Symbol of Protection

When you cast this spell, you inscribe a symbol harmful to other creatures, either on a surface (such as a table, floor, or wall) or inside an object that can be closed to hide it (such as a book, a scroll, or a treasure chest). If you choose a surface, the symbol can cover a surface area no larger than 10 feet in diameter. If you choose an object, it must remain in the same place; if it’s moved more than 10 feet from where the spell was cast, the symbol is broken and the spell ends without being triggered.

The symbol is nearly invisible, requiring an Investigation check against the DC to avoid your spell in order to find it.

You decide what activates the symbol when you cast the spell. For symbols inscribed on a surface, the most typical triggers include touching or stepping on the symbol, removing another object covering it, approaching within a certain distance of it, or manipulating an object that contains it. For those inscribed inside something, the conditions can be opening the object, approaching within a certain distance, or seeing/reading the symbol. Once a symbol is activated, this spell ends.

You can refine the trigger so that the spell is activated only under certain circumstances or according to physical characteristics (such as height or weight), physical type (for example, the protection could be programmed to affect vastaya or yordles). You can also specify conditions that don’t trigger the symbol, such as saying a keyword.

When you inscribe the symbol, choose explosive runes or an arcane symbol.

Explosive Runes. When triggered, the rune explodes with mystical energy in a 20-foot sphere centered on the symbol. The sphere spreads around corners. Each creature in the area must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, it takes 5d8 acid, lightning, cold, fire, or thunder damage (your choice when you cast the spell), or half as much on a success.

Arcane Symbol. You can store a prepared spell of 3rd circle or lower alongside the symbol, casting this spell as part of its creation. It must designate a target or an area. The spell cast this way has no immediate effect. It takes effect when the symbol is triggered. If the spell has a target, whoever triggered the symbol is struck. If it’s an area spell, its center is that creature. If the spell summons hostile creatures or creates harmful objects or traps, they appear as close as possible to the intruder and attack it. If the spell requires concentration, it lasts until the end of its full duration.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell by spending Mana points equal to a 4th-level spell or higher, the damage from an explosive runes symbol increases by 1d8 for each level above 3rd. When cast as a 5th-level spell or higher, the damage dealt becomes magical. If you create an arcane symbol, you can store any spell up to the same level as the spell slot used for the symbol of protection.