Wall of Force

Evocation [force]

• Level Magic-user 5

• Components V, S, M

• Casting Time 5 segments

• Range 30-ft.

• Area of Effect a plane whose area is up to one 20-ft. square per caster level

• Duration 10 rounds plus 1 round per caster level

• Save None or Dexterity vs. Petrify (see description)

This spell creates a completely transparent, indestructible barrier in the form of a wall, hemisphere or sphere.

During the spell targeting phase of the casting (innate), the caster must select the form of the spell to cast:

• Vertical Wall

• Hemisphere

• Sphere

In any case, no matter the form selected, the following attributes are true:

• One part of the spell must begin within the range of the spell.

• The caster cannot end the spell early.

• The effect must rest on a solid surface. Thus, the spell will fail or fail to extend onto non-solid surfaces such as water, quicksand, deep mud, or deep sand.

• The area of force effect must be contiguous.

• The effect is immobile (and cannot be moved by any force) but can be placed on a moving surface (see below).

• The barrier is is immune to damage of all kinds.

• The barrier stops all gases, liquids, thermal emanations, and physical matter.

• The barrier has no thickness and no weight.

• A barrier that touches a solid surface forms an air-tight seal with that surface (ground, wall, or ceiling). Small matter (dirt, scree, less than 1-ft. of sand or similar) is shunted to either side. Small amounts of liquid or mud (under 1-ft. depth) are likewise displaced.

• Objects not considered to be part of the terrain (crates, boxes, etc.) will be shifted to one side of the barrier unless the GM rules they are too big. If this is so, then the spell if fail—either completely or up to that point. The spell cannot be used to lever or move large objects in any event.

• The barrier cannot be touched—the amount of force applied is equal to the amount of force resisting. Thus, the barrier cannot be climbed.

• If the solid surface that supports the barrier is transformed into something else (rock to mud effect, etc.), the barrier will be unaffected unless the entire surface used by the spell is transformed (in this case, the spell will fail).

• The barrier breaks line of effect and stops all magical emanations, bursts, or auras (unless these have an area of effect that can extend around the area covered by the barrier).

• Phasing effects are blocked by the barrier. Ethereal travel is blocked by the barrier (although, unless a sphere, the barrier may be bypassed).

• The barrier is immune to all magical effects including dispel magic effects except for the following:

  • • A disintegrate effect that targets the barrier immediately destroys the entire effect. Likewise for the touch of a rod of cancellation, a sphere of annihilation, or being in the area of effect of a Wizard’s Disjunction spell (standard chance to dispel).

    • Anti-magic effects suppress any part of the barrier within their area of effect.

    • A creature with magic resistance can make one magic resistance check to bypass the barrier that lasts for the duration of the spell.

    • Teleport effects can bypass the barrier.

    • Gaze attacks can operate through the barrier.

SAVING THROWS

• If the barrier is cast in a way that it bisects a melee, each creature in melee must roll a Dexterity save vs. Petrify. The is also true if the barrier is cast such that it interects with a space (square on a grid map) occupied by a creature or is placed with an intent to trap a creature.

• If the effect is a vertical wall, those that make the save are given a choice as to which side of the effect they wish to be located. Those that miss the save will be assigned a side randomly.

• If the effect is a hemisphere or sphere, those that make the save end up outside of the effect (this save cannot be purposefully failed or given up) and those that fail the save end up inside the effect. If the GM determines that the effect cannot hold the number of creatures with some room allowed for movement (due to number, the height of the creatures, objects held by the creatures, etc.), the spell fails. A willing creature that has experience working with the effect and knows the effect is coming can choose to be contained automatically.

VERTICAL WALL

• • The caster can create a vertical plane of force with a total area of up to one 20-ft. square per caster level. Each segment uses at minimum, an area of 20-ft. by 20-ft. (against the total area available). However, the length and height of the effect will otherwise conform to the space. Thus, a 10th level caster can create a wall up to 200-ft. long and up to 20-ft. high (or less if the ceiling height is restricted). The same caster could create a wall/barrier covering 40-ft. across and up to 100-ft. high. 

  • Anything dropped on the plane from above, will be magically shunted to one side chosen at random. If hitting the ground, standard falling damage is taken. Thus, the wall will not normally support weight unless the GM rules differently. For example, a cave-in will typically fill the space around the wall unless ruled differently by the GM. Likewise, coverings made from cloth or even liquid cannot be draped over the wall or stick to it's surface. A wall of force in a light rain is still invisible, although the barrier will be easily seen in a downpour and will provide cover from winds of any strength (depending on the direction relative to the one next to the wall).

HEMISPHERE OR SPHERE

• • The caster can create a hemispherical plane of force over a solid surface protecting or possibly trapping those within (see Saving Throws above). The area required is a minimum of 10-ft. and otherwise equal to the diameter of the hemisphere. If the solid surface is less than this, the spell fails.

  • The hemisphere or sphere is not conform to a space and if there is not room or an object bisects the barrier, the spell will fail when cast.

  • Otherwise, the spell can be made into a sphere touching (seemingly resting upon) a horizonal solid surface. The area required is a minimum of 10-ft. and otherwise equal to the diameter of the sphere. If the solid surface is less than this, the spell fails.

  • The total area provided by the spell not not change for this version of the spell so the size of the hemisphere by caster level is:

CASTING A WALL OF FORCE ON A MOVING SURFACE

• The moving surface must be at minimum 20-ft. long if placing a vertical wall and 10-ft. square if placing a hemisphere or sphere (or more depending upon caster level, see above).

• The surface must be "solid" per the GM. This means more than one foot of solid matter covering the entire area. Thus, typical carts or even the deck of a ship will not have enough thickness to register as "solid" ground.

• However, if the requirements are met the spell can be cast on a moving solid surface. Should the barrier then contact another moving object, stationary object or terrain feature, the GM will determine the effect—typically damage to the object or terrain occurs as well as possible damage to the surface transporting the wall of force effect. 

CREATURES FORCEFULLY CONTACTING A WALL OF FORCE

If a moving creature runs unknowingly into a wall of force barrier, they will take damage. The damage is dependent on the creature's size and velocity:

• A creature of any size moving at 120-ft. per round or less will take 1d4 damage.

• A man-sized or smaller creature moving between 121-ft. and 240-ft. per round will take 1d6 damage.

• A Large creature moving between 121-ft. and 240-ft. per round will take 2d4 damage.

• A Small creature moving between 241-ft. and 360-ft. per round will take 1d10 damage.

• A Man-sized creature moving between 241-ft. and 360-ft. per round will take 3d6 damage.

• A Large creature moving between 241-ft. and 360-ft. per round will take 3d10 damage (if over 1,000-lbs., they will take 3d20 damage).

• Creatures moving faster than 360-ft. per round take damage as if falling 60-ft.

Moving objects striking the barrier will take structural damage (if large) or must make an Item Save (if small). Structure damage will be set by the GM, but will roughly conform to the above in shp. Item save will be vs. Blow, either Crushing or Normal depending on the velocity and size.

Materials Components. A diamond or diamond dust worth at least 1,000 g.p. The component is consumed in the casting of the spell. Cost/Scarcity. 1,000 g.p./Rare.

Known Substitutions. Other gems of similar values have been known to produce barriers of different tints (not invisible).