Exploiting
elemental Earth’s properties of permanence
and resistance to change, impede makes an established idea ‘stick’ with the
spell’s target, while simultaneously increasing their resistance to the
acceptance of new ones. The resulting effect is a decrease in the rate at which
a person is able to make decisions or process new information as their mind
remains frozen in a single state.
Spell Effect. A
relatively basic spell available to most mages, Impede achieves affects its
target through the use of Sphere I techniques. In its most basic form, the
incantation calls for the mage to alter the car’all that reflects their target’s
mind by dramatically increasing the influence of
Earth within it, causing its properties to
be displayed far more prominently. In its crudest incarnation, often seen when
cast by magi who have not yet fully mastered the use of Sphere I and thus are
unable to limit which properties of an element are displayed, Impede is
frequently accompanied by a range of other effects, such as the freezing of
emotions or displays of uncharacteristic resoluteness or obstinacy.
As the mage progresses with his studies, however, and becomes more familiar with
both the spell and the Sphere, the control he is able to exercise over the
incantation grows considerably. By the time most begin their studies of the
second Sphere, it is not uncommon for casters to not only ensure the desired
properties of the element are exhibited exclusively, but also, in some cases,
are able to apply the spell so precisely that only certain ideas, concepts or
lines of thought are affected.
Casting Procedure.
As a result of its basic nature, the casting procedure for Impede is far from
complex. After having established a connection with their target, be it through
sight or physical touch, and having gained the necessary level of concentration,
the mage must simply reach out to their target’s
cár’áll and increase Earth’s dominance
over the mind.
Magical Formula.
Still to be defined.
Focus/Target. This
spell can be cast upon all sentient beings.
Reagents. Many have
found clay, dust or stone to be useful as a tool to assist in focusing in on
their target. By the time most magi have completed their studies of Sphere I
they no longer find the use of such a crutch necessary.
Spell Class.
Spiritual Representation of Sphere I, Sphere of Inertia.
Range. When first
practicing with the spell, most magi find they need to be in close proximity to
their target, but, as their skill with the spell increases, this requirement
slowly becomes obsolete.
Casting Time. The
amount of time it takes a mage to successfully cast Impede over his or her
target is a function of both his or her familiarity with the spell as well as
her skill as a mage. Magi who are familiar with the spell and who are of higher
levels will be able to successfully evoke the
Earth’s permanence in the car'all of their target's mind in just a few
blinks while younger casters may require upwards of five minutes to complete the
spell.
Duration. Like other
Earth spells of the First Sphere, Impede
is subject to the Element’s ‘glaze of permanence’, causing it to linger after
the spell has been released. Though the target will eventually have his or her
original mental capacities restored, the amount of time it will take to recover
is dependent upon the caster’s familiarity with the spell, his skill as a mage
and the extent to which Earth’s influence
was altered. (Greater alterations will take longer to dissipate than smaller
ones.)
Counter Measures/Enhancing Measures.
Weaker magi unable to prompt dramatic fluctuations in an elements influence
generally find a succession of several castings of Impede to heighten the
effects of the spell by compounding the changes to reach their desired result.
Similarly, groups of magi targeting the same being are able to achieve a more
pronounced outcome than when working individually.
Impede’s effects can be countered through the prompting of the target’s mind to
once again become animated and fluid. As such, by increasing the influence of
any of the other three elements to trigger the movement of
wind, liveliness of
fire and flow of
water, a mage is able to restore the
affected person to his or her original state.
Since each person’s cár’áll is distinctly different
making it difficult for an Earth mage to
restore a target to his or her full mental capacities immediately. However, by
reducing the influence of Earth upon the
mind, it is possible to reduce the duration of the spell’s glaze of permanence
by serving as a catalyst to quicken the reversion rate.
