Patronus Charm

Patronus Charm

"Expecto Patronum" (ex-PEK-toh pa-TROH-num)

Conjuring • Light • Ward

This powerful defensive charm conjures a spirit guardian, called a "Patronus." Of those that can manage this difficult spell, most can only produce a non-corporeal Patronus, which manifests as a shapeless burst of ethereal vapor. A rare few can produce a corporeal Patronus, in which the spirit guardian's true form is revealed in the shape of an animal that reflects the caster's true self. To conjure a Patronus, the caster must call upon a happy memory. Those suffering under severe sadness, fear, or other negative emotional influences find the charm harder to cast (a -2 penalty is appropriate in such circumstances). Furthermore, only those who are "pure of heart" can use the Patronus Charm. Simply put, Dark wizards (those with the Dark Corruption quirk) cannot produce a Patronus, and may face dire consequences if they attempt to. Even those who have merely used Dark magic, but are otherwise not considered Dark wizards, find the spell challenging (-4 to any wizard that has used a Dark spell within the last month). The Patronus serves primarily as a defense against certain Dark creatures, including Dementors, Lethifolds, and Vampires. This is the extent of what a non-corporeal Patronus can do. A corporeal Patronus is even more potent against those Dark creatures, actively fighting against them and chasing them away. The caster can also mentally command a corporeal Patronus. (Note: The "recorded voice message" trick seen in the books and films was developed by Albus Dumbledore specifically for the Order of the Phoenix, and is not considered possible with this version of the spell.)

Skill/Roll: Dark Defense 7 / +roll Dark Defense-3	Casting Time: One round
Training: Private study (50 Cookies; four months)	Duration: Varies with success level.

Lore Threshold: Wizard Lore 5

• Embarrassing Failure: A crushing personal defeat, as negative emotions flood in, inflicting a -2 on any further attempts to cast the Patronus Charm this scene.
• Failure: Fizzle. No effect.

• Success: A non-corporeal Patronus is produced, lasting for a single round (instantaneous duration). All vulnerable Dark creatures within 10 feet of the caster must achieve a Good Success or better on a Body + Presence roll, or be repelled.
• Good Success: A non-corporeal Patronus is produced, lasting while the caster concentrates on the spell (taking no other action and moving at no more than a walking pace), up to a maximum of three rounds. All vulnerable Dark creatures within 30 feet of the caster must achieve a Great Success or better on a Body + Presence roll, or be repelled. Those that get a Failure or worse are banished from the scene.
• Great Success: A corporeal Patronus is produced, lasting up to three rounds independently of the caster, or for as long as the caster concentrates on the spell (taking no other action and moving at no more than a walking pace). All vulnerable Dark creatures within 50 feet of the caster must achieve an Amazing Success or better on a Body + Presence roll, or be repelled. Those that get a Success or worse are banished from the scene.
• Amazing Success: A corporeal Patronus is produced, lasting for the remainder of the scene. All vulnerable Dark creatures in the scene are repelled, and must achieve a Great Success or better on a Body + Presence roll, or be banished from the scene.