There are three types of mystic effects. Instantaneous effects, such as healing a fallen comrade, happen at once. Temporary effects, such as creating the illusion of a terrifying monster, last for a while before they fade. Permanent effects, such as creating a stone wall out of thin air, happen once and leave a permanent impact. The duration of an effect is given in brackets after the effect’s description.
Converting an instantaneous effect to a temporary effect
For many instantaneous effects, extending the effect to last over the course of several rounds is often possible. For example, a mystic could create a fireball that hangs in the air for a few rounds before disappearing, or continuously heal a fellow party member over the course of several rounds. An instantaneous effect extended in this way is known as a converted temporary effect.
To convert an effect in this fashion, pay the cost again for each round beyond the first the effect is to last. For example, to heal an ally for 3d6 hit points each round for three rounds, pay Heal 6 (Heal 2 times three rounds’ duration).
Note that converted temporary effects cannot be warded (see below).
Extending the duration of a temporary effect
Initially, a temporary mystic effect lasts for one unit of time—where the unit is specified in the description of the effect—be it rounds, minutes, hours, days, or some other length of time. However, as with virtually everything in the mystic system, the mystic can extend the duration of the effect by spending additional primary sphere points in the casting. For each extra point spent, the duration increases by 1d6 units of time. Converted temporary effects cannot be extended in this fashion.
The Temporal Extension feat improves a mystic’s ability to extend the duration of temporary effects.
Warding a temporary effect
One of the most powerful techniques that a mystic possesses is the ability to ward a temporary effect, preserving it for as long as desired. In some ways, a mystic’s warding ability is similar to the Permanence spell, but mystic wards are generally more flexible and less lasting than Permanence is. A temporary effect extended by warding is known as a warded effect. Converted temporary effects cannot be warded. For more information about warding a mystic effect, see the Warding section.