Bolt's Hell Hail
(Evocation)

Range:  10 yards per level
Components:  V, S
Duration:  Special
Casting Time:  7
Area of Effect:  40-foot square
Saving Throw:  None

Hell hail is a fire version of ice storm with some implementation differences. As a storm, it has the same area of effect as an ice storm, but causes only 3d8 for damage. The storm is largish hailstones that drop from above. On impact, they burst in a fiery flash of heat and energy. It will ignite flammable materials failing their saving throws and break fragile containers on impact, perhaps igniting the contents. The storm is unlikely to burn a table, stout chairs, large logs, leather objects and the like, The storm doesn't last long enough to light them. In this form, its duration is instantaneous.
When cast as a sheet of flames, its effect is quite different. While the spell has a longer duration in this mode (1 round per level of the caster), it has only one initial flash of heat and power, so thin hair, very dry and thin paper or other fiery substances will be consumed. Scrolls, books and the like will not be harmed unless they are unrolled, open, in use or in other vulnerable circumstances. Even then, only the exposed areas will suffer the damage. Creatures are not normally harmed though small insects may be consumed in the initial flash. The area radiates heat, but not enough to cause damage, though passing through will be uncomfortable. The fires rage 7 feet high in the area for the duration of the spell and may block vision. The crackling of the flames makes communication across the field difficult if not impossible. Low Intelligence creatures won't enter the burning area and will try to flee from the fire zone immediately. Standard Intelligence creatures must make a saving throw versus paralysation to willingly enter the area. High Intelligence creatures may enter and exit the area freely.

