Ring of Spears (2.0)

	Ring of Spears
Abbreviation:	ROS
Prerequisites:	Tremor, Fist of Stone, 20th circle
Minimum Prep:	12
Casting Cap:	57
Valid Spell Target:	Self
Description:	Ring of Spears is primarily a defensive spell, but with enough magical acumen and careful timing it can also be cast to devastating effect. When you so evoke the power of Earth, a ring of sharp spikes, resembling spears wrought of rock, rises from the ground around you, fending off surrounding foes and injuring those not lithe enough to escape. A skillful mage can also employ this spell to aid his or her allies.
Example Messaging:	Cast: You gesture. A grey-green starburst spreads across the entire area, its pointed spokes pausing to probe various points along the ground. The earth rumbles and groans as sharpened rock spears spring violently from beneath its surface at melee range around you! Despite his attempts to remain where he is, the emerging stone spears push a <target> away from you! One of the rock spears lands a light hit to a <target>'s left arm, barely qualifying as a damaging strike! One of the rock spears lands a light hit to a <target>'s right hand and slams the wrist to leave several funny looking welts around the palm! Roundtime: 2 sec. Blocking: Despite his attempts, a <target> is unable to advance through the forest of stone spears surrounding you. One of the rock spears lands a solid hit to a <target>'s right arm as it knocks the limb backward painfully, spraining joints and drawing blood! One of the rock spears lands an extremely heavy hit to a <target>'s chest that snaps the sternum with a loud *POP* and twists the collarbones as the chest is reshaped! Ending: The jagged stone spears surrounding you at melee range tremble slightly, then crumble into a grey dust that is quickly reclaimed by the earth. Room description: <Player> who is surrounded by a ring of jagged stone spears at melee/pole range.

Notes

• Creates a barrier that attempts to push foes out of range, and then lingers to prevent them from re-engaging. Every time foes try to get through the spears they'll have to a) win a spell contest to make it through, and b) dodge a TM attack to avoid damage. Enemies standing on the spears must make checks to avoid being pushed back and damaged, as will foes that linger among the spears for too long (the spears themselves shift and flex, making it difficult to stay in one place).
• Defaults to melee range. If self-cast, can use CAST POLE to create the spears at pole. Spears at pole range will attempt to block foes advancing from missile and retreating from melee.
• Can be cast upon others, but only to create spears at melee.
• The duration of the spell is reduced with each activation.
• Attempting to retreat, advance, or leaving the room while the spell is active will cause the spell to end prematurely.
• No longer causes interference that results in damage to the caster.
• Some engagement-skipping abilities (e.g. firecat pouncing) will skip the spears. Issues with non-flying targets making it through the spears can be BUGged.