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A lightning evocationist can manipulate their conjured lightning in the form of harmless sparks, arcs of electricity, or small bolts or streams of lightning. This is a non-combat spell, and conjured lightning cannot burn, apply concussive force, or Static.

Maximum size of one meter at [T1], five square meters at [T2], fifteen square meters at [T3], twenty-five square meters at [T4], fifty square meters at [T5].

Conjured lightning can be the blue, white, yellow, or the color of the mage’s aura. It cannot be shaped into very precise shapes, and will always retain the jagged and wild appearance of lightning to an extent, though as a mage progresses they will be able to ‘tame’ the lightning and produce slightly more precise shapes than before.

This lightning can be conjured in a way that produces thunder, though this thunder would not be loud enough to stun those that hear it. This spell is Non-Combative and thunder should be used for flavor only.

• Conjure Lightning can only be performed outside of combat.
• Conjure Lightning does not apply any sort of Static. If combat begins, Conjured lightning disappears.
• Conjured Lightning does not have damaging heat (at most just slight warmth). Optional effects like the smell of ozone in the air, crackling or snapping sounds, or hair standing on end, can be roleplayed.
• The Lightning part of any spell will either be blue, white, yellow, or the color of the mage’s aura.

[1 Connect + 1 Cast]

Lightning can be conjured (2 emotes, 1 connect + 1 cast) in order to wake someone who is unconscious through mundane means, or stabilize someone’s heart if they’re experiencing fibrillation. 

• Cannot restart a stopped heart.
• Cannot save a dead person.
• Cannot wake someone who’s been drugged or put to sleep with magic if they couldn’t be woken with smelling salts. 
• Cannot be cast in combat.
• Cannot be cast on someone who is conscious (in theory, it would just be mildly uncomfortable, but this is a noncombative spell and that would be combative).

[1 Connect + 1 Cast]

Lightning Evocationists can charge the metal parts of their weapons, allowing these weapons to apply [1] stack of Static when landing an offensive hit. Takes two emotes (1 connect + 1 cast). Can be maintained for up to [6] emotes. Does not burn, instantly stun, or add any other additional effects to the weapon besides giving it the ability to apply Static.

• Can only be cast on metal parts of weapons.
• Charged Weapon does not enhance a mage’s connection to the void, or prevent them from being disconnected by anything that would normally disconnect them. 
• As with all lightning evocation spells, when the mage is disconnected, all Static charges that they have applied will reset to zero.
• Charged Weapon requires concentration to maintain, and cannot be casted simultaneously with other spells.
• Scion Soul Shadows cannot apply Static with a charged weapon. (This is already part of Scion lore, but restated here for clarity)

[1 Connect + 1 Cast]

A Lightning Evocationist can use this spell to charge up their own nerves and muscles for faster reflexes and speed, directly firing their muscle fibers with lightning as fast as they can think. This allows them to catch incoming projectiles that are traveling at arrow speed or less, bat them away with a weapon, or dodge them. (In actual practice, this functions similarly to the air evocation ‘Redirect’ spell - takes [2] emotes. 1 connect + 1 cast.) Like the Redirect spell, it does not allow one to react to projectiles moving faster than an arrow (or low-powered crossbow bolt - crossbows that take three or less emotes to use).

Can be used to catch or bat away a projectile headed for an ally, if the mage is close enough to their ally or the path of the projectile to do so. Does not grant extra movement in order to do this.

Non-Combative: Outside of combat, this spell can be quickly cast in one emote (1 connect/cast) for fun flavor to accomplish things that require quick reactions, such as catching a fast-moving ball or cork from a bottle, winning carnival games, or quickly glimpsing what’s on a card that’s only visible for a moment. And yes, it can be used to catch a fly between two chopsticks.

As Sensory Illusion demonstrates, the Void can be used to push a mental image to a target. And as Atronach Limbs demonstrate, the Void can be used to move a body part that is linked to the user’s nervous system. 

With these principles in mind, Ayche created the Amped Reflexes spell, which is used to push a mental impulse (like lifting one’s arm, or ducking) directly from the mage’s mind into a part of their body, using tiny amounts of lightning to force their limb or body to respond immediately and effectively “skipping” the delay normally incurred by their nervous system. Hey, if it works for Atronach limbs…

• Dodging away does not allow for any extra blocks of movement. 
• Can only be used to avoid projectile attacks. Cannot be used on melee attacks.
• No more than one projectile attack can be avoided per turn this way. Choosing between catching, batting away, or dodging an incoming projectile is up to the player and mostly for flavor.
• Does not enhance a voidal mage’s strength in any way. Voidal poisoning still applies for non-Scions. This is solely for faster reactions.
• Cannot be used to make a fast attack that can’t be reacted to. This is a defensive spell.
• Amped Reflexes cannot be cast on an ally in any circumstances.
• It cannot be cast while casting or maintaining any other spell.
• Casting this spell multiple times in quick succession may potentially cause fatigue, headaches, or muscle soreness. These effects are optional and for flavor - in practice, this spell works defensively much like Redirect, and the limiting/balancing factor in combat RP will be mana, just like Redirect. Again, using this spell is a major action, which means it will not be possible to also attack on the turn it's used.

[1 Connect + 1 Charge + 1 Cast]

By charging an area of the battlefield with electricity, a Lightning Evocationist can create a field that adds [+1] Static to those moving through it on their turn. Those trapped inside can choose not to move to avoid building up any Static. Moving past or through the field in one turn still applies [+1] Static. Radius starts at [2] meters, though the radius may be increased by [1] by adding an extra emote to the charge. This may be done up to [2] times. Lasts for [4] emotes. The mage can only move up to [4] blocks while maintaining focus on Static Field.

• The field cannot be moved once created.
• Ranged attacks can be thrown or fired while inside the field without incurring Static, but even a single block of movement on a player’s turn will incur Static if they are inside (or pass through) the field.
• Moving back and forth through the field on the same turn will not cause the field to apply additional Static.

[1 Connect + 1 Charge (marking a target clearly with an anchor) + 1 Cast]

This creates a Bolt of Lightning that is fired towards the target who becomes marked with the mage’s anchor. When hitting a target, the mage will decide to either remove or add Static to the individual. Below are the strengths of the Bolt at each tier, requiring more mana depending on the tier it is cast at.

[T3] The Bolt hits with a similar impact to being punched, creating bruises and perhaps minor fractures on an unprotected individual. It will, at most, cause dents and minor bruising on those wearing plate. This will either add [1] Static or expend [1] Static and cause second degree burns upon the struck area’s flesh.

[T4] The Bolt hits with more force, capable of causing a few minor fractures on those wearing plate while causing more intense fractures on unarmored opponents. This will either add [1] Static or remove [1] Static and cause second degree burns upon the struck area’s flesh.

[T5] This version of the Bolt hits with the same force as the [T4] Bolt, however, it has the ability to expend more Static in exchange for more heat. It will either add [1] Static or expend [2] Static and cause third degree burns upon the struck area’s flesh. However, this requires [1] extra charge emote to cast in addition to a tell of the Lightning becoming more charged.

If the target moves out of the way or behind cover, the anchor can be transferred to another target, but doing so will take the same number of emotes as forming one in the first place. This will not expend any additional mana, however. 

If the target has a shield, they can block the bolt by holding the shield up with both hands and bracing, though in the process they would have to drop any other weapons or handheld equipment (potions etc). These items, once dropped, can not be used/picked up during the one emote immediately following the shield bracing emote.

• One must already be primed with Static in order to expend Static and thus burn the victim.
• This spell will either add or remove Static. The mage’s decision and Static counts must be made clear.
• The higher tiered versions require more mana to use.
• Casting the [T5] version requires an extra charge emote.
• As with all Static spells, if the mage is disconnected, all Static that they have applied resets to [0] instantly.
• A lightning bolt is volatile and cannot be held in reserve once ready, unless the mage is currently moving the anchor to a new target. 

[1 Connect + 1 Charge + 1 Cast]

When under the effects of Lightning Step, one can move [8] meters rather than [4] and still have a major action. This effect is short lived, however, and this boosted movement cannot be sustained for long - the effect is active for up to [2] turns as long as concentration is maintained.

After the spell ends, fatigue forces the mage to be temporarily unable to move (cannot move any blocks but can still take other actions as normal). 

Being disconnected or losing concentration before [2] turns have passed would end the spell, but not apply the fatigue (because the mage wouldn’t have been overexerting themselves for as long). Mana usage would remain the same, however.

This spell can be cast on an ally rather than the mage themselves, but if line of sight is lost, the spell ends. If the mage is disconnected, the spell also ends.

If an ally is the one being enhanced with Lightning Step, the ally suffers the fatigue. The mage should emote the target being covered with some sort of shroud of sparks, and the target should emote moving faster (and slightly twitchier) than normal.

Non-Combative: If cast outside of combat, this spell can be sustained longer and used to speed up general actions and movement, up to twice the speed a person could normally act. For example, casting lightning step on a chef might allow the chef to dash around the kitchen much faster than normal, cooking a myriad of different dishes at once. A librarian enhanced with lightning step would be able to get around the shelves and stack or sort books much more rapidly than normal. For this reason, master Lightning Evocationists might be hired to help construction crews work twice as fast, or enhance farmers harvesting crops to double the amount of work that can be done in a shift. 

See Amped Reflexes. Essentially, this is temporarily using the Void in a way that forces the target’s body/limbs to move, the same way users of Atronach Limbs can move their limbs. Instead of reading the user’s intention to move an Atronach Limb, this spell reads the target’s intention and fires off tiny amounts of Voidal Lightning that immediately force their muscles to respond. This spell simply pushes the body to respond even faster than Atronach Limbs do, and because it’s sustained for a short burst rather than a single moment (like Amped Reflexes), it incurs fatigue after a brief burst of speed.

• In combat, this spell boosts movement speed only. It does not passively give the affected character Amped Reflexes, and it does not give the character the ability to take actions or swing a weapon more quickly. It does not grant the ability to use more than one major action on a turn. It does not boost strength.
• A character’s movement speed caps out at [8] meters per turn (with a major action) when under the effect of this spell, the same as the sprinting distance without a major action. If the combat rules have been changed since this lore was written, this lore should be edited such that a character under the effect of this spell can travel a ‘sprinting’ distance in one turn and still have a major action.
• One cannot choose to skip a major action when under the effects of this spell and travel twice the sprinting distance (16 blocks) instead. [8] blocks (or whatever the ‘sprinting’ distance is in combat rules, if it is changed) is the limit, whether or not the character chooses to take a major action.
• One cannot emote canceling the spell or disconnecting from the Void just as the second emote ends in order to avoid the fatigue. 
• Unlike with translocation spells, arcane foci do not increase the distance a mage can travel when Lightning Step is active. At best, it may make it slightly easier for them to maintain concentration (This is flavor. In practice a focus will not help with this spell.) 
• In combat, Lightning Step can only be cast on one person at a time regardless of tier. 
• Outside of combat, Lightning Step can be cast on one additional person per tier (Tier 4 can cast it on two people, Tier 5 can cast it on three). 
• Requires concentration. Cannot cast any other spells when maintaining Lightning Step.
• Amped Reflexes cannot be cast while maintaining Lightning Step.

[1 Connect + 1 Charge (anchoring target) + 1 Cast] 

The Lightning Evocationist anchors to a target, and throws forth a short-ranged stream of searing sparks and short-ranged arcs of electricity. This stream of lightning lasts for [2] emotes.

Similar to the Flamethrower spell, with a reduced range and width. Applies second degree burns to exposed flesh almost immediately, with potentially more severe damage as time goes on. Forgoes Static application in exchange for burning damage, has a [9] block range (30% lower than flamethrower) and creates a line from the target to the mage that’s [1] block in width. 

The target must be selected on the first casting emote of the spell and cannot be changed once casting begins. While others can wander between the target and mage and thus suffer damage, there is no way to deliberately hit another target once the spell has been cast.

If a target already has at least [2] Static, it removes all of their Static stacks and applies 3rd degree burns to exposed flesh instead of 2nd.

Can also be cast between two stationary objects no more than nine blocks apart. This requires an additional emote. [1 Connect + 2 Charge (one for each anchor) + 1 Charge + 1 Cast]. The stream of lightning would then flow between the two points for the duration of the spell, walling off the area and affecting those who pass through the area of effect.

• Does not start fires or burn objects in the environment.
• Disconnection lore applies as normal. If the lightning stream is canceled early, the same amount of mana is used up.
• If the target moves out of range, the stream of Lightning disappears and the spell ends. 
• Once the spell starts, the lightning stream will follow the target until they move out of range, the mage is disconnected, or the spell ends. Other characters in the area may suffer the effects of the spell if they come between the target and the mage, but can not be specifically targeted if the Lightning Stream is already targeting someone else. 
• When anchoring the Lightning Stream between two objects, both must be stationary and nonliving (essentially neither end can be a player character). Cannot place one end on a stationary object and another on a person, or put both ends on two different people. 
• It would be wise not to get too close to a friend that’s getting Lightning Streamed if you have stacks of Static. Really.
• Maintaining this spell counts as a major action.

[1 Connect + Up to 3 Charge (marking a target clearly with an anchor for each charge) + 1 Cast] 

By extending the principles behind the basic lightning bolt, an experienced Lightning Evocationist can queue up multiple targets for a single, curving bolt that leaps between selected targets. 

This bolt is even weaker than the standard Lightning Bolt, and requires a separate anchor to be placed on each target. Hits up to [3] targets and adds [+1] Static to each, however it does not have concussive force or do much more than singe exposed skin or hair slightly (burning is for flavor, effectively the damage can be shrugged off and it’s a way of applying Static).

If the target moves out of the way or behind cover, the anchor can be transferred to another target, but doing so will take the same number of emotes as forming one in the first place. This will not expend any additional mana, however. 

If a target has a shield, they can block the bolt by holding the shield up with both hands and bracing, though in the process they would have to drop any other weapons or handheld equipment (potions etc). These items, once dropped, could not be picked up for one emote following the shield bracing emote. 

The chain will form in a way that allows it to hit the most targets, such that if one target is bracing with a shield, the others must also do so (or move behind an object - behind the person bracing would suffice) in order to avoid being struck.

• If cast with Incanter’s Flow from an Eminent, there must still be one additional turn between the last target being marked with an anchor and the spell going off. If three targets are selected, two must be marked on the first charging emote, and one must be marked on the second. If two targets are selected, both must be marked on the charging emote. This is to give all targets at least one emote to respond or find cover before the spell fires.
• Cannot hit targets the caster does not have line of sight to, even if another target in the chain has line of sight to said target.

[1 Connect + 1 Charge(Anchoring the Sky) + 2 Charge + 1 Cast]

With an effect visually similar to, but much weaker than the infamous ‘Calldown’ of ancient Lightning Evocation, a master Lightning Evocationist can call down a lightning strike from an anchor placed in the sky. 

Calls down a bolt from an anchor in the sky to strike a target on the ground, creating an explosion with a [4] block radius (As of writing, this is less than a combustive Flame Blast). Throws those affected back [4] blocks [+1] block for each Static charge on the target, potentially breaking bones if they hit a solid surface. Thrown targets must spend at least one turn getting up, in addition to potential damage from the throw. 

This spell adds [+1] unit of Static to those affected, which applies before the throw distance is calculated. An extra emote can be added on during charging to make the spell apply [+2] Static instead (in this case it would take one emote more than a combustive flame blast). 

This spell can target a specific enemy / creature rather than an area. In this case, there is no area of effect, and the Thunderous Strike applies [1] more unit of Static than it would have normally. (If uncharged, it applies [2] Static instead of [1], if charged, it applies [3] Static instead of [2]). It also throws the affected target back [6] + Static count blocks (instead of [4] + Static count), in a direction of the caster’s choosing. 

This form of the spell requires an anchor to be formed on the target, just like Lightning Bolt or Chain Bolt. This will give the target ample time (several emotes) to react. The target is anchored on the second Charge emote.

Very large creatures such as Brutus Golems or Ologs may be knocked down for one turn rather than thrown. In this case they would still have to spend one turn getting up. 

Static stacks are counted after the spell hits (if the target has [0] stacks and is targeted for a single-target charged Thunderous Strike, the [+3] Static will take effect before the knockback and they will be counted as having [3] stacks for the purposes of the spell.) 

If the target would go over the [3] Static count after being hit by the spell, the additional Static stacks still apply to the knockback distance.

All Static stacks are removed from those affected when the spell ends. 

The Jolted effect does not apply when this spell hits - however, those hit by the spell must spend one turn getting up from the ground after it’s casted. (In practice, one can emote recovering from the Jolt effect while getting up - this is simply to prevent a target from being ‘stunned’ for two turns in a row by Jolt + having to get up).

This spell will produce a loud thunderclap, which may potentially distract nearby characters or disconnect nearby mages. This disconnection occurs at the other mages’ (not the casting mage’s) discretion. Those that are hit by the blast will have ringing ears, but this should not affect combat.

• This spell does not apply any combat-outcome affecting burns to those affected under any circumstances, just concussive force and Static. Minor burns, singeing, ringing ears etc. may be emoted for flavor. These are not mandatory and should not affect combat. Those affected by these optional burns, singeing, ringing ears etc. can emote powering through it (like a badass).
• Thunderous Strike cannot be cast indoors. The sky must be visible, and there must be a line of sight from some area of the sky to the target for it to hit (it will not pass through windows or metal bars, and is not precise enough to fit through a window to strike the inside of a room even if the window is open).
• Shield bracing would not allow one to defend against a Thunderous Strike. One would have to move indoors or find a way to disconnect the Lightning Evocationist in order to avoid it.
• Like a combustive flame blast, it is generally not reasonable to simply dodge an area-targeted Thunderous Strike, though it is possible to brisk step or minor teleport away from one. It is also possible for targets to move to shelter (under a roof) in order to avoid a Thunderous Strike.
• Must emote a crackling anchor of some sort in the sky as soon as charging begins, making it clear with an unmistakable tell that this ‘calldown’-esque spell is about to take place. 
• The sound of the thunderclap does not stun nearby characters or prevent them from acting. The level of disorientation is up to the player writing the affected character. 

Spells: Conjure Lightning, Jump Start

Skill Level: All non-combative capabilities have a size of [1] meter at the very maximum, though will often be unable to produce more than a few sparks before becoming exhausted. This stage is typically reserved for observing and studying lightning and its effects.

Spells: Conjure Lightning, Jump Start, Charged Weapon, Amped Reflexes

Skill Level: All non-combative capabilities have a size of [5] meters at the very maximum, still unable to shape the chaotic element into anything more than a series of arcs. After a few moments of evoking, they will be left exhausted.

Spells: Conjure Lightning, Jump Start, Charged Weapon, Amped Reflexes, Static Field, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Step

Skill Level: All non-combative capabilities have a size of [15] meters at the very maximum, able to make rough, though mostly indiscernible shapes. The mage may now begin to arc their lightning more effectively in combat.

Spells: Conjure Lightning, Jump Start, Charged Weapon, Amped Reflexes, Static Field, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Step, Lightning Stream, Chain Bolt

Skill Level: All non-combative capabilities have a maximum size of [25] meters, able to make discernable shapes that barely hold their forms. The combative usage of their arcs grows quite substantial.

Spells: Conjure Lightning, Jump Start, Charged Weapon, Amped Reflexes, Static Field, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Step, Lightning Stream, Chain Bolt, Thunderous Strike

Skill Level: All non-combative capabilities have peak maximum size of [50] meters, able to sustain effects and conjurations for a significant time. Their skill in wielding lightning is unmatched combatively, able to cover the battlefield in brilliant electrical arcs.

2015 Electrical Evo Guide

Feedback from Disco's Electrical Evocation submission

Art 1

Art 2

I've seen some discussion lately asking why the Static mechanic exists. In addition to the other ways of mitigating the effects of a Bolt type spell (shields, structures, specific targets being warned ahead of time, the inability to hold a Bolt in reserve - there's no way to charge up a bolt and blast someone as they peek around a corner like there is with other evocations), we wanted to find another way to balance lightning in order to strike that middle ground between Bolts being useless and being oppressive. We considered something similar to the Eminent's Incanter's Flow at first, where repeated spellcasts would increase the potency of a spell, but that wouldn't necessarily give all targeted characters the same level of advance warning. What if a Lightning Evocationist fired off spells in other directions to build up strength first, and then blasted someone? That person would have less time to react. 

The Static mechanic is intended to make it so that anyone who might be subject to additional harmful effects will already have been hit by one or multiple Lightning Evocation spells in the same combat. Lightning spells, in general, are fairly underpowered compared to equivalent spells from other evocations until Static is applied, and reach a relative parity (though with different niches and tradeoffs) only once Static has been applied to a specific target. This way, we keep the 'ramping up' feeling, preserve the philosophy that all targeted characters will have ample warning and time to react, and add an additional balancing/counterplay measure if a Lightning Evocationist is disconnected (all Static counts reset to zero). Our hope is also that by capping Static at 3, it won't be difficult to keep count or keep track of how much Static any target has (especially because a mage's mana pool will limit how much Static is applied/expended in a longer combat).

I certainly hope not - but here's my thinking. As always, we're open to feedback from the community and from the ST, and personally I'm far more excited for the noncombative uses of the spell than anything in combat. As a last resort, we would be open to making it a noncombative only spell.

That being said, in my opinion, it's fairly well balanced compared to Translocation spells, and arguably even worse than being a non-mage or just sprinting without using any sort of spell. Here's the math:

Scenario One: Existing Translocation spells vs. Lightning Step

As you can see, in this scenario a Lightning Evocationist would only be able to cover between 23 and 26 percent of the ground a Translocationist could cover in the same time - and would have no instant dodges to respond to incoming spells or projectiles in that time. The Translocationist would have two instant dodges in that time. We hope this is considered balanced, and we're comfortable with Lightning Step's utility here and the options it gives the Lightning Evocationist without encroaching on Translocation's niche as a movement-focused magic.

Scenario Two: Regular Guy vs. Lightning Step

In this scenario, after four turns, the Lightning Evocationist has traveled an equal amount of distance to a regular guy, and both have had the same number of attacks. Alternatively, the regular guy has traveled 20% more, 40% more, or 60% more distance than the Lightning Evocationist, depending on whether they chose to sprint or just move and attack in previous turns. In no scenario can the Lightning Evocationist outpace the Regular Guy by turn four. Additionally, on turn one the Regular Guy will always cover more ground, beating the Lightning Evocationist every time, and on turn two both the Regular Guy and the Lightning Evocationist will have had the same number of attacks and same total distance covered - though Regular Guy has the option to forgo his attack and outpace the Lightning Evocationist. The Lightning Evocationist does not have the same option, and will not have been able to travel more than 12 blocks since the start of turn one regardless of their decisions by turn two.

Now, this doesn't make Lightning Step entirely useless, as there could potentially be times where it could be important in combat to cover a longer distance for a specific one or two turns - but it's definitely more of a tradeoff, not just against other magic but also against not using a spell at all.

But what if the Lightning Evocationist cancels the spell after just one turn of the boost, in order to avoid the fatigue?

Finally, from a lore perspective - nothing says that mages can't technically be fast, they just can't be strong, and their stamina might not be as good. We believe this spell adheres to both principles - it doesn't increase the mage's strength at all, and it certainly doesn't give them stamina. Competing options outpace it over time, every time. 

• 11/16/23 - Formatting changes. Added a specific mention that Anorum armor was excluded from the Static penalty (this was implied as the original post stated the armor must be metal to incur a penalty, but this makes it explicit).
• 11/18/23 - Amped Reflexes can only be used to respond to projectile attacks.
• 11/18/23 - Lightning Step and Amped Reflexes cannot be cast at the same time, and no longer have any sort of interaction.
• 11/18/23 - Added a clarification that Static can still apply to creatures immune to Jolt (to preserve other spell effects). If a creature immune to Jolt reaches 3 stacks of static, it resets to 0 harmlessly rather than resetting to 0 and applying Jolt.
• 11/18/23 - Added a 'Why Static?' section to explain why this mechanic exists, and the balancing philosophy behind it. Also bolded additional important terms/redlines/mentions of Static application for readability.
• 11/18/23 - Added a breakdown of Lightning Step and the math on distance traveled to further clarify the intent and balancing behind the spell.

OOC: This is a retelling of yesterday’s Voidal Hollow event. Those who died met their final death with a PK, and all dialogue is copy pasted from the RP that actually happened (with edits for grammar in some cases).

Bonus Screenshots: