Fireball

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Fireball
U7fball.gif
Ultima IX
Incantation: Vas Flam Hur
Reagents: BP, BM, MR, SA
Circle: 3rd
Ultima Underworld II
Incantation: Por Flam
Circle: 5th
Ultima VII
Name: Fire Blast
Incantation: Vas Flam
Reagents: BP, SA
Circle: 2nd
Ultima Underworld
Incantation: Por Flam
Circle: 5th
Ultima VI
Incantation: Por Flam
Reagents: BP, SA
Circle: 3rd
Ultima V
Name: Vas Flam
Reagents: BP, SA
Circle: 3rd
Ultima IV
Incantation: enemy's name
Reagents: BP, SA
Mana: 15
The Forge of Virtue
Incantation: Vas Flam
Reagents: unknown
Circle: unknown

Fireball – also known as Fire Blast – is one of the most popular attack spells available.

Spell Description[edit]

While defensive magic is good and just in its own way, sometimes more direct action from the magic user is required. That is when a spell such as Fireball comes into play. Casting it hurls a flaming sphere of destruction at the caster's foes, setting them ablaze. Lesser foes are instantly killed, while stronger ones sustain serious injuries. Its low requirements make it a favorite attack spell of mages.

Explosion is a stronger version of this spell, while Cold Blast is its exact opposite. Both have their strengths, but do not manage to be as economical as the common Fireball.

History[edit]

Fireballs as a magical attack weapon proved to be quite popular very early on. During last Age of Darkness in Ultima III the spell Fulgar was that day's version of the Fireball, while the spell Noxum could even attack multiple enemies. With the establishment of Britannia, the spell was streamlined and eventually adapted to the the final system of magic in eight circles.

While fireball attacks were unknown on the Serpent Isle with it connection to cold attacks, on Pagan the sorcerers had the spell Flame Bolt, which in essence was their version of the Fireball spell.

Lore[edit]

Fireball.jpg
When beset upon by evil, the spellcaster has many offensive tools at his or her disposal. We have discussed some of the indirect magics such as Energy Fields, but there are times when more direct action is required. There is a class of missile spells for such occasions, of which the Fireball spell is the intermediate one. All such spells call for the use of the precious Black Pearl for its power in the launching of projectiles. In the case of the Fireball, Sulphurous Ash is also called for in equal proportion, for its powers of fire-flash are integral to the creation of flaming missiles. Speak the name of your enemy when the spell is cast and your aim shall be unerring and your enemy will be devastated by the flames of the magical fires.
Vas Flam effectively gathers a great ball of flame, which may then be hurled at a foe. A simple spell, the great advantage of Vas Flam is that, aimed accurately, it will surely hit its mark and, just as surely, inflict damage.
Combine common sulphurous ash and a single black pearl over a hot flame. When the ash has adhered well to the pearl, remove it and store it until needed. Cast the talisman at a foe while uttering “Vas Flam” and a great flaming ball will smite him.
Hurls a mighty flaming missile at your opponent.
Hurls a mighty flaming missile at your opponent.
– from Player’s Guide (Ultima Underworld)
This spell causes great jets of flame to burst forth from the mage and strike his target.
This spell hurls a flaming missile at an opponent.
– from Player’s Guide (Ultima Underworld II)
U9-Fireball.png
Drawn from roiling fires deep beneath the soil, the energy of a Fireball spell can incinerate an unprotected foe. The primal magic herein requires no special aptitude to master. However, centuries of misbegotten campaigns have weeded many of those most susceptible to it.
– from Spellbook (Ultima IX)

Ultima Saga[edit]


This article or section is about the Ultima Saga series of novels. The information within may not apply to Ultima V or other Ultima games.


In Lynn Abbey's Ultima Saga, the sorceress Meraise carries a staff that burns with a Vas Flam spell, illuminating the ground in front of her but only partially showing her face.[1]

Trivia[edit]

  • Using more black pearl than needed in Ultima IX can cause the spellbook of the mage to incinerate, as the mage Genser had learned the hard way at one time during his apprenticeship.

Gallery[edit]

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Abbey, Lynn. The Forge of Virtue. Questar Fantasy: 1991. Page 20.
Ultima IV Spells
AwakenBlinkCureDispelEnergy FieldFireballGate TravelHealIceballJinxKillLightMagic MissileNegateOpenProtectionQuicknessResurrectSleepTremorUndeadViewWind ChangeXitYZ
Ultima V Spells
1st Circle An NoxAn YlemAn ZuGrav PorIn LorMani
2nd Circle An SanctAn Xen CorpIn WisIn Xen ManiKal XenRel Hur
3rd Circle In Flam GravIn Nox GravIn PorIn Zu GravVas FlamVas Lor
4th Circle An GravDes PorIn SanctIn Sanct GravUus PorWis Quas
5th Circle An Ex PorIn Bet XenIn Ex PorIn ZuRel TymVas Mani
6th Circle An Xen ExIn AnIn Vas Por YlemQuas An WisRel Xen BetWis An Ylem
7th Circle In Nox HurIn Quas CorpIn Quas WisIn Quas XenSanct LorXen Corp
8th Circle An TymIn Flam HurIn Mani CorpIn Vas Grav CorpKal Xen CorpVas Rel Por
Ultima VI Spells
1st Circle Create FoodDetect MagicDetect TrapDispel MagicDouseHarmHealHelpIgniteLight
2nd Circle InfravisionMagic ArrowPoisonReappearSleepTelekinesisTrapUnlock MagicUntrapVanish
3rd Circle CurseDispel FieldFireballGreat LightMagic LockMass AwakenMass SleepPeerProtectionRepel Undead
4th Circle AnimateConjureDisableFire FieldGreat HealLocateMass DispelPoison FieldSleep FieldWind Change
5th Circle Energy FieldExplosionInsect SwarmInvisibilityLightningParalyzePickpocketRevealSeanceX-Ray
6th Circle CharmCloneConfuseFlame WindHail StormMass ProtectNegate MagicPoison WindReplicateWeb
7th Circle Chain BoltEnchantEnergy WindFearGate TravelKillMass CurseMass InvisibilityWing StrikeWizard Eye
8th Circle ArmageddonDeath WindEclipseMass CharmMass KillResurrectSlimeSummonTime StopTremor
Ultima Underworld Spells
1st Circle Create FoodLightLocateMagic ArrowResist BlowsStealth
2nd Circle Cause FearDetect MonsterJumpLesser HealRune of WardingSlow Fall
3rd Circle ConcealLightningNight VisionSpeedStrengthen DoorWater Walk
4th Circle HealLevitatePoisonRemove TrapResist Fire
5th Circle Cure PoisonFireballMissile ProtectionName EnchantmentOpenSmite Undead
6th Circle DaylightGate TravelGreater HealParalyzeSheet LightningTelekinesis
7th Circle AllyConfusionFlyInvisibilityReveal
8th Circle ArmageddonFlame WindFreeze TimeIron FleshRoaming SightTremor
Ultima VII Spells
Linear AwakenDouseFireworksGlimmerHelpIgniteThunderWeather
1st Circle Awaken AllCreate FoodCureDetect TrapGreat DouseGreat IgniteLightLocate
2nd Circle Destroy TrapEnchantFire BlastGreat LightMass CureProtectionTelekinesisWizard Eye
3rd Circle CurseHealParalyzePeerPoisonProtect AllSleepSwarm
4th Circle ConjureLightningMarkMass CurseRecallRevealSeanceUnlock Magic
5th Circle CharmDanceDispel FieldExplosionFire FieldGreat HealInvisibilityMass Sleep
6th Circle Cause FearCloneFire RingFlame StrikeMagic StormPoison FieldSleep FieldTremor
7th Circle Create GoldDeath BoltDelayed BlastEnergy FieldEnergy MistMass CharmMass MightRestoration
8th Circle ArmageddonDeath VortexInvisibility AllMass DeathResurrectSummonSwordstrikeTime Stop
Ultima Underworld II Spells
1st Circle BounceCreate FoodDetect TrapLightLocateLuckMagic ArrowResist Blows
2nd Circle Cause FearDeadly SeekerJumpLesser HealFlame RuneSlow Fall
3rd Circle BleedingCure PoisonDispel RuneLightningNegate HungerNight VisionRepel UndeadSpeedValorWater Walk
4th Circle FlameproofFrostHealMissile ProtectionPoison WeaponRemove TrapStudy MonsterThick Skin
5th Circle FireballLevitateMendingName EnchantmentOpenParalysis RuneSmite UndeadTelekinesis
6th Circle CharmDaylightGate TravelGreater HealInvisibilityMap AreaParalyzeSheet Lightning
7th Circle Enchant ItemMagic SatelliteMass ConfusionPortalRevealShockwave
8th Circle ArmageddonFlame WindFlyFreeze TimeIron FleshRestorationRoaming SightSmite Foe
Ultima IX Spells
Linear StoneGustIgniteDouse
1st Circle Create ReagentsLightning BoltLightLight Heal
2nd Circle Crystal BarrierEthereal SightInfernal ArmorCure
3rd Circle CharmTelekinesisFireballFog
4th Circle Time StopWizard EyeDayFreeze
5th Circle Summon UndeadLevitateBolt of FlameFull Heal
6th Circle MeteoriteInvisibilityRing of FireMana Breath
7th Circle DeathTeleportSummon DemonFrost Storm
8th Circle EarthquakeLightning StormInfernoSearing Rain
Spells of the Ultima Saga
Linear dust-be-gonehandfirehearthfiremother's-voicerust-proofsoothing handsstir-the-pot
1st Circle An NoxAn ZuIn LorMani
2nd Circle Rel Hur
3rd Circle Kal Wis Por ManiVas FlamVas Lor
4th Circle Des PorIn Sanct
5th Circle Rel TymVas Tym Sanct Grav
6th Circle An Xen ExDes Por VasIn Vas Sanct
7th Circle Sanct LorXen Corp
8th Circle An TymIn Mani CorpVas CorpVas Rel Por
Spellweaving Arcane StairwayTime Wall
Dark Magic EnthrallScryNightmareSummon GazerCreate MiasmaCall Shadowlord