Masking Ward

Ability Type: Spell, Difficulty 16
Provided By: Common Dark Magic

Spell Type: Elemental, Darkness
Form: Static
Function: Illusion, Defensive
Power Cost: 2 to 4
Duration: Maintainable
Notes: Cloaked

Used to conceal the contents of a fixed area from watchful eyes, Masking Ward warps light around it – making anything inside the shielded area difficult to see from without. In addition the ward helps to defend its occupants from the effects of bright flashes or Light Damage originating from outside the field.

Although the spell's light-warping effect becomes rather obvious when seen up close in good lighting, it is extremely effective at distance and especially at night. The listed Visual Awareness Penalty is applied when trying to discern details of the area's interior while outside the boundary - but within Close Viewing Range. At Medium Viewing Range, the bonus is doubled, at Long Viewing Range it is quadrupled. In addition, the penalty is doubled if the warded area has at least a -4 Darkness Penalty affecting it, and Darkness Penalties are applied on top of the spell's own concealment effect.

Visual Awareness Penalty: -2 (doubled with Darkness Penalty of -4 or more, and increasing with range)
Close Viewing Range: 0-24m (no effect on Visual Awareness Penalty)
Medium Viewing Range: 25-49m (doubles Visual Awareness Penalty)
Long Viewing Range: 50m+ (quadruples Visual Awareness penalty)
Maximum Visual Awareness Penalty: -16 (at 50m range or more, with at least -4 Darkness)
Bonus Armour vs Light Damage: +1 x Power
Dazzling Resistance Bonus: +2 x Power
Ward Boundary: Sphere with radius of 1m x Power
Creation Range: 1m x Power