Molten Ground
(Alteration)

Range:  20 feet
Components:  V, S, M
Duration:  1 round per level
Casting Time:  1 round
Area of Effect:  2-foot per level radius circle
Saving Throw:  None

This spell causes an area of the earth to bubble up molten lava in its area of effect. After the wizard spends one round casting, using up the material components of sulphur and lava rock, the spell begins. In the first round the ground tremors slightly, and those not wearing heavy feet covering such as metal boots can feel a slight warmth.
In the second round of the spell the heat becomes very pronounced, and will ignite paper, cloth, and dry vegetation touching the ground. If the people in the area of effect did not announce that they were moving in this round, they are going to be injured.
In the third round the ground becomes molten lava, wooden furniture bursts into flames, and metals with low melting points start to soften. Anyone in the area of effect takes 3d6 points of damage, 2d6 this round only if wearing thick shoes. In each additional round spent in the area of effect a person takes 3d6 points of damage, and any items carried by the person must safe versus fire or be destroyed.
The intense heat of the lava may cause structural damage to walls that are near or in the area of effect. Wooden walls will be destroyed by fire just like wooden furniture. Protection from Fire will protect a person but not his items from this spell. Note that lava rock is hard to obtain in most medieval settings, and that the lava generated by this spell will not work as a component for later casting (it's marked by magic).

