Help System

NAME
spell surges and backfires - more information on these events

DESCRIPTION
Spell surges and backfires are the bane of spellcasters
of all types. They occur when the spellcaster loses control
of the magic being summoned. Depending on the severity of the
control loss, it can result in the effect of the spell being
turned upon the caster, or it can result in the magic turning
'wild' and virtually any number of (usually) minor affects
can happen.

Spell surges and backfires are more common the more difficult
the spell is, relative to the caster's spell complexity
comprehension (SCC) percentage.

Some examples of 'wild surges' include:
* The room is shaken by a minor earthquake or sonic boom
* A 'circle of fire' effect occurs in the area
* Harmless bubbles/smoke stream out of the caster's ears
* Minor embarassing bodily functions (hiccups, burps, etc.)
* Everyone in the room affected by minor 'heal' effect
* Caster turns invisible
* Caster becomes 'silenced'
* Some minor object appears in the room
* Caster surrounded by a pillar of deadly flames (rare)

Certain spells such as 'counterspell' can cause spells to
backfire or surge at a high rate due to their intentional
disruptive effect on the magic involved. So, too, can some
attacks, such as 'bash', cause a spell surge or backfire,
as the caster can be significantly interrupted during a casting.

There are known to be special items that can absorb these
surges and wild energies and harmlessly ground them. These
items are known as surge protectors and usually work for a
limited number of times before failing.

SEE ALSO
Cast, Scc, Invoke, Evoke, Counterspell, Bash