Flow storms

Flow storms were the magical equivalent of hurricanes, the result of severe imbalances in the flows of essence. These were caused by backlashes of excessive power, including collapsing portals and celestial alignments. Though there could be idiosyncratic, strange effects unique to any given storm, they typically had severe winds and elemental disturbances. They would often cause random portals to form in uncontrolled fashion, whether unstable voids or shimmering tears in the fabric of reality. If they were to anchor on a powerful source of energy, they had the potential to swell up to great sizes, potentially becoming permanent rather than dissipating over weeks or months.

They were extremely dangerous for anyone attuned to the essence. There was even an archaic story of Kai and V'tull being blasted apart from each other by a flow storm during the Wars of Dominion. Sheru was forced to retreat because of the storm caused by the Estrion incident. Flow storms were primarily an I.C.E. Age concept, as they have not been used in a very long time.

Due to the instability of the flows of essence, magic would become unreliable at best. The effects of a spell would be greatly reduced or severely amplified, or misfire, or result in a completely different spell entirely. The availability of mana would fluctuate wildly. It was possible for spells to be ripped off or dispelled, as well, which is an effect that still happens under the lingering "mana storm" over Darkstone Castle. When flow storms traveled below ground or through mountains, they were also known to cause earthquakes and volcanic upheaval.

Examples of Flow Storms

• Darkstone Castle (anchored by unstable portal)
• Obsidian Tower (anchored by crystal sphere, using Estrion's Staff)
• Energy Maelstrom (Spell 710)