The spell
Nightshade Cloud, also called "Air of
Queprur", produces a deadly cloud of
noxious air that incapacitates all those
who breath in its fumes. The spell requires the use of a reagent: a finely
ground root powder of the poisonous nightshade
plant. When blown into the air, and by
manipulating the wind around the powder, it
is possible for the caster to create a cloud of noxious
air that can be moved at will.
Spell Effect. The
Nightshade Cloud spell is actually an application of existing spell theories as
opposed to a unique spell in and of itself. The spell is similar to the
Shape Smoke spell in that the caster manipulates
the Wind ounia and property of motion to
shape and move air. By itself, manipulating
the air is nothing new to a capable caster.
The introduction of a reagent is what makes this spell unique.
The derivatives of the Nightshade bush, also called the "Hotvale" or "Coór's
Bouquet", is highly poisonous to living beings. Any victim who ingests or
inhales large amounts of Nightshade suffers various maladies such as excitement
and delirium, blindness, facial flushing, leading to heart palpitations and
stupor, giving way to death within minutes to days. The caster can use various
amounts of powder depending on the effect the caster wishes upon his victims. A
small amount of powder in a large cloud, perhaps two to three
peds wide, produces only
minor physical and mental affects such as excitability or profuse sweating.
Smaller clouds of a ped or less with a pinch of powder produces stronger
physical effects in the victim such as stupor, blindness or even death.
The
nightshade bush is found in many
areas of southern Santharia and thus is
readily available. It requires a skilled caster to handle the powder as even
amounts that inadvertently touch he skin can be poisonous. This particular spell
application is obviously not encouraged to be utilized as it poses a threat to
any potential victims as well as the caster.
Casting Procedure.
The spell uses Sphere II and the wind property of motion upon the air into which
the powder is released. The spell first requires the powder reagent. Also, the
caster must use caution as to not touch the actual powder with his hands.
Usually, the powder is poured directly from a vial or small bag into the
air.
Once the powder is released into the air,
the caster calls upon the motion property of wind and gathers the falling dust
into a cloud. Much like the spell
Shape Smoke, this spell essentially creates a
smoky, noxious cloud that poisons any who breath it in.
The poison cloud can be moved in any direction or expanded or reduced into as
large or as small an area as the caster requires. This is done by gathering
larger or smaller ranges of ounia within and around the powder. A large noxious
cloud is capable of incapacitating large groups of living beings while a small
cloud with greater concentrations of powder can kill a single victim quickly.
The caster must be aware of the air movement around himself so as to not have
the powder inadvertently blow on himself from a gust of errant wind. In some
cases, the caster must direct any wind to
be blown away from himself before creating the cloud.
Magical Formula.
Not yet defined.
Focus/Target. The focus
of the spell is the area of air into which
the powder is released. The target of the spell would be any living being(s) who
would breath the noxious cloud and thus become incapacitated, or even killed,
should the powder in the air be of
sufficient concentrations.
Reagents. The ground
up root, or leaves, of the nightshade
plant. The powder must be kept in a bar or vial and to touch the powder with
bare skin is discouraged. Usually a small amount of powder is all that is
required for this spell to be effective.
Spell Class.
Sphere II, the Wind property of Motion.
Range. The caster must
be within sight of the falling reagent before making the cloud.
Casting Time. The
casting time can be done within a few
blinks. This is obviously
not a spell to be rushed, but a skilled mage can quickly create a cloud of air
to carry the powder aloft.
Duration. Ordinarily,
the cloud can remain aloft for as long as the caster can keep the
air moving around it. Once the caster drops
his concentration, or releases the hold upon the surrounding
wind ounia, the powder falls to the ground.
Counter Measures/Enhancing Measures.
The cloud can be countered by another caster also manipulating the
air around the powder. The cloud can be
moved another direction or simply dissipated altogether allowing the powder to
harmlessly fall to the ground. Any number of physical barriers can effectively
block the cloud from moving as well.
