Darkray's Absorbing Cloak
(Abjuration, Evocation)

Range:  0
Components:  V, S, M
Duration:  Special
Casting Time:  1 round
Area of Effect:  The caster
Saving Throw:  None

When a wizard casts this spell, he is surrounded by an invisible aura, like a cloak, that absorbs and stores magical energy in the form of spell levels. Once cast, the cloak lasts until it absorbs its maximum (see below). One such cloak can absorb up to half the caster's level (round down) in wizard spell levels. The spells absorbed must be cast directly at the caster. Area effect spells (like fireball and cloudkill) cannot be absorbed. If a spell cannot be totally absorbed, the cloak has no effect on it.
When the cloak absorbs its maximum, it remains active for another round. During this time, the wizard can enhance the effects of a single other spell using the previously stored energy: he can cast one spell as if he was one level higher than he actually is, per two full spell levels absorbed. If the wizard chooses not to use the stored energy, it is released the following round as a harmless warm light around him.
Example: an 8th-level wizard casts absorbing cloak; he can absorb up to 4 spell levels. Some time later, he is hit with a magic missile (+1) and a lightning bolt (+3), all absorbed. At the same round, another magic missile hits, but as the cloak is full, damage is normal. In the following round, the wizard decides to use the stored energy to enhance his own lightning bolt. The bolt will inflict 10d6 points of damage instead of 8d6 HP, with appropriate adjustments to range and area of effect.
The use of true seeing or similar magic will reveal the presence of the protective aura, in the form of a shadow cloak worn by the caster.
The material component of the spell is a silver or gold piece, consumed in the casting. The spell is not cumulative with itself.

