Lightning Strike

The power of a storm is at the fingertips of all primal sages, and this spell is perhaps one of the most adrenaline-inducing. There's nothing like calling down a blast of lightning that shakes the earth and lights up the sky. Enemies beware - your only blindspot isn't behind you.

Effect

The caster calls forth a small lightning bolt to strike the target from the sky. It lasts only a moment and is intended as a quick and powerful strike as opposed to an overwhelming, continuous spell to tear down defenses. It's particularly useful against opponents with front-facing defenses, as it can hit them from above and cause them to lose concentration on spells or drop their weapons. If the strike hits, there's a high chance that it will paralyze the target momentarily, and a small chance to paralyze them for an extended amount of time. The spell is sure to disorient the target, at least.

Side/Secondary Effects

The easiest place to go wrong when casting this spell is the caster moving their eyes away from the intended target at the last moment. Wherever they're focusing on, the bolt will follow. This can cause the spell to miss the enemy and instead hit allies or anything in the surrounding area.
If the caster completely fails the spell, a small explosion of energy will strike from in front of them and harm anyone nearby without discrimination. This disorients anyone affected and may paralyze the caster, or at least paralyze their magic temporarily. Though if a young and inexperienced sage were to attempt this spell without proper instruction or skill, they may ruin their ability to use magic in the future, or they may even fry their nerves, thus rendering them paralyzed for life.

Manifestation

Lightning spells typically have a blue tinge to them, and crackle with other-worldly energy. A clap of thunder comes moments after this spell is cast, however it's typically not quite as deafening as a natural bolt of lightning might produce. (Unless the strike happens to be abnormally large and powerful).

Related School

Primal

Effect Duration

Instantaneous

Range

Line of sight

Applied Restriction

A storm or storm-like conditions aren't needed to perform this spell (so the lightning strike can come from seemingly nowhere), however, as with all similar spells, if a storm is raging then the spell becomes much stronger and easier to cast.