Sunshield

This is the most fearsome of the defensive spells used by Sun Mages. It is cast into a specially prepared shadowstone gem of at least 1,000 gp value. This gem is worn at all times by the mage casting the spell. At the time of the casting, the Sun Mage establishes a command word that will activate the gem's power.

The first effect of the sunshield is to enhance the wearer's AC by 3 points, lowering an AC of 9 to an AC of 6, for example. This effect is permanent and always accessible, regardless of the status of the secondary effects; the wearer does not need to speak the command word to keep this power active. This gem's Armor Class bonuses can operate with both bracers of defense and rings of protection. However, after the secondary effects of the spell have been activated, the gem shatters into useless shards. The second, and by far more dangerous effect, is the sudden explosion of flame that engulfs the Sun Mage wearing the sunshield stone. These flames are extremely hot, and seem to explode from the caster, enveloping everyone within a 30-foot radius. With the exception of the Sun Mage who activated the spell, those caught in the expanding flames suffer 10d6 points of fire damage: victims can attempt a saving throw vs. spell for half damage. As with all offensive sun magic spells, no natural or magical resistance to fire has any effect against the sunshield.

The mage must be standing in full sunlight to cast this spell.