Illusionist Spells

Unlike clerical and druidic spells, illusionist spells (also known as Phantasmal spells in the OSRIC system) do not require any special material components. There are some illusionist spells that can be cast within the area of effect of a silence spell, since they have no verbal component.

Alter Reality

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell has the same effect as the magic user spell limited wish, but requires the creation of a phantasmal force prior to casting, which serves as a focus for the spell.

Arcane Spells, Level 1

Various

This spell enables the illusionist to memorise several first level magic user spells in place of one seventh level illusionist spell. The illusionist may substitute a number of magic user spells equal to his or her level minus ten (4 at 14th level, 5 at 15th level, etc.). The mage spells must be chosen at the same time as the Arcane Spells, Level 1 spell is memorised.

Astral Spell

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Audible Glamour

Phantasmal Illusion

Except as may be noted above, this spell functions in the same manner as the magic user spell of the same name.

Blindness

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell causes the subject to become blind, but causes no damage to the eyes themselves. The effect cannot be removed by any spell that restores physical health (such as a healing spell, cure disease, etc), but may be dispelled normally. The caster can end the condition at will.

Blur

Phantasmal Illusion

The illusionist’s outline becomes blurred, as if seen through shimmering waves of heat. In consequence, the illusionist gains a bonus of +1 against any targeted magical attack. Additionally, any opponent’s first attack against the illusionist will incur a penalty of –4, and subsequent attacks incur a penalty of –2 (after one attack, the opponent has become accustomed to the spell’s distorting effect).

Change Self

Phantasmal Illusion

By means of this spell, the illusionist changes his or her appearance into any bipedal humanoid form (although size and weight can only be altered by one foot and 50 lbs, respectively). The illusionist’s face, of course, may be changed as desired, including alterations to make him or her appear identical to an existing person.

Chaos

Phantasmal Enchantment/ Charm

This spell causes a number of creatures in the spell’s area of effect to behave strangely and unpredictably. All creatures in the spell’s area of effect become confused (see below for effect), and only illusionists, fighters, and creatures with an intelligence of 4 or lower are entitled to a saving throw at all. Those entitled to a saving throw must check each round to avoid becoming confused. Creatures that fail their saving throws (if entitled to one at all) act randomly in accordance with the following table:

Note: A creature that meanders away is not entitled to further saving throws, but will be freed from the spell’s effects after taking a full turn of movement (at normal speed) away from the caster.

Colour Spray

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

The caster fans out his or her fingers, and a sheet of unearthly-coloured light springs forth. 1d6 creatures caught within the light may be affected, and the spell can only affect 1 hit die of creatures per caster level. Creatures with HD equal to or less than the caster’s are rendered unconscious by the burst of colours. If the creature’s hit dice exceed the caster’s by 1-2, the creature is blinded for 1d4 rounds. If the creature has 3+ hit dice in excess of the caster’s, it is merely stunned for 2d4 segments. Any creature with hit dice exceeding the caster’s (and creatures or 6+ HD regardless of the caster’s level) are entitled to a saving throw.

Confusion

Phantasmal Enchantment/ Charm

This spell affects a base number of 2d8 creatures. Except as noted above, it is otherwise identical to the druidic spell of the same name.

Conjure Animals

Phantasmal Conjuration/ Summoning

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the clerical spell of the same name.

Continual Darkness

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

Except as noted above (particularly the area of effect), this spell is identical to the magic user spell darkness 15 ft radius.

Continual Light

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the clerical spell of the same name.

Dancing Lights

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Darkness

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell darkness 15 ft radius.

Deafness

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell is similar to the illusionist’s blindness spell, but causes deafness. The effect is permanent until removed by dispel magic, though it can be removed by the caster at any time.

Demi-Shadow Magic

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell allows the illusionist to “cast” a quasi-real version of any one of the following arcane spells: cloudkill, cone of cold, magic missile, fireball, lighting bolt, wall of fire, wall of ice. If a victim fails a saving throw vs spells, the illusion will function as a real version of that spell with regard to the victim. If the saving throw is successful, it will still have a lessened effect due to its quasi-real nature. The offensive spells will inflict 2 hit points per caster level, the wall spells will inflict 1d4 hit points per caster level, and the cloudkill will only kill creatures of fewer than 2 hit dice (no saving throw).

Demi-Shadow Monsters

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell creates partially-real illusory monsters in the same manner as the spell shadow monsters, but the demi-shadow monsters have 40% of normal hit points rather than 20%; if they are detected as only quasi-real, they inflict 40% of normal damage and are AC 8.

Detect Illusion

Phantasmal Divination

By means of this spell, the caster sees any illusion for what it truly is. By touching an illusion, the caster can make its true form visible to any observer.

Detect Invisibility

Phantasmal Divination

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Detect Magic

Phantasmal Divination

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the clerical spell of the same name.

Dispel Exhaustion

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell creates a powerful illusion of physical health. Recipients “gain” 50% of any hit points that have been lost, and function for all intents and purposes as if these hit points are real. The illusory hit points are the first to be subtracted if the character sustains damage. At the end of the spell’s duration, the remaining illusory hit points are lost. Additionally, any character under the influence of this spell can move (but not attack) at double the normal speed.

Dispel Illusion

Phantasmal Abjuration

This spell automatically dispels phantasmal forces cast by non-illusionists. All other illusion spells are treated as if this spell were a dispel magic (i.e., with a 50% base chance to dispel, adjusted up or down by 2% or 5% respectively, based on relative caster levels).

Emotion

Phantasmal Enchantment/ Charm

By casting this spell, the illusionist is able to instil others with one of four powerful emotions, each with a different effect, as described below:

Fear: If the illusionist chooses to instil fear, the spell’s effect is similar to that of the fear spell, but with a –2 penalty applied to saving throws.

Hate: If the illusionist instils hate, the targets gain a +2 to saving throws, attacks, and damage.

Hopelessness: The illusionist causes despair in the target creatures, who will wander sadly away or surrender in the face of a challenge such as a combat.

Rage: Creatures affected by rage attack at +1, gain a damage bonus of +3, and gain a bonus of 5 temporary hit points. Temporary hit points are lost first if the creature incurs damage. The affected creature will not willingly retreat from any combat or any opponent.

Fear

Phantasmal Illusion

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Fog Cloud

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

This spell creates a roiling mass of gas and vapour, similar in appearance to a cloudkill spell. The fog cloud moves away from the caster at 10 ft/round. Vision into the fog is limited to 2 ft.

Gaze Reflection

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

The air immediately in front of the caster takes on a mirror’s ability to reflect gaze attacks back upon the attacker. The area does not create a reflective surface to normal sight, and it can be seen through by the caster and by other observers, except those using gaze attacks.

Hallucinatory Terrain

Phantasmal Illusion

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Hypnotic Pattern

Phantasmal Illusion

The illusionist traces magical patterns in the air with a lit stick of incense or other small light source. Any creature in the area of effect that looks at the traceries of light must make a saving throw or stay transfixed by the patterns. The spell can affect a maximum of 25 hit dice worth of creatures, and its effect persists for so long as the caster chooses to continue tracing the patterns in the air.

Hypnotism

Phantasmal Enchantment/ Charm

The gestures of this spell weave a hypnotic power into the illusionist’s words, affecting 1d6 creatures. Those not making their saving throws are subject to a suggestion made by the illusionist, identical to that made in the magic user spell suggestion (but with a much shorter duration). The only indication about whether a creature has been affected by the hypnotism is whether or not it responds to the suggestion.

Illusory Script

Phantasmal Illusion

This is an enchantment placed upon a piece of writing to guard its true contents from prying eyes. The illusionist may specify a particular person, group of people, type of person, etc., that will be allowed to read the script without risking the adverse effects of the spell. All others will perceive the script as an undecipherable language, which causes confusion (as per the spell) for 5d4 turns (minus one per hit die of the reader). An illusionist can recognize the script as illusory early enough to avoid the confusion effect, but cannot necessarily see past the illusion.

Improved Invisibility

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell functions in the same manner as the invisibility spell, but is not terminated if the invisible creature attacks.

Improved Phantasmal Force

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell produces a phantasm as described in the phantasmal force spell description. This more powerful evocation of phantasmal magic allows the caster to weave vague sounds into the illusion and to maintain the illusion even if moving at up to half his or her normal movement rate. Speech cannot be created, but clanking noises, rumblings, and other such sounds can be incorporated into the illusion. The spell also allows the illusionist to force the illusion to remain in existence for up to two rounds after he or she ceases to concentrate upon it.

Invisibility

Phantasmal Illusion

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Invisibility 10 ft Radius

Phantasmal Illusion

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Light

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the clerical spell light.

Magic Mouth

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Major Creation

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

This spell is simply a more powerful version of minor creation, allowing the caster to create objects of mineral as well as of vegetable origin.

Mass Suggestion

Phantasmal Enchantment/ Charm

This spell functions in the same manner as suggestion, but influences multiple creatures. If all of the spell’s power is concentrated upon a single creature, the spell simply functions as a powerful suggestion spell, with the saving throw made at –2.

Massmorph

Phantasmal Illusion

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Maze

Phantasmal Conjuration/ Summoning

Other than as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Minor Creation

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

With a small piece of material, the caster may use this spell to create an object made of that same material. The base material cannot be alive and must come from a plant. Thus, within the caster’s limits on the item’s volume, he or she could create a basket from a piece of straw, a door or club from a splinter of wood, a cloak from a piece of wool, etc. The item exists only for the duration of the spell.

Mirror Image

Phantasmal Illusion

Except for the duration and number of images (1d4+1), this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Misdirection

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell is cast upon an object or creature to mislead any form of divination spells. If the caster or user of the divination magic fails a saving throw, he or she will obtain a false result from the divination; a lie will be detected as truth, the wrong alignment perceived, the wrong location divined, etc.

Non-Detection

Phantasmal Abjuration

This spell shields the caster from the prying eyes of scrying magics, making him or her invisible to divination spells and other means of magical spying such as crystal balls and thought detection.

Paralysation

Phantasmal Illusion

A certain number of creatures within the spell’s area of effect are frozen in place, magically convinced that they cannot move. The caster can affect creatures with a total number of hit dice equal to twice his caster level. Each creature is entitled to a saving throw against the spell. The illusionist can end the paralysis at any time; otherwise a dispel magic (or dispel illusion) spell is the only way to remove the paralysis.

Permanent Illusion

Phantasmal Illusion

Except as noted otherwise above, this spell functions as a spectral force spell requiring no concentration to maintain.

Phantasmal Force

Phantasmal Illusion

Except as noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell phantasmal force.

Phantasmal Killer

Phantasmal Illusion

The caster creates a personal nightmare creature for the spell’s victim, drawn from the victim’s own worst fears. The creature is visible only to the victim and the caster. When the phantasmal killer takes shape, the victim is entitled to roll 3d6 and compare the result to his or her intelligence ability score. If the die roll is less than the victim’s intelligence, the victim realizes that the killer is actually an illusion and cannot be harmed by it. Certain modifiers apply to this roll (note that a negative modifier increases the chance for successfully disbelieving the apparition):

(A) –2 if the target is an illusionist;

(B) +1 if the target is caught by surprise;

(C) –1 if the target has previously been attacked by a phantasmal killer.

The wisdom bonus against mental attacks applies (subtract the bonus from the die roll instead of adding it, of course).

Provided that the victim fails his or her saving throw, the phantasmal killer proceeds to attack as a 4 HD monster. If it hits the target, he or she will automatically die from fright. The apparition is not vulnerable to damage and cannot be escaped. It disappears at the end of the spell’s duration, or at any time the caster dismisses it, or when the caster is killed or rendered unconscious.

Prismatic Spray

Phantasmal Abjuration

Holding out his or her hand, fingers fanned out, the caster evokes a spray of colours identical to those of the prismatic wall. All creatures in the path of the spell will be struck by one of the rays, determined randomly.

Prismatic Wall

Phantasmal Abjuration

This spell is similar to the magic user spell prismatic sphere, but it creates a wall rather than a sphere, up to 40 ft/ caster level in length and 20 ft/ caster level in height.

Programmed Illusion

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell specifies a particular trigger event (in the same manner as the magic user spell magic mouth). When the trigger event occurs, an illusion prepared in advance by the caster, identical to a spectral force, comes into being. The illusion lasts 1 round/ caster level.

Project Image

Phantasmal Illusion

Other than as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Rope Trick

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Shades

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell creates partially-real illusory monsters in the same manner as the spell shadow monsters, but shades have 60% of normal hit points rather than 20%. If they are detected as only quasi-real, they inflict 60% of normal damage and are AC 6.

Shadow Door

Phantasmal Illusion

With a mystical gesture, the illusionist creates an illusory door (either in a wall or free-standing). If the illusionist steps through, he or she disappears from sight and may go where he or she pleases. If anyone else opens the door, they will perceive a small empty room. The caster’s invisibility after passing through the shadow door is particularly powerful and cannot be seen by use of detect invisibility, although he or she can be seen with more powerful divination magic.

Shadow Magic

Phantasmal Illusion

The caster employs his or her ability to draw upon the shadow planes, adding an element of quasi-reality to an illusory spell. The “spell” may be one of a limited group: cone of cold, fireball, lightning bolt, or magic missile. The illusory spell will inflict normal damage upon creatures in the area of effect for that spell unless a saving throw is successful (note that the targets only receive a saving throw against the illusion, and do not obtain an additional saving throw for the illusory spell’s effect). If the saving throw against the illusion is successful, the target will take only 1 hit point of damage per caster level.

Shadow Monsters

Phantasmal Illusion

This is the first spell an illusionist can learn that draws upon the power of shadow planes behind the material plane of existence. This sort of magic is the hallmark of the truly powerful illusionist, for by tapping the power of the shadow planes an illusionist can weave quasi-reality into his or her phantasms. At this level of power, the illusionist can begin to reshape reality by the power of his or her mind. The shadow monsters created by the spell are selected by the caster (subject to the GM’s discretion). The total hit dice of the monsters cannot exceed the caster’s level, and all of them must be the same kind of monster. Shadow monsters have only 20% of normal hit dice (multiply by .2 and round up). Anyone seeing a shadow monster is entitled to a saving throw to realize that the creature is only partially real. If shadow creatures attack someone who fails the saving throw, they strike and inflict damage as the type of creature they appear to be (excluding magical attacks such as breath weapons). If they attack someone who has succeeded in making a saving throw, they are treated as AC 10 and inflict only 20% (multiply by .2 and round up) of normal damage for that sort of creature.

Spectral Force

Phantasmal Illusion

This spell functions in the same manner as improved phantasmal force, but it is a more powerful evocation of the same magic. The illusionist can include sounds, smells, and heat (or cold) into the illusion, making it very believable. The spectral force can linger for 3 rounds after the illusionist ceases to concentrate upon it.

Suggestion

Phantasmal Enchantment/ Charm

Except as noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Summon Shadow

Phantasmal Conjuration/ Summoning

This spell summons 1 undead shadow per caster level from the shadow planes. The shadows are under the illusionist’s command and will do his or her bidding. If turned, they will return to the shadow plane whence they came.

True Sight

Phantasmal Divination

This spell is identical in function (other than as may be noted above) to the clerical spell true seeing, except that the illusionist cannot discern alignments, for this spell is not of a spiritual nature.

Veil

Phantasmal Illusion

Veil is an extremely powerful spell of the same type as hallucinatory terrain, which alters the appearance of an area and everything in it, including people and other creatures. The illusion will fool even the sense of touch.

Ventriloquism

Phantasmal Illusion

Except as may be noted above, this spell is identical to the magic user spell of the same name.

Vision

Phantasmal Divination

By means of this spell, the illusionist gazes beyond reality itself, seeking patterns that will give him or her the answer to a question. 3d6 are rolled, and if the result is 10 or higher, he or she gains significant insights about the answer to the question. Gazing into the patterns beyond reality is a risky proposition, however; if the result of the die roll is from 2-6, the illusionist becomes obsessed with performing a task, and is treated as being under a geas spell until the random task is completed. If the roll is from 7-9 there is no result at all from the divination; the illusionist discerns no useful patterns, and suffers no ill effects from the attempt.

Wall of Fog

Phantasmal Transmutation/ Alteration

The illusionist creates a curtain of obscuring fog in the area of effect. Vision of all kinds is reduced to 2 ft through the swirling vapour. The fog can be affected by normal or magical wind and breezes.