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FIRE
SPELLS:
SPARKLING
STREAM
(LEVEL
I) |
Sparkling
Stream is one of the most popular spells among people without
magical training because of the wonderful visual
effects, often performed at great festivals and celebrations. This spell
produces impressive clouds and streams of sparks in many different colors, based
on the reagentia used by the magician.
Spell Effect.
Sparkling Stream's effect is considered not useful apart from being a good
source of money for the fire mage. It produces a
stream of flying sparks with many possible colours. These streams and clouds may
then, by the practiced caster, be interwoven in any shape and direction desired,
allowing for many different visual effects. Often performed by mages at
festivals, carnavals, and other important festivities, this spell provides the
adept fire mage with a nice extra income, as a
skilled "Sparkworker" may charge a considerable amount for a night of
pyrotechnic entertainment.
Casting Procedure.
Casting the Sparkling Stream is done in one of three ways, depending on the
skill of the mage in question, as this determines how the reagents might be
applied in order to function properly.
Sphere I
The mage gathers power by focussing for a few moments, then throws out a handful
of his reagent powder of choice into the direction the spell should be cast.
(Alternatively, an assistant might do this instead, in which case a
sling-shot may be used to create a
larger powder cloud. ) As soon as the powder is released, the mage releases the
power, by reciting the magical formula, usually
accompanied by a broad gesture towards the reagent powder. This sets the links
with fire ounia in the targeted flying
reagents to soór state so that they may
catch fire. The burning of the reagent
powder then results in the desired effect, a stream of coloured sparks of
flames.
Sphere II
Mages of Sphere II use the same procedure concerning the application of their
reagents, but the effect of their spell on the
cár'áll of the targeted area is
different. Instead of using only existing links and changing those to
soór (producing only a meager effect),
they flood the cár'áll of the
targeted area with new soór links,
setting fire to their reagents in a more
drastic way. This level requires the use of the
magical formula, but many experienced casters of this spell find they need
but to think the chant, and accompany it with a wave of their hand. Second
sphere casters are able to produce a greater effect than first sphere mages, and
may extend their stream beyond the original powder cloud, infusing the particles
with the spiritual properties of fire to
allow them to gain speed.
Sphere III
Sphere III casters are the true masters of this spell, and are most sought after
by royalty to provide magical entertainment at
festivities (providing such a powerful mage is interested at all in such
fireworks). Third sphere mages may cast this spell without the use of any
launched reagents, adding addtionally gathered
fire ounia to the
air in such a way that it ignites into
sparks. The mage may decide shape, and flowing speed of the sparks, where more
experienced magi can use the sky as their personal drawing board. It is rumored
that the opening of the Red Tower of Ximax
was accompanied by a grand show the likes of which have never been seen again,
the Archmage creating the image of an animated golden
dragon, the favoured mascot of most of
the towers inhabitants, composed entirely of coloured sparks, who then continued
to soar around the tower for at least two full hours.
The reagents used by these high level mages are strictly used to add color. By
throwing the reagents into a nearby flame, often a bowl of burning oil, and then
using the released coloured light to 'fuel' their stars, they can infuse their
castings with extraordinary visual effects.
Magical Formula.
Not yet defined.
Focus/Target. The
target of the Sparkling Stream spell is a cloud of reagent dust or any open
space of air - the latter applies for
experienced mages only.
Reagents. This is the
most important part for this spell at the lower levels. Again the three spheres
of magic each require different reagents, with less
and less materials needed as the mage grows in power.
Sphere I mages must use powdered sulphur or tinder as a base ingredient, and add
to this the colouring reagent(s) of their choice.
Sphere II mages may choose to forgo on the sulphur, and use nothing but the bare
colouring reagents, They gain more control over the spell in this way, but also
use more of their powers to cast it.
Sphere III mages need not use any reagent to create the sparks, although some
prefer to use them anyway in order to ease their casting. Reagents are used
instead to add colour to their workings.
Colouring can be achieved by the folllowing reagents:
These colours may be mixed to produce an even wider array of colours. For
instance, purple sparks are made by using a mixture of fyrite flakes and
Xazuran powder.
Spell Class.
Physical representation of Sphere I, II or III.
Range. Any space of
air within sight.
Casting Time. The
casting time of this spell varies greatly, depending on the skill, and type of
reagent used. The table below gives an average time for each combination of mage
level and reagent. When multiple reagents are combined, the reagent with the
longest associated casting time determines the amount of time needed. The given
casting time definitions in the table are mere estimations though and therefore
constitute a rough approximation only, as the correct amount of
blinks is very difficult to
measure.
| Reagent/Level | Level 1-3 | Level 4-6 | Level 7+ |
| Ash Salts | 10 blinks | 5 blinks | Instant |
| Calcium | 15 blinks | 7 blinks | 2 blinks |
| Charcoal | 10 blinks | 5 blinks | Instant |
| Copper | 18 blinks | 14 blinks | 7 blinks |
| Fyrite | 12 blinks | 9 blinks | 4 blinks |
| Greenflash | 10 blinks | 3 blinks | Instant |
| Iron | 18 blinks | 12 blinks | 6 blinks |
| Magather | 18 blinks | 12 blinks | 6 blinks |
| Malthanune | 12 blinks | 10 blinks | 8 blinks |
| Salpeter | 10 blinks | 8 blinks | Instant |
| Soot | 11 blinks | 8 blinks | 4 blinks |
| Xazuran | 14 blinks | 12 blinks |
7
blinks
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Duration. Depending
on the method used, either as long as the reagent burns, or as long as the
magic used retains its power. (Also see the example
in the Sphere III section of the Casting Procedure
section.)
Counter Measures/Enhancing Measures.
Wind mages may diffuse the sparks, scattering
them randomly, although it rarely ever happens, as this spell is seldom used in
such a way someone would take offense to it. Although cases are known that
someone took a Sparkling Stream to the face from an angered
fire mage, this spell is not verry suitable for
such 'acts of anger', since the fire school
teaches many more efficient spells to deal with these situations.
When assigned an important assignment, the fire mage
often chooses to recruit a wind mage to his
side, then, as the fire mage provides the
sparks, the wind mage uses
air currents to steer them into the
desired direction. Although this method produces the best effects, a lot of
planning must be done beforehand, as both mages must know exactly which shape
and colour is required for the spell they are casting, and often have little
time to talk while they are working.
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