My intent for these spells was to duplicate the effect of throwing dirt or sand into the eyes of a foe. I’m pleased that the final spell is low level, so very spont’able. As a distraction spell the objective is not at all to harm, but rather irritate. Mechanically a covered eye might be ruled in many ways circumstantially by the Ars Magica storyguide.
Irritating Flurry of Detritus
Rego Terram 5, R: Voice, D: Momentary, T: Individual
The spell gathers and projects a cone shaped flurry of dirt, sand, dust, mud or other Terram based material toward an opponent, which inflicts no damage, but may confuse, irritate, or perhaps even blind the opponents. The spell is effective on all rudimentary Terram substances.
The flurry can target opponents up to 20 paces away, as it creates a cone of dust with a five paces diameter at that distance. Correctly directing the cone toward an opponent requires a successful Finesse roll to hit the target, with a +3 bonus due to how wide the cone is.
Coincidentally the flurry may assist with targeting invisible targets, due to the material leaving traces all over them. The spell is little use in clean environments.
(Base 3 to move earth in an unnatural manner, +2 Voice)
A key factor is the spell projects dirt and muck, which also benefits from ignoring the target’s magical resistance.
Then I started pondering how the same style of effect might be reworked so that it surrounds the caster in a continuous series of projected earth as long as they concentrate.
Irritating Storm of Detritus
Rego Terram 20, R: Voice, D: Concentration, T: Group
The spell projects many segments of dirt, sand, dust, mud or other Terram based material, which inflicts no damage, but may confuse, irritate, or perhaps even blind the opponents. The spell is effective on all rudimentary Terram substances. The caster is surrounded but unaffected by the storm. The dirt is thrown about from the ground rather than propelled by magic, so the spell is not hindered by magical resistance.
The storm extends up to a radius of 20 paces around the caster. Coincidentally the storm may assist with targeting invisible targets, due to the material leaving traces all over them. The spell is little use in clean environments, and may provide partial obscurement in sandy or filthy environments.
(Base 3 to move earth in an unnatural manner, +2 Voice, +1 Concentration, +2 Group)
For these and other new Ars Magics spells see the list of spells.
The Iron-Bound Tome 