This spell allows the Black Cloak to control the flow of life-giving waters to the plants around him, blessing or cursing them. The Mage stands in the center of an area of plants and summons power, before unleashing it for one of the following two effects:
The maximum area affected by the spell is an area of 10 Legats Square for each level of the casting Mage. The effects of Blessing of Water can be reversed by Crop Touch.
Requires Lesser Command
This spell gives the Red Cloak control over natural and magical flames. With an action (and a gesture) they can make any of the following alterations to an existing fire no larger than a bonfire and up to 5+Level Legats distant.
In addition they can cause the air around the fire to fill with burning sparks and smoke (Area 3, D6 damage ignoring armour, -3A) or clear a similar area.
If the Mage wishes to extinguish fires larger than a bonfire then she may extinguish selected bonfire sized bits of it one at a time. Each section requires an action and a roll of Int + Sorcery vs. 15.
The powers conferred by the spell are usable at will for 1 minute per Level, extending for 2 Fatigue for each extra minute. To cast this spell the Red Cloak must bear an iron weapon from the Dragon Mountains.
The Shadow Geomancy creates a complex rip in the fabric of space that ties a location in the Twilight Lands or the Light Side into the Dark Side. While within the Geomancy’s indistinct bounds a Black Order Mage casts magic as if they were on the Dark Side, and in addition gains D3 less fatigue for every spell they cast.
A Shadow Geomancy can only exist where darkness reigns. Even a sliver of unfiltered sunlight will dispel it. While it may be maintained inside a sealed and windowless chamber, it is more common to use spells such as Closing of the Eye or Crossing the Border both of which allow the Geomancy to be created. Regardless of the size of the shadow, the Geomancy only covers 10 strides square. Once cast the Geomancy slowly poisons the land around it, sucking the vitality from the soil. If the shadow that contains it has not failed first the Geomancy will break apart after a number of days equal to the Mage's Level.
The Shadow Geomancy spell also has an alternative use. Cast in combination with Greater Circle of Protection it can create an area of permenant magical protection known as a Geomantic Circle. This version of the spell requires both spells to be cast in succession, and causes the casting Mage to lose 2 points of Physical. The area created is a dead zone. Anything within it has MD +8 and also -15 to all channelling attempts. In addition spirit creatures are unable or unwilling to enter the Geomantic Circle. The presence of a Geomantic Circle is easily perceived by anyone with magical skills. Unlike a Geomancy the Geomantic Circle is permenant, although physically destroying the marked circle ends the spell.
This is one of the most powerful spells known to the Red Order, for it can extend the natural life of a Keldian far beyond its usual span. The Cleansing Flame is reserved only for the most powerful Magi, and is hardly ever cast on someone with a Status less than 18.
Each of four Mages must cast the spell together. Should any of them fail the casting then all the Mages fail and a new ritual cannot be attempted on the same individual in that month. Should the spell be cast it is still not certain of success. The subject must make a Physical roll resisted by 15. Failure means that they lose 2 Physical permanently and the spell is done. Should it succeed then the subjects age is frozen at its current point for 10 years time, after which point the Keldian ages again as normal.
Though the spell may be used on a person of any age it is usually reserved only for the most powerful Mages because of its complexity and requirements. It is also an important factor in the balance of power between the Black and Red Orders. Though the Black Order has quested for generations for their own version of this spell they have been singularly unsuccessful to date. Thus the Red Order is the only means of longevity for the Black Order's chosen. The spell requires the following.