Basic protective magic is common to many of the magical schools. The balance magic version of the Shield spell employs magic to help move a caster out of the path of an incoming physical attack. It is ineffective against any energy-based attacks.
Since this spell physically moves a person’s body, it is possible to use it to gain combat advantages. Attia, for instance, often starts a somersault or other acrobatic maneuver with the full expectation that she won’t be fast enough, without magic, to avoid an opponent’s attack. She then uses her balance Shield spell to draw her, and her weapon, through the maneuver safely.
Balance