Magnetic Ballista (2.0)

	Magnetic Ballista
Abbreviation:	MAB
Prerequisites:	Fist of Stone, Static Discharge, 20th Circle
Minimum Prep:	8
Casting Cap:	60
Valid Spell Target:	Self, Others
Description:	Magnetic Ballista allows you to shape the surrounding earth, rock, and mud into a potent siege engine known as a ballista. It uses a powerful natural force known as 'magnetism,' much like a giant lodestone. Be careful when it fires, for this force has a remarkable affect on metal armors and could pull small individuals to the ground! Luckily, a talented mage can reshape the ballista, rubbing it into a different shape that will not generate such a large area effect. The first shot the ballista takes is automatic, and not so much targeted as it is hurled. As long as the caster continually maintains the ballista by keeping it loaded, it can linger for quite some time. These secondary attacks by the Magnetic Ballista are targeted magic, and lack the raw force of the initial shot.
Example Messaging:	Cast: You gesture. The floor rumbles and lurches as crumbling dirt and cracking stone solidify into a heavy earthen ballista. Attacking: Magnetized: The earthen ballista grinds and rotates until it faces a <target>. A heavy earthen ballista shudders slightly and makes a noisy thrumming as it launches a small granite boulder at a <target>! You feel your parry stick, cambrinth armband, circular shield and steel knuckles jerk you forward! You are ready, and brace yourself! The sickening crunch of bone and flesh around a <target>'s back being forcibly compressed seems as loud as a thunderclap! The impact knocks it flat on the ground! You're somewhat off balance from that last pulse. Demagnetized: The earthen ballista grinds and rotates until it faces a <target>. A heavy earthen ballista shudders slightly and makes a noisy thrumming as it launches a large rock at a <target>! Small splatters of blood fly out from the chest, struck dead center by the speeding large rock!

Commands

• FOCUS BALLISTA

Requires both hands free

You focus your magical senses on a heavy earthen ballista.

The earthen ballista has a definite magical pattern, which apparently holds it into its shape.

You recognize the pattern as Elemental magic.

It is apparently a manifestation of Earth Manipulation magic from the Magnetic Ballista spell.

You feel as though you could LOAD the earthen ballista, readying it for another shot.

Also, you could RUB this earthen ballista to halt the magnetic pulse effect created when it fires.

This earthen ballista was created by you.

You sense that the earthen ballista is sustained by a magical pattern which should remain intact for about 7 roisaen, unless the ballista is adversely affected by the weather.

Roundtime: 21 seconds.

• LOAD BALLISTA

You lay your hands upon the earthen ballista, allowing your magical senses to drift through your fingertips and seep into its very depths. Near the point where the ballista meets the natural earth, you notice several normal rocks which will serve well as ammunition. Mentally grasping the nearest portions of the magic pattern, you coax them to seek one and draw it inside the ballista.

The earthen ballista grinds with the sound of stone on stone as a large rock rises up from within it and sets itself atop the launching device.

Roundtime: 4 seconds.

• RUB BALLISTA

Demagnetize:

Requires one hand free

Deftly, you rub your hands across the earthen ballista, reshaping it subtly so the magnetic pulse it generates is small and unnoticeable, though this may affect its accuracy.

Roundtime: 5 seconds.

• RUB BALLISTA

Magnetize:

Requires one hand free

Deftly, you rub your hands across the earthen ballista, reshaping it subtly so the magnetic pulse it generates flares up with every single shot.

Roundtime: 5 seconds.

• BREAK BALLISTA

Caster only

With a sharp blow, you disrupt the spell pattern holding the earthen ballista together.

Roundtime: 2 sec.

A heavy earthen ballista loses its cohesion and crumples into a pile of debris.

• POINT BALLISTA AT <TARGET>

Placing your hands on the earthen ballista, you focus your magical senses deep within the pattern binding it together. With a minor adjustment, you pull the spell matrix subtly until it recognizes a <target> as its new target.

The earthen ballista grinds and rotates until it faces .

Roundtime: 3 sec.

• Reinforce Stone cantrip

You gesture at the earthen ballista, and it glows briefly. Focusing your cantrip on the earthen ballista, you examine its magical pattern and attempt to reinforce the elemental structure where it is crumbling. After your manipulations, you sense that the duration of the earthen ballista has been extended from about 6 roisaen to about 12 roisaen.

You sense that your manipulations of the earthen ballista will prevent casting this cantrip on it for about 11 roisaen.

Roundtime: 1 sec.

Notes

• Initial attack is now targeted magic. The knockdown portion of the initial attack is versus agility.
• A maximum of four ballistae may be conjured in a room at once.
• Shots can knock targets down or hit them out of the room in a random direction.
• Loaded ballistae will automatically acquire new targets that enter the room.
• Ballistae are loaded with a small granite boulder initially, which crumbles after the first shot. Subsequent LOADs will create rocks.
• FOCUSing on and LOADing a ballista will grant Arcana experience.
• Any Warrior Mage is able to point any ballista at a valid target to 'manually select' the target which the ballista will fire at. Valid targets include other PCs, but pointing a ballista at a PC is considered an offensive action regardless of whether the ballista fires or is even loaded.