María's class
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María enters the classroom and looks at the people gathered, nodding and smiling. She stays standing leaning on her staff and takes a deep breath before speaking.
Vewry well. Fiwrst of all I'll clawrify this lessons have nothing to do with the ones I was giving pwreviosly, meaning that, If anyone has a question owr wants to deal with a theme that was alwready mentioned in pwrevious classes, thewre's no pwroblem whatsoevewr, feel fwree to do so.
She looks around again, seeing who is new and who's not, and gives a light nod to herself
Fowr today, we'll speak about Awrea of Effect Spells. Which awre spells that can affect mowre than a single cwreatuwre.
Thewre's two diffewrent Awrea of Effect Spells, those that last in time and those which effect is instantaneous.
Examples of these would be…::she writes in the board::
Last in time: Wall of fire, Acid Fog, Cloud Of Bewilderment
Instantaneous: Fireball, Confusion, Mass haste
Well then. As you can see thewre's no defined pattewrn fowr these. Both can cause diwrect damage owr both can act as mass cwrod contwrol spells.
The lasting in time spells awre good to cast when you awre defending a position, specialy in a nawrrow spot, such as the south gates of Nowrwick. You can place one a bit ahead of the gates, and the enemy will have to stand behind while the awrchewrs and othewr mages cast theiwr own offensive spells on them, cewrtain advantage it is.Of couwrse, thewre's some amount of dangewr in casting Awrea of Effect Spells...and this is that you may cause injuwries to youwr allies. Fowr this wreason one has to leawrn how to aim pwropewrtly the spells. It's taken me sevewral yeawrs and undefined houwrs of twraining to be able to aim my spells pwropewrtly.
In owrdewr fowr you to twrain this kind of casting, I'll be putting a combat dummy close to the obelisk in the yawrd. I suggest you pwractice casting youwr spells in such a way that you will hit the obelisk while the dummy wremains intact. You will pwrobably scwrew up many times befowre you get it wright, but only pwracticing one becomes a mastewr.
::she grins and snaps her fingers, the board clearing itself::
This is all fowr today's class, unless someone wants to ask something...
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Rumor has it Corwin went into Maria's classroom when it was out of session carrying a large bag and with Kathea Snyders in tow. Alexi arrived later though they kept the door shut.
After some hours they left, Kat growing very brightly, and a new skeleton is seen hanging beside the old one. Corwin also seems quite happy about something else than the skeleton for some reason.
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María enters the class, cheerful smile on her face
Well…I had a pwractical lesson about countewrspelling with some students..but I'll wrepwroduce the class vewrbaly hewre fowr all of you who didnt attend owr in case you missed something that day.
Fiwrst of all. Anyone can tell me how does countewrspell wowrk?
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That's a vewry fine selection of spells, Elva. Those awre definitely good spells, all of them, and would fit the top fouwr fowr most people. Howevewr, I would twrade the last one fowr the "Dispel" spell. The wreasons behind this awre based on the countewrspelling. Which by the way, will be ouwr next topic to twreat hewre in class.
Eventhough She hit the nail with hewr list, is thewre any othewr thiwrd ciwrcle spell you considewr vewry impowrtant?
looks at the rest of the class
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_Right well um….
Magic Circle Against alignment
It gives the entire party a large amount of defensive wards, Including a defensive against confusion which has saved lives in my experience.Haste
It is useful for a number of reasons, Running fast, dodging quicker, Casting more spells, and attacking quicker.Fireball/Scintillating Sphere
They both do the exact same thing, the difference being Fire and Electricity and can deal a severe amount of damage.And Finally Hold Person
Allowing for apprehension of fleeing targets, or holding the biggest enemy while you take care of the smaller ones._
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Good then, let's move to thiwrd ciwrcle. Elva, youwr up. Name the fouwr most useful thiwrd ciwrcle spells, in youwr opinion. Wremembewr we awre talking about adventuwrewrs hewre, not lab mages…
Smiles and nods at Elva, listening
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_Elva is sitting in her usual seat, waiting with anticipation
She missed these classes._
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One day, María enters the tower at the same hour she always used to, and takes again her spot
Alwright! I will assume Wronan covewred the second ciwrcle alwready, so we'll move to the thiwrd, unless someone has something to ask about the second!
::looks eagerly at the students, smiling brightly and seemengly happy::
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Ronan nods toward Aristos.
Those three you choose are commonly used, quite true. Invisibility and ghostly visage especially.
First, invisibility. This spell can allow a mage to case enhancements on themselves or others with a less chance of being interrupted. However, it does not shield you from spells with area effects or things such as catapult fire, even from allies… since if they cannot see you, they cant judge if such an attack would cause you harm. So becareful when using it during sieges or around other mages who enjoy destructive spells that can hurt everyone. Anyway, the benefits of it are: Escape, safe casting of other "buffs," and planning surprise attacks. To clarify, the term "buffs" is often used by adventurers when referring to spells that enhance them or protect them. I'd say this is an essential spell for a mage, personally. Prepare at least one if you're ever going out to a dangerous area for study or for whatever else. Of course, some creatures are not fooled by this spell, which I will make a list of known creatures that aren't soon. Also, there is a second circle spell called "see invisibility" which reveals invisible beings, so be wary of such if your life hangs on remaining hidden.. always assume that a creature can see you, even if you know they cant.. tis best to play it safe.
Second, ghostly visage. A standard protection for most mages. It protects against attacks with a weak force behind it. So if I were to punch you while you had the spell up, you'd not feel a thing... not that you would if you did not have it cast either way.
Ahems
Anyway, dont assume that this spell will protect you against every physical attack. A weapon with an enhancement on it can penetrate ghostly visage rather easily. Or something with a powerful enough physical force, you will still feel the blow. It also protects from cantrips and first circle spells, such as magic missle. Tis a handy bonus since magic missles can be a bit of a hassle if they are aimed at you. Lastly, ghostly visage obscures your image slightly, concealing somewhat. It may be a little more difficult for one to physically strike you, but again.. do not bet your life that this spell will always protect you from physical attack.
Lastly, as Aristos mentioned, lesser dispel. Dispel is always a good choice, though lesser dispel I find highly unreliable. This is just my personal opinion, of course. Though with lesser dispel, even if you are silenced, you are still able to cast it… it requires no verbal component. Perhaps this is why some mages learn it, just in case of emergencies such as silence.
Now then, of all the spells mentioned, would any of you like to demonstrate them? The offensive ones can be cast on the small obelisk in the courtyard outside.
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_Aristos speaks up from his seat
…I have found that invisibility, lesser dispel, and ghostly visage to be my most used spells from the second circle. I often use the ability enhancing spells as well, but if I had a choice of only three, the spells I mentioned earlier would be those that I would choose.
...and of those three I use invisibility the most..._
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_Elva has no questions, and is currently laying on her desk staring at Ronan with resentment
maybe she wants her normal teacher back._
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No questions, but 's also worth noting that if one relies on enchantments and other spells that can be evaded through strength of mind and agility, that the ability to Empower such magics is a true skill.
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More asking what the offensive type spells are, rather then the defensive ones, but you're right. Combust is a risky spell to use.
You bring up a point, however. Just because one has some power, it does not mean they're invincibile.. I've seen a few mages attempt a spell up close and have it be answered with lethal blow from their enemy. Which is why defense is just as important as offense. The second circle has many enhancements and defenses to offer for ones self, or for another. All the spells I chose from this circle, personally, are defensive. Though I suppose flame weapon could be considered both.
A common one for wizards being Fox's cunning. Not only does it give one a greater mind for learning and storing knowledge, but it also enhances the wizard's knowledge of their spells, thus making them more effective.
However, the same is not true for sorcerers. Eagle's splendor enhances their spells and natural talent. I speak this for sorcerers: Take care when using eagle's splendor… if it is dispelled from you, you will lose some of your powers... which, of course, can be regained with rest and meditation... however, spells can be precious on those long ventures.
I am sure most of you know of Fox's cunning and Eagle's splendor, depending on what type of mage you are.
Bull's Strength... this is the spell that warriors will crave and ask for on a near constant basis. As it enhances the physical strength of the subject. This spell can work well combined with others, which I'm sure "spell combinations" will be covered once we've gone over some of the basics.
Endurance. Enhances the strain the subject's body is able to take. You will last longer physically, have more physical energy, and your body will be made stronger against things such as disease and poison.
Owl's Wisdom. Gives the subject more insight to their surroundings and helps strengthen the mind. If you find yourself vulnerable to magical fear or spells such as "hold person.." ...this spell is for you. Take note that this spell also aids monks, as it apparently enhances the focus in their skills. I also believe it aids druids and clerics in some way with their castings, but you would have to ask one of them how that works..
Cat's Grace. This makes the subject more agile. Those who prefer ranged combat with a bow tend to like this spell. Also those who wish to remain hidden, deal with traps and locks. One of the favorite spells that a scout would like.
Now then, are there any questions on those spells? I only gave a brief summary of them, but if there are no questions, I shall continue on with some of the other spells. Again, the spells were: Fox's Cunning, Eagle's splendor, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Owl's wisdom, and Endurance.
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Sitting down beside Elva, he does a few tricks with a gnomish yo-yo when Ronan's back is turned in an effort to cheer the young Evoker up.
{whisper} - Cheer up, Elva.
he then speaks up..
Second circle 'eh? Gedlee's Electric Loop and Melf's Acid Arrow are all well and good when you are standing behind a wall of heavily armored sods… what about the rest of the time? Aye, Combust 's a fine spell when you're nearby and can reach in quickly, but 's dangerous for folk like Elva here, who don't wear armor.
Spells like Ghostly Visage allow one to shrug off the best part of a light strike, and saves you from allot of spells.
Flame weapon is as good as an enchanted blade on occasion,
and when you don't have a rogue, Knock is darned handy.
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"Combust is an Evocation spell that causes the target to spontaneously combust into flames…the flames with burn the victim until they can put themselves out..."
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Correct, miss Elva. Can you tell us the effects of the spell? Though the name of it seems rather self-explanatory.
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_Elva raises her hand half heartedly
"Combust is an offensive spell of the second circle…."
She doesn't seem as motivated as she usually is_
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Hm, I suppose I shall begin if you're all going to be so shy. So then, second circle spells was it?
We'll start with the offensive spells this circle has to offer, because I do enjoy being offensive… erm.. with my spells in battle, that is. Now, I personally use no offensive spells from this circle, as the circle offers a variety of defensive ones that are quite useful, though still.. the offensive ones have their uses.
The most common one is Melf's Acid Arrow. A spell that will never miss, and is unavoidable even by the most slippery of characters. Another is Gidlee's Electric loop, which uses the element of lightning to stun a foe should they fail to avoid it. Can anyone else tell me of any other spells that might be considered offensive from this circle? Or perhaps some of you even know some of these spells? Do not be shy, feel free to speak up.
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Wandering in again, late, Bartho watches Ronan's rousal of Elva with a slight frown, taking a seat beside her, he wipes down his neck and right arm with a cloth, dopping a heavy toolbelt beside him on the ground. he takes out an pice of partchment and a gnonmish self inking pen, waiting for the lesson… looking nothing like a mage at all. making notes on his preffered 2nd circle spells
Fox's cunning : fortifying your mind and allowing your spells greater magnitude is invaluable for enchantments.
Gedlee's Electric Loop : Quite the handy spell, it can arc through multiple targets. especially handy if you have a resistance spell and can cast upon them around you.
Flame Weapon : Often it can give a warrior the assisstance they require to fell a foe that turns mundane blades…..
.........
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Elva jolts awake and listens to Ronan with tired and slightly sad eyes, when he gets up and leaves she straightens herself out…but finds herself slouching and laying on her desk again...
