Hellfire Cloud

Alchemy DC: 31
Cost: 2,500 sp
Time to Create: 3 hours

Hellfire Clouds are dreadful bombs, giving off extreme heat and flames in a localized area. A hellfire cloud will only be set off by the touch of steel or iron, but any steel or iron will do. Each cloud covers one 5-foot square completely to a height of five feet, and will roll drift forward and roll downhill at a speed of 30 feet (6 squares) per round.

Any time it passes through a square containing any iron or steel, or any time some iron or steel contacts it, it will instantly explode, affecting all creatures within the 15 feet by 15 feet area centered on the cloud’s position at the time. Affected creatures are dealt 10d6 fire damage, with a Reflex save (DC 20 if in one of the outer 5-foot squares, or DC 30 if in the central 5-square with the cloud itself) for half damage. Furthermore, any creature within 30 feet of the cloud when it explodes, and looking in the direction of the cloud, must make a Fortitude save (DC 15) or be dazed for one round (unable to take any actions) and dazzled for 1 minute thereafter (-1 penalty to attack rolls and Perception skill checks). A creature that succeeds in its Fortitude save is unaffected by the dazing, and the duration of his bedazzlement is reduced to 1 round. Sightless creatures, as well as creatures already dazed or dazzled, are not affected by cloud’s explosion.

The only drawback with the cloud from a sorcerer’s point of view is their rather nebulous nature. It is not possible to guide them in any way once they are released – even a Prestidigitation spell or minor gust of wind will disperse a puffball rather than guide it. Each cloud simply rolls forward and downhill, continuing in the same direction it was initially pushed in, unless some other factor alters things such as terrain (clouds always take the downhill route where possible).

Hellfire clouds are rather bulky, with each one being typically confined in a large sack. Though this sack seems to weigh almost nothing, it will be very unwieldy, and carrying more than one or two clouds is difficult.

The clouds have a Defense of 10 whether it is in motion or stationary. Exploding clouds will not set off other clouds. Only iron or steel can cause an explosion.

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