Spell:Internal Flame

Source: Book of the Emerald Circle by Brian Hon/Limited Reagent

Cost: 5m or 15m, 1wp

Circle: Emerald

Type: Simple

Keywords: Component, Counter-Resist, Obvious, Shaping

Duration: Instant (varies)

Molten rock flows within the bones of the earth. With the Mudra of Burning Earth, the sorcerer can invoke this effect on a target within (Essence x 100) yards that he can see. A valid target must be an object or creature that is made of or has within it rock or mineral (creatures with bones are valid targets, as bones are mineral). Against objects this spell costs five motes, while against creatures it costs 15 motes. The sorcerer can manipulate the form of the Mudra to change how hot the rock or mineral gets, thus setting the interval of the damage dealt (see below). Waves of red and gray Essence-flames wash over the target, seeping into any crack or entering through the eyes and mouth of a creature. This is considered an unblockable and undodgable attack.

If it hits, the target's rock or mineral substance is heated to magma as a Shaping effect. It deals one automatic level of lethal damage per set interval for (Essence + Willpower) intervals. The first interval is on the casting action. The target can attempt to mitigate this by her player rolling (Stamina + Resistance), every success reducing the number of damage intervals by one, down to a minimum of (the sorcerer's Essence). The damage is otherwise unsoakable and Hardness does not apply. Creatures are also are inflicted with agony beyond belief by these internal flames; such targets suffer -(Essence) additional wound penalties while there are intervals of damage left. Against objects a made of rock or mineral, this spell lasts (the object's health levels) intervals. Little is left of such objects besides molten slag afterwards.

The interval of the damage can be per action, per hour, per day, per week, per month, per season, or per year. Thus the sorcerer can choose a quick and painful death or a long and drawn-out suffering. Against object of mostly rock or mineral, the sorcerer can choose an interval of per tick.

The horrific internal fires can be alleviated slightly by a skilled healer by taking an extended action to perform pressure point and Essence-gate manipulation. The interval of treatment is the same length of time as the spell's damage interval (the cooler the magma, the longer it takes to draw forth its Essence), the healer's player rolling (Intelligence + Medicine) at a difficulty of (the sorcerer's Essence). Lack of medical tools such as acupuncture needles imposes a -2 internal penalty to the roll. The cumulative difficulty of this action is (the sorcerer's Essence + Willpower). If successful, the molten rock cools but still exists: the damage interval is increased by one step (i.e. per action to per hour or per month to per season; if the interval is per year, the molten bones cool completely and the effect ends). Multiple bouts of medical attention can further extend the damage interval.

Component: The sorcerer must make the Mudra of Burning Earth or this spell cannot be cast.