GURPS - Magic.pdf

AIR SPELLS
These are the spells dealing with the Air element. Anywhere a “hex” of air
is indicated, it may be assumed to be a volume of air 1 hex by 6 feet,
composed of normal breathing air at 1 atmosphere of pressure.
Purify Air
Area
This is the basic Air spell. It removes all impurities from the air in the
subject hex. This spell is often used to neutralize the effects of poisonous
gas or vapors. Note that a room full of smoke may safely be purified one
section at a time - but truly deadly vapors must all be removed at once, or
some may escape. This spell will also turn old “stale” air into fresh
breathable air. One hex of air, if not renewed from the outside, will last 45
minutes for one person at rest. This time will be less for multiple persons
or someone violently exercising. (GM’s discretion.)
Duration: Works instantly. Purification is permanent.
Base Cost: 1. Cannot be maintained: must be recast.
Item: Staff, wand or jewelry. Energy cost to create: 50.
Create Air
Area
This spell manufactures air where none exists. Cast where there is
already air, it will produce an outward breeze lasting for about five
seconds. Cast in a vacuum, it will instantly create breathable air. Cast
within earth, stone or other material, it will fill any empty spaces with air,
but will not burst the stone. Cast underwater. it makes bubbles!
Duration: 5 seconds. Air created is permanent.
Base Cost: 1 (for 1 hex of air at normal air pressure).
Prerequisite: Purify Air.
Item: Staff, wand or jewelry. Energy cost to create: 200.
Shape Air
Regular
Lets caster create movements of air over a small area. The wind starts
at the “subject” hex; it blows in a stream 1 hex wide, for a distance in
hexes equal to 5 times the energy put into it, and then dissipates. This
wind may cause “knockback” (see p. B106) on someone it hits; roll I die
for every full 2 points of energy in the spell, each turn the wind hits them.
8 points of “knockback” will push someone back 1 hex.
Duration: 1 minute.
Cost: From 1 to 10. 1 produces a gentle breeze; 4 a wind; 6 a heavy
wind: 8 or more a violent blast. Cost to maintain is the same as to cast.
Prerequisite: Create Air.
Item: Staff, wand or jewelry-. Energy cost to create: 200.
Air Jet
Regular
Lets spellcaster shoot a thin jet of air from one finger. The “damage” it
does will only be knockback on most creatures, but will injure vaporous
beings, and stun or kill members of a swarm of small creatures. Each turn,
the caster rolls versus DX-4 or Magic let skill to hit (this counts as an
attack); may be dodged or blocked, but not parried. It is also good for
sweeping the floor.
Duration: 1 second.
Cost: 1 to 3; ½ the amount of damage (2 to 6 dice) done. The jet’s
range in hexes is equal to the number of dice. Cost to maintain is the same.
Prerequisite: Shape Air.
Item: Staff, wand or jewelry. Usable only by mages: if item is a staff
or wand, air jet comes from its tip. Energy cost to create: 200.
No-Smell
Regular
Removes the odor of subject and makes it (or him) totally undetectable
by smell. Possessions are also affected. No other properties of the subject
are changed by the spell.
Duration: 1 hour.
Cost: 2 for a man-sized or smaller subject; 1 more per added hex of
size; same cost to maintain.
Prerequisite: Purify Air.
Item: Jewelry; affects wearer only. Cost: 150 energy and $300.
Body of Air
Regular; Resisted by HT
The subject’s body becomes vaporous; it can change shape, seep
through cracks, float in the air, etc. Clothes (up to 6 pounds) also become
vaporous, but lose any magic powers they might have had while in
vaporous form. The subject remains visible and able to speak. He can
carry nothing while in this form.
A person in vaporous form has all his normal senses. He is at -3 when
using spells, and may not make physical attacks except on other vaporous
creatures. He is immune to normal physical harm, but can be affected by
mental spells.
However, an Air Jet or similar effect can damage the vaporous body:
Destroy Air does 2 dice of damage! A person in vaporous form is almost
helpless against such attacks. A wind will move the vapor along without
harming it. A violent wind will do harm (GM’s discretion, depending on
type and source of wind). An explosion will affect vaporous bodies as
though they were solid, but with concussion damage only.
Any vaporous person venturing into the open air is likely to be hit by
some sort of wind. If he is blown into the air. and the spell wears off . . .
trouble. But sneezes. hand-held fans, etc., have no effect.
An attack by an Air Elemental can also be damaging. Air Elementals
attack vaporous creatures (and vice versa) like normal men, punching with
fists. Example: An Air Elemental of ST 10 would do 1d-4 damage each
turn.
Duration: 1 minute.
Cost: 4 to cast; 1 per minute to maintain.
Time to cast: 5 seconds.
Prerequisite: Shape Air.
Item: Staff, wand or jewelry. Usable only by wearer. A severe
drawback is that. as soon as it is activated, the item falls through the user’s
hand - thus, a spell cast with this item lasts only a minute. Energy cost to
create: 800.
SPELL LIST
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