Spell Effect. The name of this spell is somewhat misleading. It does not necessarily protect an animal but protects a designated target from predatory beasts. These could be animals such as carnivores or other beasts that prove harmful to many races. This spell has no effect against demons or their kind, nor will it deter a creature created by magic. It is a natural defense meant to keep the target and the area in the direct vicinity free from these natural predators. Any predator that may come close to the affected area will avoid it and immediately leave heading in the opposite direction. It is a handy spell when concentration is needed or desired for other endeavors when deep in the wilderness. Or a good spell when a mage alone wishes to travel through the wilderness and does not want to worry about attack from some wild animal.

Water is used to activate this spell because of its ability to take on a foul smell without losing its form until it has dried up. In this way a mage does not have to manipulate the aspect of water that much. What the mage does, is to manipulate the water cár'áll of the initial casting so that when it comes into contact with other moister, it will take on the same aspect as the spelled moister. The original area of the spell will create a curtain of fog and then fall away and roll outward like floodwaters, although not seen by the eye. The spell will seep into all things as it rolls outwards. Any moister, such as dew a drop of water or moist areas will take on the spell aspect. It will not affect large bodies of water such as lakes or rivers.

Although this is a good spell for many situations it should not be the only defense available. It is also advisable not to be used when a person desires to sleep except in short naps. The main reason for this is related to when the magic fades from the spell. The formerly spelled target becomes a draw to any beast that may have come into contact with the spell. The draw is not compelling causing the beast to rush back but it seems to bring the beast back of its own curiosity. This is even more so where carnivores are present as they return to check their territory. It is best to be aware of the spell’s duration and be gone from targeted areas. Or if it has been cast on the person to be constantly moving and not tarry long in any area where the spelled person recently travelled after the spell has expired.

Image description: The wizard and herbalist Dalmac Brandivere. Picture drawn by Eritinalinfalah.

It should be noted here that this is one of those few spells that have two different casting procedures to achieve the same thing. It depends on whether or not it is an area effect spell or a local effect spell. It also means that the spell ingredients will differ slightly, depending also on which casting the mage is after. This is also a spell that has caused a fight between traditionalists and progressive mages. Early in the 1600’s a herbalist by the name of Dalmac Brandivere came up with other reagents to achieve the same results. The result was not as offensive to the nose and probably just as effective. But traditionalist believed no spell should be altered, only the evolution of new ones. So now, depending on who is teaching this spell, there are two slightly different ways of casting it. The one thing all have in common is the need for water and the “sentence of will” to activate them. As the spell expands outward it will flow covering all causing moisture in the enspelled area to take on this repelling odor, acting as a marking agent of a nastier, deadlier beast marking his territory (sort of like any predator urinating to mark territory). This is what originally causes another predator to leave going in the opposite direction.

Casting Procedure. In all applications and in order to perform the spell, the Mage needs to be in direct contact with the target. These first procedures are the traditional way of casting the Animal Protection spell. For the area spell the mage must first make a shallow trench around the area that is to be protected. This shallow trench can be nothing more than a groove scratched in the earth. The groove must completely circle all areas in an unbroken connection. Then the mage takes four dried pellets of thumb sized reagents and place one in the furrow on the north, south, east and west. The mage then gets a little substance from inside the marked off area and sprinkles a little between each pellet. The mage must then soak his/her hands in water for a minute. While soaking his/her hands the mage concentrates to visualize a wall surrounding the required area. The mage then cups his/her hands holding water in them and utters the “Sentence of Will”. The mage then walks around his/her etched groove dropping a few drops of water on each pellet. He/she starts in the north going clockwise, making sure not to cross the desired area of protection. If all has gone correct, a mist will rise around the furrow before expanding outward and quickly dissipating. Now it is safe to cross back and forth over the furrows with no effect to the spell. The area of effect is also a lot larger than the originally marked area and thought to expand out a stral in all directions; but no one is certain exactly how vast this range extends. Of course the smell that lingers is reminiscent of the jakes on a hot day. One thing about the area spell is, that it cannot be a small circle with empty space within. Most mages get around this by placing their traveling pack or other such item within the grooved area.

For the local spell, which will protect sentient beings, the procedure is quite simple. The mage takes a dried thumb sized pellet and places it in one hand and cups the other to lift water with. The mage then clasps the two hands together holding them while visualizing a protection surrounding the target and utters the “Sentence of Will”. A miasma will arise from the mage's hands and he/she must then wipe the hands on the front and back of the target before the miasma dissipates. If this is done for a group only one in the group needs to have the spell done on them. Needless to say it is usually done on the unsuspecting member. If all know the spell there is usually a heated debate on who gets enspelled. Lets face it, who wants to smell like a walking latrine for the next couple of weeks? This spell has about the same range as the area spell.

Brandivere’s way of doing the area spell is the same in preparation except that water is poured in the groove before the other reagents go into it. When all is prepared, the mage goes to the north side of the groove where he/she will wet a finger saying the “Sentence of Will” and touch the dried pellet. A mist will arise and travel around the shallow trench until it is solid and then expand outward quickly dissipating.

Brandivere’s local spell is also slightly different when casting it. The mage takes a dried thumb sized pellet and places it in his hands and cups them. The mage then spits upon the pellet, utters the “Sentence of Will” and when the miasma rises he/she will wipe the hands on the target. The lingering aroma for both of these spells is a tainted peppery smell. A far cry from the traditional results.

A small note that should be added here: Because of Brandivere's re-interpretation of the spell and his use of new reagents, Animal Protection can be found in many newer spell books under the heading, "Brandivere's Animal Protection".

Magical Formula. Thró Már Rhú (Styrásh Thró Már Rhú), literally meaning, "beast water stink”.

Target. Animal Protection can be cast on an area or a living creature. For obvious reasons it is best on sentient beings. Most animals will shy away from the smell but a horse or dog can learn to become accustomed to the aroma after many applications by a mage.

Reagents. The traditional reagents are urine and sulphur. The urine must be from a wild animal and not a domestic one or there can be disastrous consequences. This urine is usually set in the sun to ripen more or ferment (for lack of better words). When the urine is ready it is mixed with sulphur. Sulphur is added until the mixture is firm enough to be rolled in to thumb sized balls. These are then left out to dry into hard yellowish pellets. The only difference in preparation is in the local spell. The urine for this aspect of the spell must be urine from a sentient being. The preparations are the same except many mages may put a slight dye to color the pellets so they know the difference. Blue is usually used making a sickly green pellet. A note here, the urine from a dune mouse is the best reagent making a stronger spell, but it is hard to come by and expensive.

Brandivere’s reagents are blackmoss, vinegar, egg whites and wild animal hair. Blackmoss is used in both aspects of the spell and it is dried and ground into as fine as power as possible. For the area aspect of the spell, vinegar and a few wild animal hairs are added to the blackmoss until it is firm enough to be rolled into thumb sized pellets. These are left to dry into hard dark gray pellets. It has been found that white wine that has gone to vinegar can be substituted and often to better effect. For the local aspect of the spell, the egg white is separated from the yolk and left to spoil. A drop or two of vinegar is often used to prevent the egg whites from drying out. When ready, it is mixed with the blackmoss until firm enough to make thumb sized pellets. These are left to dry making hard gray pellets.

Magical School. Elemental Magic, Water School.

Spell Class. Growth.

Range. The caster needs contact with his/her target. The higher your level the more persons the caster will be able to affect with the energy of the spell.

• Level 1-3 (Novitate Levels): can only do the local casting (short range)

• Level 4-6 (Initiate Levels): able to cast both aspects of the spell (short range)

• Level 7-9 (Magicati Levels): able to cast both aspects of the spell (medium duration)

• Level 10-12 (Archmage Levels): able to cast both aspects of the spell (maximum duration)

Note: Like all magic spells, range and duration with this spell is not guaranteed, only probable. How effective, range and duration depends on many various factors like luck, intelligence, weariness of the caster, etc.

Casting Time. Actual casting is 5-10 seconds. The preparation is what takes the most time and is dependent on each particular mages spell work.

Duration. Approximately 5 to 24 hours. The mage's level and ability has a direct affect on duration of the spell. The stronger the mage's ability and their level will determine how long the spell’s effect lasts. Every casting does not have the same duration but will usually last about the same time frame for a mage. It will not be short one time and long the next. When higher levels are achieved, the range seems to be a constant and is not affected by the mage’s ability or strength.

Counter Measures/Enhancing Measures. None specified.