Area Elements

All chaos magic spells are considered to affect only a single target by default. However, the chaos mage may extend his powers across wider areas, potentially affect many different subjects with a single casting. An area of effect may be freely selected by the chaos mage to enhance his spell, but each will modify the Casting DC of the spell, as detailed below.

It should be noted that all chaos magic spell require a clear line of effect between caster and subject (or targeted area) in order to be succesful. A line of effect is a straight, unblocked path that indicates what a spell can affect. A line of effect is canceled by a solid barrier.

You must have a clear line of effect to any target that you cast a spell on or to any space in which you wish to create an effect. You must have a clear line of effect to the point of origin of any spell you cast. A burst, cone, cylinder, or emanation spell affects only an area, creatures, or objects to which it has line of effect from its origin (a spherical burst’s center point, a cone-shaped burst’s starting point, a cylinder’s circle, or an emanation’s point of origin).

An otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square foot through it does not block a spell’s line of effect. Such an opening means that the 5-foot length of wall containing the hole is no longer considered a barrier for purposes of a spell’s line of effect.

Single Target (DC+0)

The spell will affect only a single target. This does not further modify the Casting DC.

Burst (DC+5)

A burst spell affects whatever it catches in its area, even including creatures that you can’t see. It can’t affect creatures with total cover from its point of origin (in other words, its effects don’t extend around corners). The shape for a burst effect is a sphere. sphere-shaped spell expands from its point of origin to fill a spherical area. A burst’s area defines how far from the point of origin the spell’s effect extends.

The default effect radius for a burst is a minimum of 5ft. and the maximum equal to the caster's level x 5ft.

Cone (DC+5)

A cone-shaped spell shoots away from you in a quarter-circle in the direction you designate. It starts from any corner of your square and widens out as it goes.

The default effect length for a cone is a minimum of 10ft. and the maximum equal to the caster's level x 10ft, and is always as high and wide as it's length.

Emanation (DC+10)

An emanation spell functions like a burst spell, except that the effect continues to radiate from the point of origin for the duration of the spell. The shape of an emanation is a sphere. sphere-shaped spell expands from its point of origin to fill a spherical area.

The default effect radius for an emanation is a minimum of 5ft. and the maximum equal to the caster's level x 5ft.

Line (DC+10)

A line-shaped spell shoots away from you in a line in the direction you designate. It starts from any corner of your square and extends to the limit of its range or until it strikes a barrier that blocks line of effect. A line-shaped spell affects all creatures in squares that the line passes through.

The default effect length for a line is a minimum of 20ft. and the maximum equal to the caster's level x 20ft. A line is always 5ft. wide and 5ft. high.

Spread (DC+10)

A spread spell spreads out like a burst but can turn corners. You select the point of origin, and the spell spreads out a given distance in all given directions. Figure the area the spell effect fills by taking into account any turns the spell effect takes. The shape of a spread is a sphere. sphere-shaped spell expands from its point of origin to fill a spherical area.

The default effect radius for a spread is a minimum of 5ft. and the maximum equal to the caster's level x 5ft.

Cylinder (DC+10)

When casting a cylinder-shaped spell, you select the spell’s point of origin. This point is the center of a horizontal circle, and the spell shoots down from the circle, filling a cylinder. A cylinder-shaped spell ignores any obstructions within its area.

The default effect radius for a cylinder is a minimum of 5ft. and the maximum equal to the caster's level x 5ft.

Shapeable (DC+15)

A shaped effect or area can have no dimension smaller than 10 feet. Many effects or areas are given as cubes to make it easy to model irregular shapes. Three-dimensional volumes are most often needed to define aerial or underwater effects and areas.

A shaped area's size is measures in 5ft. cubes. A shaped area can never take up more then 5 5ft. cubes + 10 5ft cubes per caster level.

The are of effect can also be enhanced through the use of any of the following:

Enemies Only (DC+5)

The spell affects hostile targets only. Not that this not require the caster to know who his enemies are - the magic knows the intent of all those within the area of effect. The spell will, however, fail to hit any possibly hostile targets if the neither the caster is aware of the creature's hostile intent, and the creature is not aware of the caster, and the caster's identity.

Allies Only (DC+5)

The spell will only affect those targets in the area that are friendly to the character, and considered friendly by the caster.

Chosen Targets (DC+1 per subject)

The caster specifies which creatures in the area of effect will, or will not be affected. Note that subjects so specified do not have to visible to the caster when they are chosen, though he must be aware of them. Note, too, that the subjects so chosen by the caster must already be within the area of effect of the caster's spell. The Casting DC modifier is +1 per subject whose state of being affected, within the area of effect, is changed.

Creatures (DC+0)

A spell with this kind of area affects creatures directly (like a targeted spell), but it affects all creatures in an area of some kind rather than individual creatures you select.

Many spells affect “living creatures,” which means all creatures other than constructs and undead. Creatures in the spell’s area that are not of the appropriate type do not count against the creatures affected.

Objects Only (DC+0)

The spell only effects inanimate objects, including those carried, worn or held by a creature.