Vlad’s Bouncy Ball of Warmth

A ball of fire about the size of a walnut shell erupts at an edge of your conduit. The ball can be thrown at a target (using a magic attack) within the indicated range dealing the first indicated damage (2d4). If the ball hits the target, it drains their body heat, making the ball larger as it bounces to another target within twenty feet of the previous target. The new target must make a reaction check to avoid the ball of fire. Failing the reaction check results in the target taking the second indicated damage (2d6) and the ball absorbs their body heat. The ball continues to bounce to new targets you choose (that are within twenty feet of the previous target) but only five. Each time it bounces to a new target, the damage increases to the next indicated damage, assuming the target hasn’t already been hit by this spell. If the ball misses a target, the spell ends. So, targeting five enemies would take five actions and cost twenty-five essence. Assuming all defensive rolls failed, and all the targets haven’t been previously hit with this spell, the first target takes 2d4 damage, the second 2d6, third 2d8, fourth 2d10, and the fifth takes 2d12. The spell would end after the fifth target is hit.

If the ball of fire strikes a target who has been hit, it shrinks in size and damage as there isn’t enough body heat for fuel. Therefore, if the previously hit target takes 2d10, the next target would take 2d8 assuming they failed their reaction check. If this continues, the ball of fire winks out due to lack of fuel or if five targets have been hit, whichever comes first.

The spell can't be used on undead or naturally cold targets because the fire needs body heat to work. Only the initial attack deals damage to the previously stated types of creatures.