A snippet from the book "Enchantment and curses" at the MyleHatsu University of Arcana and Artificery (MHUAA)
Written by Pycena Do O Grant
A rather interesting application of the concepts outlined in the previous chapter: "Enchantment: Properties of common imbuements" is the creation of barriers, and other means of spreading out the enchantment over a wider area. Several imbuements can form the basis of a barries, and this chapter will attempt to outline the most practical combinations of imbuements and ingredients.
The basics:
As outlined in the previous chapter, all barriers should be formed using books, with each holding all the imbuements needed for the construction of a barrier. A failure to do so will produce several unrelated effects rather than a single, unified one.
As with all enchantment, all barriers are formed using a magic circle. While any shape is possible, circles are the best choice since their shape naturally guides mana through them, guiding the flows of magic when the spell is cast.
I would advise the reader to not attempt to make the barrier too large and/or complicated unless it is absolutely necessary. Barriers require a lot of mana to maintain the spell, and without a steady source or constant upkeep the barrier will eventually collapse, violently so if the spell was particularly complex. On the other hand, tiny barriers can hold complex enchantments quite well, making them quite useful in trinkets, tools, and baubles.
Respiration: This imbuement, when purified using sage to remove its affinity to water magics, forms the basis for most common barriers. A barrier comprised of this imbuement forms a thin veil, barely perceptible. A weaker imbuement will produce a thin veil that's less reliable but easier to upkeep and maintain, while a stronger imbuement will produce a thicker veil, which will react more with other ingredients and imbuements.
The veil itself has no properties of its own. It may sway from the occasional touch or spell but it does not interact with the physical world in any significant way.
Fire aspect: The purified version of this imbuement creates an aura which travels outwards, applying any other effects inside itself. The effect, however, loses potency as it travels from the center of the barrier, making it necessary in most scenarios to contain the effect using a magical or physical barrier. The spell does not penetrate physical surfaces well, its effect largely confined to the air or liquid around it.
Frost walker: In contrast, the purified version of frost walker coats any physical or magical surface it comes into contact with. When combined with the fire aspect the aura travels both through air and most physical barriers with ease, except for a few materials with dense structures that have less flaws.
Aqua affinity: The mysterious nature of this imbuement is revealed when one attempts to use it to construct a barrier. The spell naturally takes shape according to the flow of leylines, both in the world, in magical items, and in people. This makes the imbuement incredibly useful in temporary abjurative wards of various kinds.
Elemental rings: Rings attuned to a primary or a secondary element are quite a common sight in Templehelm. These rings are a useful conduit for channeling elemental magics, and their attuned mana can produce various elemental effects in the barrier produced. Be it a shield of brambles, a coating of fire or a veil of darkness, each can be useful in the right situation. I'd advise the reader, however, to ensure the precision of such a barrier lest they succumb to the hostile elemental forces.
Planeswalker satchel cores: Most useful ingredient when the barrier needs to cover a large area, but the circle is impractical or otherwise impossible to construct so. Overusing this item can lead to a severe decrease in efficiency, so be wary.
With the basics now out of the way, I'd like to entice you, the reader, to consider these common barriers and and their applications:
Protection/Respiration: This combination of imbuements produces a barrier allows the passage of earthly objects, but repels spells and magics. Its simplicity makes it a great choice for protecting cities, villages, and other locations from hostile and remote spells. One may even consider a multi-layer barrier, each using a different protection enchantment to protect against a variety of spells in times of strife.
Unbreaking/Respiration: Complete opposite of the previous combination, allowing magic and mana to pass while blocking anything physical from passing through.
Protection/Unbreaking/Respiration: A combined barrier, most useful in emergencies. The effects of both imbuements are reinforced and amplified, but the inconveniece of having to stay in one confined area makes the usage of such a barrier nonviable when passage to and from the area within the barrier is needed.
Protection/Respiration + Fire aspect/?: A combined barrier, producing an area effect contained neatly in a confined space. Effects can range from protective wards, to efficient evocations, to useful utilities such as a mist that blocks vision.
Respiration/Frost Walker/Aqua affinity/Protection: A complex ward, coating a group of beings nearby in protective energies. The lack of elemental affinity makes it universal, if a bit weak.
Respiration/Frost Walker/Aqua affinity/Protection/Unbreaking/?: Basis for an elemental ward. Great skill is required to achieve the desired effect, but if the usage of the material components is sufficiently creative, the ward may bolster the protection of regularly armored soldiers to that of steel-clad knights.