Arcane Spells
Here is an assortment of options for the pure arcanists across all tiers of play. That is to say, the thematic of “raw” magic, pure arcane energy that typically deals Force damage. Hopefully these conjure some ideas for either PC’s or NPC’s.
Arcane Dart
Evocation Cantrip (Sorcerer, Wizard)
Casting Time: Action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
You create a small homing dart of pure energy that races towards a target within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target with Advantage. On a hit the target takes 1d6 Force damage.
Cantrip Upgrade. The damage increases by 1d6 when you reach levels 5 (2d6), 11 (3d6) and 17 (4d6).
Flux Orb
Level 2, Evocation (Sorcerer, Wizard)
Casting Time: Bonus Action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S, M (a crystal ball)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
You create a volatile sphere of force that floats around a creature. Until the spell ends, whenever the target takes damage the orb flares and deals an extra 1d6 Force damage to it. A creature may take this bonus damage an amount of times equal to your spell casting ability modifier, resetting at the start of each of your turns.
You can use a Bonus Action on a subsequent turn of yours to cause the Orb to orbit a different target you can see.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for every two spell slot levels above 2.
Arcane Spike
Level 3, Evocation (Sorcerer, Wizard)
Casting Time: Action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S, M (a silver pin)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You slam spikes of arcane force towards creatures within range. Choose up to 5 creatures within range. Each creature must make a Strength saving throw. On a failure they take 4d6 Force damage and become Prone.
Creatures that are Prone due to this have their Speed reduced to zero until they succeed on a Strength saving throw which they make at the beginning of each of their turns.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for every spell slot level above 3.
Erase Space
Level 4, Evocation (Sorcerer, Wizard)
Casting Time: Action
Range: Self
Components: V, S, M (a diamond worth 500+ GP)
Duration: Instantaneous
You scatter shot a blast of negative space within a 30 foot Cone originating from you. Each creature in the Cone must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save they take 5d8 Force damage, and their Hit Point Maximum is reduced by the same amount, as parts of their body are erased. On a success they take half as much damage only.
This spells reduction of Hit Point Maximum lasts until the affected creature finishes a Long Rest.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for every spell slot level above 4.
Beryl Imprisonment
Level 9 Conjuration (Warlock, Wizard)
Casting Time: Action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S, M (a beryl worth 20,000+ GP, which the spell consumes)
Duration: Until Dispelled
Khurain, King of Secret’s alternate version of the Imprisonment spell.
You re-align a targets state of matter. One creature you can see within range must succeed a Charisma saving throw or become Paralysed and be transported to a harmless demiplane that is warded against teleportation and planar travel. The beryl used as the material component is left in their place, becoming charged with magic. It transforms into a Tiny figurine of the trapped creature, with an AC of 10 and 10 Hit Points.
Whilst in the demiplane the target does not need to eat, drink or breathe and they cannot be transported out unless the Wish spell is used to retrieve them. Divination spells can’t locate or perceive the imprisoned target, they instead point to the location of the beryl.
The creature can escape it’s confinement if the chunk of beryl is destroyed or Dispel Magic is cast targeting it, using a level 9 spell slot. Either way the target appears in the beryl’s space and the Paralysed condition ends. If the quartz was destroyed, the creature takes 20d8 Force damage as they emerge.
A creature that escapes this prison is immune to the effects of this spell for 1 year.