Concentration

Spell Modifiers

Next we will be discussing spell modifiers. Now, a modifier is a word or short phrase added to the end of a spell to modify the target or effect. The Locomotion Charm, for example, can be modified by including the name of the target. We'll be looking at two spells today that have what we will call spell modifiers. Keep in mind that not all spells can be modified. The Levitation Charm, for example, is no easier regardless of what you say after you complete the incantation. Some spells have different behavior depending upon what modifier you use. As you'll see in this lesson, the Sunlight Charm and the Dancing Lights Charm are both modifications of the Wand-Lighting Charm, Lumos.

The Sunlight Charm

Incantation: Lumos Solem (‘LOO-mos so-LEM’)
Wand Movement: Single counter-clockwise loop ending with the wand pointed toward the target.
Willpower: Low to very high; determines color and intensity of light.
Concentration: High; the target of the light. Incantation: Lumos Solem (‘LOO-mos so-LEM’)

Wand Movement: Single counter-clockwise loop ending with the wand pointed toward the target.
Willpower: Low to very high; determines color and intensity of light.
Concentration: High; the target of the light.

The Sunlight Charm allows you to cast a bright beam of directed light, but the Dancing Lights spell allows you to conjure several smaller, floating lights. This experimental charm is great practice for concentrating on multiple things at once. Each orb casts about as much light as a candle. You don’t have to focus on a particular target, though you will need to mentally direct the orbs toward a particular area. Concentration is a key component of the spell.

The Dancing Lights Charm

Incantation: Lumos Numerosa (‘LOO-mos Noom-air-O-sa’)
Wand Movement: Single counter-clockwise loop, then several rapid counter-clockwise loops.
Willpower: None
Concentration: High; concentration should be maintained on all the orbs, and determines how many can be created.

The caster must concentrate upon each orb that is conjured. The number of orbs that can be conjured by the spell is limited by the caster's ability to concentrate upon them, though the most skilled caster can only maintain about a dozen at a time. Preliminary testing has determined that a First Year should be able to conjure three to five orbs at a time.