Flash Explosion

This spell is a part of the Piercing Light spell chain and is found in the Piercing Light rune stone.

There is a recklessness unique to the photomancer that those who fight alongside them learn to both respect and dread. They do not hesitate. They do not second-guess. When the Star rises within them and the battle demands something overwhelming, they answer that demand without apology, even if their allies are standing in the way. Such is plainly evident with the spell, Flash Explosion. 

Flash Explosion is not subtle. It is not precise. It is the photomancer reaching into the volatile dark symbol of their magic, The Fire, and letting it express itself in its most raw and irresponsible form: a detonation of concentrated fire-light that blooms outward from a chosen point in a blinding, destructive burst. Every target in the area, ally and enemy alike, is struck by 4d10 magic damage as the explosion tears through them without preference or mercy.

The blindness that follows is where The Fire's cruelty and The Star's protective nature begin to work against each other. Enemies caught in the blast are blinded for 1 round, their vision overwhelmed entirely. Allies however share in the photomancer's own connection to light. They are not immune to the blast, but not entirely helpless either. Any ally caught in the area may make a Normal Arcana check. Those who succeed find that the Star within the photomancer recognizes them as a friend, and will erupt from the photomancer's runic soul, shielding them from the blindness. The Star isn't able to react fast enough to protect them from The Fire's explosion, but at least they will not bear that terrible handicap. Those who fail are blinded for 1 round as normal. Anyone of the light affinity, friend or foe is immune to the blindness entirely for The Fire will not harm kindred runic souls. The photomancer, naturally, is already looking away.