Minor Ward

Required	Seed: Ward 1
Range	Touch
Area	1 Target
Duration	1 Hour
Casting	Verbal, Somatic
Cast Action	Standard
Cost	1 Mana
Push	+1 non-lethal damage prevented per Push
Effect	Casting this spell conjures an invisible, skintight magical barrier around the target that absorbs Rank points of non-lethal damage after an incoming attack is successful. This barrier acts like temporary Vigor that is absorbed before damage is applied, however, hitting a Ward will still trigger "on hit" effects, such as Fire Armor. When a Ward has expended all of its protective points, it disappears in a bright flash. Minor Ward may not prevent damage from sorcerous Backlash. Multiple Wards cannot be placed on the same target, and a higher Ranked Ward spell will immediately overwrite a lower one. The caster may only maintain Wards on a number of targets equal to her Rank.