Arcane Shield

Declaration: Throw up a shimmering barrier against incoming force and magic. Spell from the Abjuration school, using the glyph Wacht. Standard (self, personal, scene) difficulty. Tags defense, protection

Technique Glyph: Wacht (Form) Role: form — boundary denial Function: intercepts and denies incoming attacks School: Abjuration Expected Mana Cost: 1 tick (Standard)

Stack variant: Wacht + Anker holds the ward anchored to a spot after you leave it — one extra tick (see Magic System).

Fictional Trigger

When an attack is incoming and you need a defensive response faster than dodging.

Outcome Ladders

• 10+: the shield holds perfectly — the attack is turned aside and your position is secure.
• 7-9: the shield holds, but the impact strains it: the GM offers two — the ward shatters after one more hit, you are shoved back, or the deflection is loud and obvious.
• 6-: the barrier cracks under the blow and the attack punches through, and the GM makes a hard move.

Rubric Snapshot

• Power Envelope: 2
• Stability Profile: 2
• Doctrine Fit: 2
• Total: 6 (Approved)

Notes

The first ward taught in Abjuration. Also the baseline for the Deflect Magic reaction: once Mastered, the shield sits always ready, casts silent, and can answer as a reaction.