New Spheres (TOM)

In addition to the new types of clerical magic, a number of new spheres are introduced in Tome of Magic. These spheres help to round out and complete the priest class.
==Chaos==
Most of the spells in the Sphere of Chaos give the spellcaster the ability to add randomness and confusion to the world around him. Some of the spells change the probability of the outcomes of events, while others offer protection against Lawful influences.
Many of the spells of this sphere are tricky; while they usually help the spellcaster, there are times when the spell might harm the priest. Such is the way of Chaos—anyone who draws upon chaotic energy knows that nothing is certain, not even the influences of his god.
Powers that operate in this sphere are deities of mischief, trickery, ill luck, and those gods devoted to the power of the individual.
==Law==
The Sphere of Law is based on two principles. The first is that the group is more powerful than the sum of the individuals who make up the group. The second is that the individual must obey established rules whether or not he personally thinks they are good rules. In both cases, the idea of order is exploited, sometimes beneficially, sometimes harmfully.
The beneficial spells of the Sphere of Law draw upon the first principle. Such spells coordinate the power of a group of characters. By using spells of this sphere, individuals who work closely together can become focused into a strong, united force.
The harmful spells of the sphere draw upon the second principle; they take the concept of law one step too far and prevent the individual from operating with a free will. These spells limit a person's choices and obliterate spontaneity and individual thought and action. Whereas beneficial spells draw a group together, harmful spells isolate the individual or even subjugate him to the commands of another person.
Deities of rulership, kingship, community, and culture are likely to act in this sphere.
==Numbers==
The Sphere of Numbers revolves around the concept that numbers and mathematical relationships between numbers represent the "core truths" of reality or the "secrets of the universe." By studying numbers and their relationships, some scholars believe they can learn truths otherwise inaccessible; by manipulating numbers, they believe they can actually alter the fabric of reality.
This sphere uses spells that allow a priest to comprehend and use the mysteries of numbers. Since many of these spells are incredibly intricate and depend on very esoteric concepts in mathematics and hypermathematics, only priests with relatively high intelligence (13 or higher) are allowed access to these spells.
Spells from this sphere are most likely to be granted by deities of knowledge (particularly arcane or hidden knowledge).
Many of the philosophies central to this sphere sound unusual, illogical, or even insane—things one might expect to hear from the lips of a senile "prophet" who has discovered the "truth of All" in the pseudomathematical scratchings he makes in his notebooks. There are many cranks and charlatans claiming to predict the future who are often mistaken for true practitioners of this sphere and vice versa. A priest who is granted spells from the Sphere of Numbers may sound like a crank when he claims the birth dates of kings predict the date of Doomsday, but there is one fundamental difference between him and the charlatan: The priest's spells work.
==Thought==
The Sphere of Thought is rooted in the philosophy of mentation and the effects of mental acts and structures on reality. Priests of this sphere believe that the common conception of the thought (i.e., a more-or-less objective analysis of sensory input which is in turn an objective perception of reality) is fallacious and misleading. These philosophers maintain that thought is and must be tied closely to reality. In effect, they believe that the thinker, the thought, and the subject of that thought somehow interact. Thus, thinking about an object or condition can sometimes cause a physical change in that object or condition.
Philosophers of this sphere also believe that once a thought has been created ("once a thought is thought"), it exists as a "freestanding mental object." This "thought object" can sometimes be detected and manipulated.
This sphere uses spells related to these philosophical beliefs. Like the Sphere of Numbers, these spells are intricate and are based on some esoteric concepts of philosophy. It is suggested that only priests with relatively high intelligence (13 or higher) be allowed access to these spells.
Spells of this sphere are most likely to be granted by deities of thought or knowledge (especially arcane or hidden knowledge). This sphere might have as its patrons certain deities who rule and exist in the abstract realms of thought. Certain isolated philosophers discuss the existence of a deity of solipsism (the philosophical belief that only the self exists). Since such a deity would believe that it exists alone in the universe, it would have no worshipers.
==Time==
The spells of the Sphere of Time explore ways in which time can be altered and perceived. These spells manipulate the effects of the passage of time on objects and creatures and can also affect the passage of time itself. Such spells are often the province of deities associated with nature, philosophy, divination, and trickery.
==Travelers==
Spells of this sphere provide aid and comfort to travelers, making their journeys safer, easier, and more enjoyable. Deities sympathetic to the well-being of explorers, nomads, and other wayfarers often allow access to this sphere.
==War==
The Sphere of War involves magic specifically for use on the battlefield—in mass combat between large units. Usually, these spells are granted by deities of war: those Powers who believe that victory and courage in battle are the ultimate goals for mortals.
Priests who follow these gods are sometimes generals or leaders of armies. For these priests, tactical and strategic brilliance are as important as personal skill in combat.
There are significant differences between the spheres of War and Combat. Combat spells are those the priest can use in personal altercations. These spells inflict physical damage on an opponent or improve the combat abilities of the priest and several comrades. War spells, on the other hand, are concerned with aspects of large-scale battles other than direct infliction of damage: observation, identification, movement, morale, and the like. Few spells of this sphere inflict physical damage on the enemy.
Unlike spells of other spheres, most War spells can be cast only on a single military "unit." The definition of a "unit" is that which is used in the BATTLESYSTEM™ rules; however, the DM may rule that any large group of troops accompanied by PCS may qualify as a unit. Units can be infantry or cavalry (ground or airborne), human or non-human, of regular or irregular formation. In general, they must be organized as a single unit and must be at least five individuals in number. These spells are generally useless in individual combat.
Spells from the Sphere of War are designed to be used in large-scale battles like those played using BATTLESYSTEM™ rules; thus, these spells refer to concepts from this game system. Distances are referred to in linear inches (not game inches) and times are referred to in BATTLESYSTEM turns, but the DM is free to modify these statistics to suit combat outside the BATTLESYSTEM rules.
The deities who preside over the Sphere of War are careful when granting these spells to their priests. They will generally grant such spells only when a priest is about to enter battle. In the case of the more militant war gods, a priest who petitions for these spells inappropriately or misuses them may suffer dire consequences.
==Wards==
This sphere includes spells that provide protection of clearly defined areas, ranging from small objects to entire villages. The magical boundaries established by these spells prevent entry or negate the effects of specific creatures, energies, or conditions. Many of the spells take advantage of cooperative magic, involving the casting of a spell by a number of assembled priests to enchant exceptionally large areas (refer to specific spells and the sections in this book on Faith Magic, Devotional Power, and Cooperative Magic for more information). Deities of war and protection, as well as those associated with benevolence and mercy, might bestow these spells.