The incantation, Draconic Effigy was inspired when a fire mage watched a companion use the "Rise of The Phoenix” spell. The title of this invocation is due to the dragonlike aura that manifests about the caster throughout the duration of this blazing conflagration. This magic is also occasionally called "Lava Dragon” or "Flight of the Inferno“. The aura permits the caster an easier way to manipulate their element, fueling this incensed firestorm, and in this process granting the magic-user the ability to rise from the ground in a slow measured form of flight.

Spell Effect. This spell in its initial phases aligns the caster’s cár’áll so that it is more receptive to Fire ounía within the caster and about them. Ximaxian fire mages affectionately refer to this as “The Line of Fire”. Though this receptivity allows the mage an easier time in the manipulation of their particular element it does have dangers in its own right. This ease of manipulation and movement of Fire ounía can be disastrous to the untrained, hence why this theory is not taught till a mage's advanced studies of fiery magic.

This simplicity of bringing larger concentrations and strength of ounía to bear through the caster's willpower can be unsettling to say the least, having frightened numerous delvers to not seek further knowledge in this aspect of their craft. More than a few would be practitioners of this aspect of Fire are now nothing more than piles of ash scattered upon the winds. A simple miscalculation in the proper alignment of the caster's cár’áll is easily enough to allow large quantities of Fire ounía to consume them. But the rewards in its applications can be astounding and is a constant lure for those seeking perfection of their art.

As this "Line of Fire" is drawn through the fabric of the caster’s aura, it is almost immediately ignited upon invocation of this spell. Parallel to "Rise of the Phoenix”, this magical incantation causes a flaming aura to become visible about the caster. But as this aura lifts the caster off the ground the mage uses the line of Fire in their aura to continually feed the flames that elevate the wizard. The mage himself/herself is lifted up from the ground in the moment of casting and remains so for the duration of the incantation.

This lends viewers to think the mage is flying upon the superheated updraft caused from a highly concentrated gathering of Fire ounía. By altering the strength and weakness of Fire ounía within various parts of the aura the mage creates specific amounts of released heat drafts. Hence movement is accomplished by fluctuating these concentrations in measured amounts for accurate directional control. This blazing inferno creates a mournful howl about the caster, some liken it to the growling of a primordial beast. The furious conflagration about the magic-user is blistering hot to all those within a few peds. It is so searing that most missile weapons hurled in the caster's direction are incinerated before reaching them.

The incantation complete, finally leaves a fire mage submerged in an aura shaped like a flaming dragon, shrouding the user’s body within its depths. The arms of the caster look to be like the arms of a powerful dragon encased in sweeping Fire. The legs become shrouded in an inferno that appears to be a tapering forked tail. The head of the mage is lost in a visage of infernal flames resembling the gapping maw of a roaring serpent. Large plumes of Fire rise from behind them, lending the impression of fiery wings outstretched to near 2 peds distance. The flaming wings that appear in this particular area of the aura are a physical manifestation of a large concentration of Fire ounía. This assists the mage in keeping an upright position, working in opposition to the push at the caster's feet.

Casting Procedure. Draconic Effigy requires only a few blinks to gather the required energy from within the mage and from about them, which causes the Fire ounía to align, allowing the mage to vent large amounts of heat and excessive Fire ounía about them. Once this line is complete, this concentration and strength of ounía can be viewed as a raging inferno whirling about the caster's form.

Problems observed from knowledgeable fire magi, notes from Ximaxian documents: Due to the open arrival of Fire ounía within this particular incantation a mage invoking this exacting magic could conceivably consume themselves with flames. All precautions should be taken to remain focused upon the matters at hand or the slightest hint of instability should prompt the fire mage to discontinue this spell. Even with the successful completion of this invocation the mage is frequently left with a weakened fire cár’áll. Therefore a caster should never push the time limits of this magic, preferably ending this magic within a safe timeframe from its final moments.

Magical Formula. Not yet defined.

Focus/Target. This spell may only affect the caster. Casting this magic upon others or even objects is not possible, all attempts have resulted in said objects or persons being incinerated. The amount of Fire involved in this magic is thought too great for a mage's control when not intricately relegated by the Fire ounia within the caster's cár’áll. Some evidence of this can be gleamed by the fact that Draconic Effigy weakens the fiery aspects of the mage's aura. One can only guess how hard it would be to control such a torrent of flames when not so closely aligned to them.

Reagents. Ashes are the best reagent for this incantation, as they are sprinkled from brow level, this represents the line of fire the mage wishes to create within their own aura.

Spell Class. Sphere III, Pyrification, Fire Imbuement Class. Spiritual/Physical Representation.

Range. See Target. As the spell only affects the caster, it has no range.

Casting Time. Draconic Effigy requires very little casting time and can be active within moments. All that is required is a few blinks for the mage to concentrate and the magic-user becomes a blistering inferno hovering above the ground. Yet in its beginning stages, a span of near four blinks, the sound of the fires rise from a temperate moan to a ceaseless primordial roar echoing about the caster.

Duration. It should be noted that during the manifestation of this spell the mage cannot manipulate Fire ounía to create any further magical invocations. At the various levels the following durations can be observed:

• Level 9
  The mage can remain in this blazing state for nearly 3 minutes and can walk through the air at a casual pace. The heat generated while in this form is enough to ignite any flammable object within a ped of the caster. Also this aura will easily destroy any incoming objects the size of an arrow or less in mass.

• Level 10
  The magic-user can remain aflame for near 6 minutes and can now travel at the speed of a steady jog. Any combustable object within 2 peds will ignite in the mages passing and objects the size of a spear will be reduced to ash if hurled at the caster.

• Level 11
  This flaming form can be maintained for almost 10 minutes and the caster can now move about at the speed of a full run. With this level of mastery, objects of all types within 2 peds of the caster will become exceedingly hot and blistering to the touch.

Counter Measures/Enhancing Measures. A powerful wind mage, of a level exceeding the caster of Draconic Effigy, could use a plethora of wind magic to push the floating fire mage away from them. A wind mage of equal level could wage a war of attrition with the caster and hold them at bay till the duration of this spell comes to a conclusion.

A potent water mage could attempt to dowse the flames, yet this would indeed create a large cloud of searing steam. Possibly harmful for both combatants or to innocent bystanders, though this too would be a contest of who had greater control of their element. A weaker water mage would only create the cloud of boiling steam and leave the fire mage untouched, shortening the duration of this magic in proportion to the amounts of water used. But a more potent water mage would extinguish the flames in a scalding explosion of steam, most likely fatal to the fire mage, yet still possibly harmful to themselves.

As for possible enhancements: A large Fire source, rich in Fire ounía, would feed this spell making both the strength of the aura greater and add up to another 2 peds to the area of effect. Another fire mage adding Fire ounía to this spell or strengthening the present ones would enhance the aura in addition to extending the duration. 

5th Rising Sun 1666 a.S. Information provided by Twen Araerwen