Not sure if this is intended or not, it says im outside, so I dont know the stipulations of these spells since its not in the helpfile.

But tried several spots in Imperial Lands and couldnt make a vortex or conglacation. Step one step south into Balator and it works. So Im thinking its the way the area was coded maybe? Havnt tested quicksand yet well, bc I dont have it. But Im sure im going to get the same results.

Some spells aren't functional in the close quarters of cities, if I remember correctly.