Quote Originally Posted by Peelee View Post
New theory: Eric died when Eugene was trying to research a new spell, Backfire Shield.
Hmm....

Spoiler: Backfire Shield
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Backfire Shield

Abjuration

Level: Sor/Wiz 3
Components: M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You; see text
Duration: 1 round/level

The whiff of carbolic soap is a good sign, right?

If you fail a Reflex saving throw against an effect that normally deals half damage on a successful save, you and a random adjacent ally both take half damage instead. If you have no adjacent ally, you take full damage normally.

This only works on hit point damage, other aspects of the effect work on you (and only you) normally. Your ally takes damage of the same type as you took, and any resistance/immunity/vulnerability applies as normal (though they do not get a saving throw of their own).

While this spell is active, you automatically fail saving throws against effects with the Fire descriptor.

Material Component: A bit of coal tar.