Triggers
While chaos magic is intentionally difficult to cast, it is possible to decrease the difficulty of casting a spell by placing limitations on its activation. Known as triggers, these methods are also useful for limiting the effect of a spell to a specific area or for ensuring that it only affects creatures who perform (or fail to perform) a specific action. In general, a trigger limits the effect of the spell, thereby decreasing the difficulty of the spellcasting check. Like chaos magic effects, triggers come in different categories, each of which is described below. Triggers can react to either the attempt to do something, in which case they go off before the attempted action, or as a response to an action taken, in which case they go off immediately following the successful completion of an action. However their potential, the magic of a trigger needs some time to settle in, before they can come into effect. This timespan is a different value for every kind of trigger.
Common Triggers (DC -5)
Common triggers can be easily met and are most often used to set chaos magic ‘traps.’ While a trigger might not be tripped, thereby making the spell worthless, a little practice will allow the chaos mage to craft spells and triggers that will be tripped by his enemies or allies, as the case may be. A common trigger needs 1 round to settle in before being able to take effect. Examples of minor triggers are:
Uncommon Triggers (DC -10)
These triggers are more difficult to set off and may never be tripped at all. An uncommon trigger needs 1 minute to settle in before being able to take effect. These require a specific action of a specific type to be fulfilled, as illustrated in the examples below.
Rare Triggers (DC -15)
Triggers of this sort are likely to never go off and are often used as a threat hanging over the head of the target. A rare trigger needs 1 hour to settle in before being able to take effect. These triggers have a specific action of a specific type against a specific target, at the minimum before they go off, as shown in the examples below.
Triggers and Duration
The duration of a spell does not begin until its trigger has been tripped. At that point, the spell goes off as normal and its duration begins. A spell cast with a trigger condition will persist for one day per caster level, or until its triggering condition has been met.
Triggers and Saving Throws
Whenever a chaos magic spell with a trigger is cast, that spell does not require the need for a saving throw or spell resistance check until the trigger condition is satisfied. The spell clings to the target until it is triggered, lying dormant within the pattern of the target’s aura until it is ignited by the fulfilment of the trigger.
Triggers and Range
Once a spell with a trigger is cast, it remains in place until the trigger is fulfilled. This means the area of effect remains where it was cast, or the spell remains targeted on the person it was originally cast upon, until it is triggered, regardless of how far or how fast the target moves.
Triggers and Counterspells and Dispel Magic
A chaos magic spell with a trigger must be counterspelled at the moment is cast, it cannot be countered when it is triggered. Dispel magic or other spells or effects designed to destroy magic will affect an untriggered spell, however, potentially removing it before the trigger can be fulfilled. Of course, the canny chaos mage will set up a trap designed to trigger the spell whenever someone attempts to dispel it.