Fire Burst
(Alteration, Evocation)

Range:  0
Components:  V, S, M
Duration:  24 hours
Casting Time:  1 round
Area of Effect:  One creature
Saving Throw:  1/2

This spell, when cast brings into being a protection field one foot distant from the caster's body. When detonated, the spell produces a burst of flame around the caster's body, doing 1d4+1 points of flame damage for every two levels of the caster (cf. magic missile). The flame does not affect the caster, his items, or any creatures immune to fire. The spell is set off when something attempts to cover up, engulf, grapple, or other wise engage the caster in unarmed combat (eg., green slime falling on the caster). The spell is not set off by weapon attacks, be they melee or ranged, nor is it set off by other spells (although it can, of course, be dispelled or end up in an anti-magic shell or the like). All damage from the fire burst is resolved before the grappling attack is made, and the target gets a saving throw for half damage. The material component is a pinch of sulphur.

