Lightning Spell

The lightning spell was the signature attack move by the Archmage.

History

The Archmage was known to have used this spell was early as 971 when he used it in magical combat against Valois and, later, to assault Culen's mountain stronghold. That same year, when the Captain of the Guard's soldiers failed to pierce the dragon Wyvern's hide with their arrows, the Archmage was able to significantly damage the dragon's eye with the now-familiar attack. ("The Draw", "The Oath", "The Pledge")

In 974, he used the spell to lash out at Angel when he believed that she failed to steal the Phoenix Gate for him. The Archmage also used the spell in 984 on Mentor when he attempted to assassinate Prince Malcolm. When Goliath, Mentor, and Angel tracked the Archmage to his lair, the Archmage used the spell again, blinding Hudson’s left eye. ("Long Way To Morning", "Vows")

Characteristics

The magic of the spell generated lightning that the Archmage fired through his fingers. How lethal the spell was is unknown, but it was capable of blasting rocks apart.

The direct effect of the spell is to ionize the particles of air between the caster and whatever he wishes to strike; thus, it does not directly affect a living being and does not need to be seen and heard to be effective; Jeffrey Robbins, for example, is as vulnerable to the Lightning spell as any other living being despite his blindness. [1]

Incantation

Latin

Fulminous venite

English

Come lightning [2]

Tidbits

When the Archmage says the spell, it sounds as if he is saying "benite" (blessed), instead of "venite" (come). The English captions on the DVD transcribe it as "benite." It is also written as "fulminus benite" in Gargoyles: Demona's Revenge, a novelization of "Long Way To Morning".

The spell reappeared on The Spectacular Spider-Man and Young Justice, other shows that Greg Weisman worked on.