. We would not be able to write spell entries for larger effects if we can't dictate the individual processes (individual spells as it were) to get to the end result. We *could* have 'Spell Groups', which are groups of spells that are used to accomplish a final effect, but personally I think listing multiple spells in the same spell entry is good enough for that.

Maybe there's a less sinister alternative name?  Not everyone would be comfortable with a name that sounds necromantic, I think.  But it's not really necessary to add one, if you don't want to.

TBH, I think the name is the least 'sinister' part of the spell.  Magi are known for giving sinister-sounding names to spells anyway. And it probably could be classified as a necromancy spell anyways (we don't really have any set terms for what really defines necromancy, since we don't have spell schools), but it's not really manipulating the dead themselves so it is 'legalized' as it were.

Won't this merely create cold air?  Fog is, if I'm not mistaken, made up of water droplets, so increasing the influence of Water in general probably works better.

It was meant to be both. It's an increase of the influence of Water in general, but the coldness property is also applied because when warm air hits cold air, it creates steam. Think like when you breathe out on a cold day, the air you breathe out is visible because its the warm air in your lungs coming into contact with the cold air outside. 
 

Not if they're trying to be as stealthy as possible, I think.  But yeah, it could be useful if they're close to being detected.

The spell as a whole is less about 'not being detected' and more about 'not being discernible'. There is no doubt about it that someone in the same room as this is all happening *will* notice it. So instead of trying to be stealthy, you instead are creating diversions.
 

That sounds like quite a large area.  Could a level 3 mage really do that?

Maybe not a level 3 mage right off the bat. But air naturally spreads, so even if the fog is only close by at first, it will gradually expand to fill the room with little input from the caster.

Might want to replace 'point blank' with another term; see what I wrote in the other entry.

I'll look for a different word then.

Do you mean level 3?

Yep, woops.

Well, this changes things a little.  Is it really possible to perform another spell while maintaining one?  I think in the past we generally considered it impossible, though I think very powerful magi (certainly well above level 4) might be able to do it.

I think basic, very easy spells can be done at the same time. For instance, maintaining minor wards or easy Sphere I spells should be doable at the same time as other spells. Major spells, like Sphere II/III spells, probably can only, at best, be done maybe two at a time, but only for the more easy ones.

It should be difficult, but not impossible. Afterall, if we couldn't, then no mage would be able to keep up 'buffs' *and* cast offensive spells at the same time (IE what's the point of a spell that hardens your skin against attacks if you can't cast spells after using it because the spell will fade instantly after you stop concentrating?).

We also have some spells that mimic casting two spells at once (IE this one, but also others, like Fireblast). Again, I think it's possible, but only with extreme concentration and only a small amount of relatively easy spells. IE, it'd be like dual-wielding, or juggling (which are more about splitting concentration between two things than strength or dexterity), but with spells--it's something you can do if you train yourself for, but you have a very high chance of fumbling ('fizzling' in our case) the more you try and handle at once, and the easier the spells the more likely you'll succeed.

[Emváy]

I think basic, very easy spells can be done at the same time. For instance, maintaining minor wards or easy Sphere I spells should be doable at the same time as other spells. Major spells, like Sphere II/III spells, probably can only, at best, be done maybe two at a time, but only for the more easy ones.

So instead of casting a single spell at a time mages can hurl them about in groupings? Love to see the focus of will required to do this. Might be similar to driving a car and flying a model airplane at the same time. IMHO

When a mage casts a spell that requires variable affects for the end result, the will is focused on the end result, not so much the specific components. Multiple castings at once truly divides the will where-as previous entries have the will determined on the single end result. That is where the difference rests in this theory compared to previous workings.

Even with this said, you are stating a sI using mage manipulating two separate car'alls at once.

P.S: Didn't really know Santharian mages were striving to be 'cliche' buff style practitioners.

Really Fox, I am at a loss trying to understand where it is you are trying to go with this. But I can honestly say I am in complete disagreement with the multiple casting concept you have mentioned. A mage has a 'will' not many wills.

[Fox]

So instead of casting a single spell at a time mages can hurl them about in groupings? Love to see the focus of will required to do this. Might be similar to driving a car and flying a model airplane at the same time. IMHO

And there are plenty of people who can do that, with the main problem not being the focus but being the amount of hands you can use. Maybe not on a first try but there are plenty of people who train to do similar feats. There's also all those people who drive a car and talk on the cellphone while doing their makeup at the same time.

When a mage casts a spell that requires variable affects for the end result, the will is focused on the end result, not so much the specific components. Multiple castings at once truly divides the will where-as previous entries have the will determined on the single end result. That is where the difference rests in this theory compared to previous workings.

It is concentrated on the specific components. The end result is an end result because of the steps taken to reach it. That is what Ximaxian system is, it is the building of a spell through a step by step manipulation of specific aspects to achieve an end result. Believing on the end result and letting the components do it themselves is what faith-based clerical magic is, not Ximaxian. Ximaxian magic is constructive.

And magi spend years training their discipline and will. They are not stupid, they are able to multi-task. Simple spells are just that... simple spells. That's why you can levitate both a book and a quill at the same time, you are concentrating on casting two different spells. Levitate a third thing, and you are casting a third spell. And on and on. Just because the spell is only listed in one entry on the site does not mean it is in fact a single spell. Are you going to say that a magi could not, in fact, manipulate two Car'allia at the same time? Well then, let's get rid of all our area of effect spells.

P.S: Didn't really know Santharian mages were striving to be 'cliche' buff style practitioners.

Yes, just as it's cliche for soldiers to wear armor. I use the term 'buff' because it's the easiest to understand, but it refers to maintaining defensive wards as well as casting offensive attacks.

If you don't like it, I'm sorry. If you believe yourself more original, then you can go and write the spells, if you wish.

A mage has a 'will' not many wills.

And we have a magic system not a spell system. We write spells in separate entries because it is the easiest way to understand them but our spells are not so limited. In Santharia, magic is magic, the aura is the aura and the will is the will, it is not divided into set and hard-coded spells, this is only done for the simplicity of it (you could call it 'cliche' if you wish). You are exactly right, a mage has a will, not many wills. And therefore he as much capability of doing multiple spells as anyone has in multi-tasking. By your reasoning, no multi-target spells can possibly work because we can't cast more than one spell at a time. Any spell that utilizes multiple focuses or targets is splitting your concentration. This is what makes them difficult, but they are still possible.

[Emváy]

~Shrugs ~ I am but an apprentice so I'll leave it to the more knowledgeable members to address a sI using mage working multiple car'alls and multiple castings in a single fell swoop. There is a difference between talking on a cellphone and something as complex as working the fabric of the world IMHO.

[Fox]

~Shrugs ~ I am but an apprentice so I'll leave it to the more knowledgeable members to address a sI using mage working multiple car'alls and multiple castings in a single fell swoop. There is a difference between talking on a cellphone and something as complex as working the fabric of the world IMHO.

Hence why you spend 9 years just to get to the level to even be able to cast the spell, while you can drive and talk on the cellphone at the same time on your first day. There's a definite difference, and it is a difference of extensive training.

It uses Sphere I effects, so I label it a Sphere I spell. If you think it's too powerful for Sphere I, I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do about that unless we reorganize our spell system. You are right in that it is a very difficult SI spell. Therefore, I placed it in the highest SI level. Unfortunately, said level is only 3.  S1 spells go into levels 1-3, and thus that is where I have placed the spell.


Now, if you would prefer me to split the spell into two separate spells, one for the transparency effect and one for the fog effect, and then let the individual mage choose if he is powerful enough to use them at the same time or not, then I can do that. If you don't agree with the way something works as written, then please make suggestions on how you see it could work better.

[Emváy]

You are working two separate car'alls with a sI spell Fox, but I think in the end you will find none that will agree with this. Other spells create a variety of influences within a single car'all, out side the higher workings of sII and sIII.

Didn't know I was somehow required to work all of this out for you?

I think I offered to do a full URI of these spells and you said "No thanks." Now you want them when I merely point out small discrepancies?

And really this is not a sI spell, the initial affect would need to be made long lasting so the secondary affect could then be integrated with it. More like a sII working underlayed with a sI IMHO. Unless of course everyone is fine with throwing the Birthday box full of spells all at once.

sII: Car'all about the caster strengthened with water ounia directly about the casters physical form then desired property expressed.

sI: Caster then focuses upon their own car'all concentrating to maintain/strengthen desired property ... IMHO

But as sII is already used it might be just as wise to to use that Sphere on both layers of this incantation. It gives that longer lasting affect you are seeking.

[Fox]

You are working two separate car'alls with a sI spell Fox, but I think in the end you will find none that will agree with this. Other spells create a variety of influences within a single car'all, out side the higher workings of sII and sIII.

There are some SI spells that can manipulate multiple targets (your own spell, in fact) with greater practice, and plenty others that don't specify.

If you believe that SI spells should only be able to be single target (which is not something that has been established in the past), then we can do that and I would be happy to keep that in mind for future spells. It would mean you'd need to update Fiery Minion, however.

Didn't know I was somehow required to work all of this out for you?

Sarcastic and antagonizing comments aren't necessary, Twen, and I'd appreciate it if you refrained from using them.

I think I offered to do a full URI of these spells and you said "No thanks." Now you want them when I merely point out small discrepancies?

No, you never offered this. In fact, what you said was that you found problems with some of my spells, and I asked you to tell me about them, and you said you wouldn't. So I don't know where you are gathering this idea that I said you couldn't comment on the spells, as I was hoping you would so I could get some critiques on them last week instead of everyone waiting for the last few days before the update.

And really this is not a sI spell, the initial affect would need to be made long lasting so the secondary affect could then be integrated with it. More like a sII working underlayed with a sI IMHO.

 

It is a S1 spell, because focus is maintained on both the effects. The mage does not stop concentrating on the transparency property when he begins to work on the surrounding Car'allia. However, this is changeable if deemed unworkable.

sII: Car'all about he caster strengthened with water ounia directly about the caster the desired property expresed

[...]

But as sII is already used it might be just as wise to to use that Sphere on both layers of this incantation. It gives that longer lasting affect you are seeking.

Strengthening Water ounia and expressing a desired property is Sphere I. It is only Sphere II if there is some kind of movement involved, which as the spell is written, there is none.

[Emváy]

Fiery Minion also requires focus on the targets with a set standard involved. You are doing two very separate things with separate car'alls. This spell is two very different goals wrapped into one. Also, Necromancy does not = Ximaxian.

No, you never offered this. In fact, what you said was that you found problems with some of my spells, and I asked you to tell me about them, and you said you wouldn't. So I don't know where you are gathering this idea that I said you couldn't comment on the spells, as I was hoping you would so I could get some critiques on them last week instead of everyone waiting for the last few days before the update.

Please don't lie to cover, I did say I found some inaccuracies back then and I shared them in IRC. As a mater of fact, I think it was Silfer, you and myself that discussed them. Yet, it was but a few hours hence I offered to assist with these spells in full.

Strengthening Water ounia and expressing a desired property is Sphere I. It is only Sphere II if there is some kind of movement involved, which as the spell is written, there is none.

But by moving the ounia so it is more abundant about the caster then expressing the desired affect is the only way I see for this double spell to have a chance of working. Wrong choice of word ... by strength I meant abundance, my mistake for not being more clear.

[Emváy]

By-the-by I don't comment for updates, I comment for accuracy and for the spirit of the site.

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