L^: d3, mu2, wj2	-	R#: 12" (d: 16")	-	D^: S
C^: v.s (d: v.s.m)	-	CT: 2 (d: 5)	-	S^: None
A^: 10 or 100 times the fire source	-	-	-	UW : No *

Effect: A pyrotechnics spell can have either of two effects.

It produces a flashing and fiery burst of glowing, colored aerial
fireworks which lasts 1 segment per experience level of the druid casting
the spell and temporarily blinds those creatures in the area of effect or
under it or within 12" of the area (and in any event in unobstructed line of
sight);

or

it causes a thick writhing stream of smoke to arise from the fire
source of the spell and form a choking cloud which lasts for 1 round per
experience level of the druid casting it, covering a roughly globular area
from the ground or floor up (or conforming to the shape of a confined
area), which totally obscures vision beyond 2'. The spell requires a fire of
some sort in range. The area of pyrotechnics effect is 10 times the volume
of the fire source with respect to fireworks, 100 times with respect to
smoke. In either case, the fire source is immediately extinguished by the
employment of the spell.

* can be cast and will function within the bounds of an airy water spell.

Q. Is it possible to cast the spell
pyrotechnics on magical fires, for
example a fireball, and wll it increase
the area of effect of the fireball by 10
as pyrotechnics does with a normal
fire?
A. A pyrotechnics spell does not
increase the volume of a flame by a
factor of 10.  What it actually does is
to replace the flame by a cloud of
blinding fireworks (10 times the
volume of the flame) or smoke (100
times the volume of the flame),
extinguishing the flame in the
process.
    It seems reasonable to say that
casting the spell on a fireball would
be possible, since a fireball spell
actually produces flame (as it should
do, given its name).  Since the flames
are extinguished, the fireball would
no longer do any damage, but the
effects could still be quite interesting
-- and potentially very powerful.
    A pyrotechnics spell cast upon a
fireball could produce a sphere of
blinding fireworks with a radius of
about 43 feet, and it would also blind
all creatures up to 120 feet beyond
that, plus those in a direct line of
sight! Alternatively, the combination
could produce a globe of smoke about
93 feet in radius, within which vision
is reduced to 2 feet or less.  These,
even by mega-character standards,
are pretty powerful -- and would be
excellent methods for stopping large
concentrated groups of creatures, if
only by laying down a smokescreen
on top of an advancing army, or
blinding a regiment or 2...
    Difficulties arise in respect of timing,
aiming and ranging.  For the
combination of spells to work, the
2 casters (there would have to be
2 casters) would not only have to
cast their 2 spells at the
same time, but they would also have
to cast them into the same place.  Not
easy in the heat of battle!
    Finally, although a fireball has a
range of 10" + 1"/level, the pyrotechnics
spell has only a 16" or 12"
range, depending upon whether a
druid or a MU casts it, which
might limit the range of the combined
effect somewhat.
(Imagine #26)
 

Wu Jen: The pyrotechnics spell has two forms, both of which require a fire source that is extinguished in casting the spell.
    * The first form generates fireworks in an area 10 times the fire source, which blinds those within 12" looking at it for 1 segment per level of the wu jen.
    * The second form is a thick stream of dark, choking smoke of a rough globular area of 100 times the fire source, which obscures vision beyond 2 feet.