Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

RealmsHelp wrote:Mastery of Shaping: The archmage can alter area and effect spells that use the following categories: burst, cone, cylinder, emanation, or spread.

The alteration consists of creating spaces within the spell's area or effect that are not subject to the spell. The minimum dimension for these spaces is a 3 foot cube. For example the archmage could cast a fireball and leave a hole where his ally stands, preventing any fire damage. Furthermore, any shapeable (S) spells have a minimum dimension of 5 feet, instead of 10 feet. This ability costs one 6th-level spell slot.

Pimple wrote:To be honest I have no idea what would constitute an emanation or spread spell?

Burst, Emanation, or Spread

Most spells that affect an area function as a burst, an emanation, or a spread. In each case, you select the spell’s point of origin and measure its effect from that point.

A burst spell affects whatever it catches in its area, even including creatures that you can’t see. It can’t affect creatures with total cover from its point of origin (in other words, its effects don’t extend around corners). The default shape for a burst effect is a sphere, but some burst spells are specifically described as cone-shaped. A burst’s area defines how far from the point of origin the spell’s effect extends.

An emanation spell functions like a burst spell, except that the effect continues to radiate from the point of origin for the duration of the spell. Most emanations are cones or spheres.

A spread spell spreads out like a burst but can turn corners. You select the point of origin, and the spell spreads out a given distance in all directions. Figure the area the spell effect fills by taking into account any turns the spell effect takes.