Snow Screen

What is important is that you keep the screen in front of yourself. That or keep a barrier of wind around you. Otherwise, the spell could backfire and you be just as blind as your enemy.

— Master Helenia

Elemental Combinations are a powerful tool if used correctly. The Dance of Elements may bring forth near apocalyptic destruction. Or a handy spell to distract your opponent and cover your retreat. Snow Scree belongs into the later categorie.

Effect

The spell takes effect in two stages. First, the air around the caster will turn cold. Snow begins to form in the air and suddenly emerging winds will draw it toward the Mage. Circling them until a certain mass is reached the Mage will then cast his hands and arms outward in a wide motion.
What had seconds before been a clear day will turn into a blizzard in an instant. In a specific area (size depending on the amount of Mana used) the opponent's sight will be reduced to near zero while howling winds block his hearing. The technique does no damage but could be modified to include ice projectiles. In its most basic form its a technique for diversion and escape.

Requirements

A good mastery of the element of water and its sub-element ice is needed to begin learning this technique. Full-on mastery of the wind element is not a requirement. Even those Mages who only poses a weak affinity for it can use the spell. Additionally, one needs to be able to control the flow of Mana around them to regulate wind speeds and spread of the technique.
All these requirements put the required rank firmly in Mage territory, although there have been exceptions. It is not advised to attempt the technique should the opponent possess a strong affinity for wind. They would most likely be able to nullify the spell. Likewise, opponents with strong affinities for fire and/or lightning should not be engaged with this technique unless no alternative presents itself.
It is also advisable to not attempt to replicate the technique with ice. Unless your mastery of wind and ice are sufficient, accidental self-mutilation is very likely.

...
You know, your concerns about me using too much Mana may have been accurate.
Is that so? What gave you the idea? Maybe the fact that the entire forest got buried in a snow layer two meters high?

— Helenia & Yensid after his first attempt at the spell

Related Discipline

Elemental Magic
Water Magic
Ice Magic

Related Element

Water
Ice
Wind

Effect Duration

max. 2h

Range

500m

Level

Mage

Casting

• focus Mana in the Rune for Water

• spread it in a circle around you

• draw water into the air and cool it down

• while waiting focus Mana into the Rune for Wind

• focus Wind Mana into hands

• make a circular motion with hands moving towards the body

• gather forming snow until satisfactory mass is reached

• swiftly push arms forward and slightly outward

by Alexandr Leskinen