Spirit Barrier (102)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spirit Barrier creates a defensive wall of churning air around the target (the caster, if the spell is self-cast). Physical attacks must move through the air wall, resulting in a -20 to Attack Strength (Melee and Ranged AS only) and -20 to Unarmed Attack Factor (UAF). Likewise, the target will receive a +20 to Defensive Strength (Melee, Ranged, and Bolt DS) and +20 to Unarmed Defense Factor (UDF).
Further training in the Minor Spiritual circle grants an additional -1 AS/UAF and +1 DS/UDF for every 2 ranks above rank 2, with the bonus capped at the caster's level. Due to the increasing bonuses of this spell, the mana cost is a base of 2, +1 for every 3 additional DS over the initial +20 DS.
The spell gives a bonus to defending against standard maneuver rolls if the maneuver is able to be blocked by a shield.
If casting at a target, the spell is subject to a warding check. The affected target has a bonus to defense but a penalty when attacking, for a duration determined by the warding margin.
When self-cast, the effect may be ended using the STOP verb.
Tactical Considerations
Bolt spells do not receive any attack penalty while Spirit Barrier is active, so this is a very useful defensive spell for casters of bolt spells or users of wands containing bolt spells.
Spirit Barrier can be cast on others subject to a warding roll to force the AS penalty on the target (or provide the DS bonus for an Adventurer's Guild escort task), with duration determined by the warding margin. If casting on a friendly target, make sure to check TARGET afterwards and TARGET CLEAR if necessary.
Messaging
| Cast | The air thickens and begins to swirl around you. |
|---|---|
| Expiration | The air calms down around you. |
Alchemy Recipe
| A swirling grey potion | |
|---|---|
| Eastern version | Western version |
|
|