Blazing Shield (spell)

Blazing Shield is a 3rd level Shield spell in the Fire (Arcane) spell school.

Target: Self  | Type: Persistent Spell

Cost: 30

Description
You weave your mana into a flaming shield made of extremely hot flames, giving off immense heat and bright light. The shield forms around you in a roughly ovoid shape, covering your entire body, and is translucent and intangible.

The shield can be solidified at your will, creating resistant force against any object, physical or magical, trying to pass through its boundaries.

Usage
Roll 1d8, plus your Intelligence modifier, for the shield's strength. While it remains active, you may make Intelligence-based defence rolls, and any Strength or Dexterity saving throws made to avoid damage or to prevent something touching you can be made as Intelligence saving throws instead.

Damage taken when defending in this manner depletes the shield's strength. If damage received in a single blow exceeds the remaining strength of the shield, you take the excess in damage.

Blazing Shield is resistant to Fire damage, and expires after one minute or when the strength reaches zero. Any creature that makes physical contact with you during this time takes 1d8 Fire damage from the flames, per turn, until they move away.

Additionally, when struck the shield releases a burst of flame at the attacker if they are within 5 feet. The target must succeed a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d4 Fire damage.

The shield explodes when destroyed, causing a fiery nova for 20 feet around you. All creatures in range must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d6 Fire damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success.

Empowerment
On cast, you can spend additional mana to empower the spell, gaining 1 empowerment for every 5 mana spent. You can add mana up to the 10th empowerment.

The shield's strength increases by 1d8 per empowerment.

At 5th Empowerment, the burst of flame when struck deals an additional 1d4, and the shield explodes for an additional 1d6 Fire damage.

At 10th Empowerment, the burst of flame when struck deals an additional 2d4 Fire damage, and the shield explodes for an additional 2d6 Fire damage.

Additional Details
The shield casts a bright light for 10 feet and a dim light for 20 feet, and causes any source of water within 5 feet to start boiling.

The heat is projected outwards only, while the space within retains its normal temperature. The flames are intangible and do not set fire to things that touch them, but the heat can cause scalding burns even when you are not willing the shield to solidify.

As a bonus action you may focus on the flames to dissipate them briefly, allowing someone to pass through the shield unharmed.