Arcane Wardens (Homebrew)

You summon forth 3 Motes of Light. Each mote is sent to flicker and hover above the head of your choice of 3 friendly creatures. Each mote emits a 5 foot radius of Dim Light (this marks the area of effect for the spells zone of damage).

When you cast this spell, you can designate any number of creatures to be unaffected. An affected creature must make a Wisdom Saving Throw when it first enters the area on its turn, or if it starts its turn in the area. On a failed save, the creature will take 2d6 Psychic Damage. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th or higher, you create an additional mote for each spell slot above 3rd level.

For every 2nd spell slot above 3rd, the damage increases by 1d6. (i.e. 5th Level Spell Slot will create 5 motes, which each deal 3d6 damage to any affected creature caught in the 10 foot radius).

Addendum. There are benefits for placing more than 1 mote above a single target. However there are no additional benefits beyond 3 motes above a single target.

• 2 Motes : The Area of Effect, and range of the Dim Light will increase to a 10 foot Radius.
  
  
• 3 Motes : The Area of Effect, and range of the Dim Light will increase to a 15 foot radius.
                    Damage die type will increase to d8.
                    Area of effect becomes difficult terrain if the target fails their save.

The Homebrew title is just for relevancy within my own campaigns, for the DM to decide whether or not to allow the spell.