Spark
A spark is a generic measure of magical power that is equivalent to about 1/3 a spell slot. The concept is introduced in order to allow casters to expend less power than a full spell slot for things like metamagic feats or Prestidignation-like powers. It is closely linked to Spell Trickery as well as magic residue.
A character uses a spell that transforms a spell slot into "free-floating energy" related to their person that can be used for manipulating other spells or perform small tricks. The energy is available for a time period (usually 24 hours) regardless of resting or other effects. They can be seen as an enchantment and can be dispelled if targeted directly (they get a saving throw) or they will simply be supressed like a magic item if not directly targeted.
Even smaller fractions of power can be used, called twinkles. A twinkle is exactly a tenth of a spark and are entirely interchangable with sparks at will, as an immediate action.
Usage
A spark is used in conjunction with meta-magic feats as well as for other, minor tasks. Using a spark with a meta-magic feat follows the rules stated on the feat requiring it and does not use additional time or actions to perform. If a separate action uses a spark, it usually involves a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity if the caster does not have combat casting.
Creating Sparks
All casters recieves Create Spark and Create Lasting Spark in addition to their regular lists. Regardless if the character can cast spontaneously or not, she can always cast one of these two spell spontaneously. An additional difference between these spells and most others is that the caster can choose what level spell slot she wants to use for the spell.
Create Spark
- lvl 0 = 1
- lvl 1 = 3
- lvl 2 = 6
- lvl 3 = 9
- lvl 4 = 12
- lvl 5 = 15
- lvl 6 = 18
- lvl 7 = 21
- lvl 8 = 24
- lvl 9 = 27
- All schools
- Level: all classes; 0-9
- Components: none
- Casting Time: 1 Standard Action
- Range: Self
- Target: Self
- Duration: Instantaneously
- Saving Throw: Yes (harmless)
- Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
Any caster can cast this spell in place of a prepared spell, even if they are otherwise not able to cast spontaneously. You use a portion of your power to create sparks attached to you which can be used for a number of things. The sparks last for 24 hours.
When casting, choose the level of power you wish to convert to sparks. You then use up that spell slot and instead get sparks equivalate to this power. Se Table: Sparks.
When power is converted to sparks it cannot be converted back into a spell slot without the use of some other spell or special power.
For Pathfinder casters, there is a limit on the usage of level-0 slots.
Create Lasting Spark
- All schools
- Level: all classes; 1-9
- Components: none
- Casting Time: 1 Standard Action
- Range: Self
- Target: Self
- Duration: Instantaneously
- Saving Throw: Yes (harmless)
- Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
This spell works as Create Spark with the difference that the spell creates Lasting Sparks instead of Sparks. Create Lasting Spark creates 1 Lasting Spark per spell level, as opposed to 3 but they last for 72 hours instead of 24.
Pathfinder
A spark is meant to be roughly equivalent to a level-0 spell, but since Pathfinder lets pure casters use any amount of level-0 spells per day, they need alternative rules. In this case time will be one factor included.
Pathfinder casters don't contain more power, they have just learned to use these spells with a negligible amount of power. As such they can cast a level-0 spell an amount of times equal to the amount of level-1 spells they can cast, minus two. However, if they use up that amount, they will effectively have "used all level-0 spell slots" for the day.
In addition to this, casters with no limit to level-0 spells cast per day can use their heighten skill to channel power directly from the surrounding magic rather than using their own. This takes a bit of time, however, so every 10 minutes a caster spends of undisturbed concentration creates one spark "for free". A concentration check of 10 is needed for the task. The caster can't "take 10" for the roll but doesn't have to roll if they have a concentration bonus of +9 or more.