Rathe's Trigger
(Conjuration)

Range:  3 yards
Components:  V, S, M
Duration:  Special
Casting Time:  1 turn
Area of Effect:  One cube foot per level maximum
Saving Throw:  Special

The trigger spell is designed as a defensive spell. When it is cast, the wizard defines a volume which must be at least half a foot in every dimension. This area begins to glow faintly. The wizard then casts another spell directly upon the trigger's area of effect. It must be touched by the wizard when applying the second spell. The glow then vanishes, but both spells remain. The second spell is held by trigger until someone enters or touches the spell's area of effect. At this time, the second spell will go off.
If it is an area effect spell (fireball or web, for example) it will be centred on the centre of the trigger area. Other considerations (the dimensions of the web, for instance) must be specified at the time of casting the second spell. Person-affecting spells (hold person or charm person, for example) will be applied to the person who triggered the spell. A saving throw is applicable only if allowed by the second spell. If the wizard is in or touching the trigger's area of effect, it will not go off. This allows the wizard to escort others safely through the trapped area.
One possible use for this spell is two triggers overlaid in a corridor, one with a fireball, and the other, placed slightly behind the first, with a wall of force. If a person enters the regions from the wrong direction, the fireball will go off, and the wall of force will instantly restrict the blast to one direction. If a person enters the regions from the other direction, the wall will trigger first and shield him from the blast. The spells will last until triggered, but if the second spell is not applied immediately, the trigger will only last one turn per level of the wizard. The material component is a black pearl of not less than 500 gp value per level of the second spell.

