Let me start off by saying I would rather the spell be reviewed in other ways. However, that not likely being the case, a GREAT fix for Energy Maelstrom (and other cloud-based spells) would be to allow us to illusion the Raging Tempest (or whatever the cloud may be) with our Vortex or Maelstrom illusion so that the creatures in the room do not notice it, or rather it appears to be something benign. If necessary for balance purposes, the Illusion could drop the moment the spell starts to strike the creature(s) in the room, but by that point it should be busy enough not to be able to instantly run.

great idea.

allows us to keep the option of letting them notice it. sometimes you WANT them to run away. I do that when I want to clear rooms in preparation for leading a sunfist official out of a warcamp.

~Moredin