Mastering Deception

Greetings, seekers of arcane mastery. In this enchanting journey through the School of Illusion, we immerse ourselves in the world of Deception Spells, where the boundaries of reality blur, and illusion becomes a potent tool of manipulation. Old Nan shall guide you through these intricate webs of deception, revealing the secrets of spells that bewilder the senses and challenge the very notion of truth.

Illusion, dear students, is the art of deception. It is the magic of misdirection, creating false perceptions, and weaving illusions so convincing that they alter reality itself. Deception Spells, a hallmark of the School of Illusion, allow practitioners to warp the minds of observers, obscuring truths and fabricating falsehoods.

Within the shadowy realm of deception, you will find spells that conceal, bewilder, and beguile. These illusions can make the mundane appear magical or the terrifying seem mundane. Deception Spells are the art of smoke and mirrors, where the line between what is real and what is imagined blurs. Now, let us delve into the enigmatic world of Deception Spells. 

Arcanist’s Magic Aura: 2nd-level

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a small square of silk)
Duration: 24 hours

In the world of magic, where secrets and mysteries abound, this enchantment serves as a shroud of deception.

Picture a clever mage, faced with a dilemma. They possess a precious object or desire to safeguard a willing ally from prying eyes and inquisitive spells. With a touch and an incantation, the mage casts ‘Arcanist’s Magic Aura’, and the world is cloaked in deception.

Now, let me share with you the two facets of this spell, for its power lies in the choice. The effects linger for a duration, but if cast daily for a month with the same choice, the illusion becomes enduring until undone.

The first aspect is the ‘False Aura’. With this, the mage can manipulate how a target registers to spells and magical detections. Imagine a simple trinket, transformed into an object of apparent magical splendor, or a potent artifact, hiding its true essence from prying eyes. The mage can even masquerade an item with a false school of magic to confound the curious. And if another hand should touch this object, they shall too perceive the falsehood.

The second facet is the ‘Mask‘. In this choice, the mage transforms a creature’s identity in the eyes of divination magic. A mighty dragon could be seen as a lowly squirrel, or a humble gnome mistaken for an angelic being. It is as if the very nature of the creature is rewritten for those seeking to unveil its secrets.

But be warned, my dear ones, for ‘Arcanist’s Magic Aura’ does not alter the true essence of the object or creature. It merely obscures it from magical sight. Should a wise sage or clever mage pierce the veil with true perception, the illusion shall crumble like a paper castle in the wind.


Blur: 2nd-level

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Picture a wizard, perhaps cornered by foes on a moonlit night. They raise their hands, utter the incantation, and, like a mirage in the desert, their form begins to waver and ripple. They’ve invoked ‘Blur’.

While under its enchantment, the caster becomes elusive, a spectral dance of uncertainty to those who dare to assail them. Any foe who relies on sight to strike their target is thrown into disarray, for their attacks are fraught with disadvantage. It’s as if the caster is a whispering shadow, slipping through the fingers of their adversaries.

Yet, like all tales of magic, ‘Blur’ has its limitations. Those with special senses, like blindsight, can still track the elusive figure. And those who possess the extraordinary power of truesight can pierce through the illusion, seeing the truth beyond the shifting facade.

So remember, my dear listeners, when ‘Blur’ is cast, it turns a caster into a fleeting specter, a trickster in the realm of combat, leaving their foes bewildered and vulnerable. But as with all spells, it’s not without its counters, for magic is a tapestry woven with threads of both wonder and challenge.


Mirror Image: 2nd-level

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 minute

Sit close, dear ones, for I shall regale you with the tale of ‘Mirror Image’, a spell of cunning illusion. Imagine, if you will, a wizard in the heart of a treacherous labyrinth, beset by danger at every turn. To protect themselves, they cast ‘Mirror Image’.

As the arcane words leave their lips, three spectral duplicates materialize, each mirroring the wizard’s every move. They become an ethereal dance of confusion, and tracking the true spellcaster amidst the trio becomes nigh impossible.

Now, when a foe strikes out at our wizard, a roll of fate’s dice decides whether the attack finds its mark or harmlessly strikes one of the illusory doppelgangers. The higher the number, the trickier it is to hit the genuine article. With all three images intact, an attacker must roll a 6 or higher to be led astray. As the duplicates dwindle, so too do the odds to 8, until only one remains, and even then, it takes a roll of 11 or more to miss the real target.

But there’s a catch, my friends. These spectral companions are fragile, like the morning dew, with AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier. A single hit, one that lands true, shatters a duplicate into nothingness. And when all three have been dispatched, the magic fades.

However, like many enchantments, ‘Mirror Image’ has its weaknesses. Creatures with blind senses, those who see beyond illusion with truesight, or those who rely on senses other than sight can pierce this web of deception.

So, remember this tale, for ‘Mirror Image’ is a spell of cunning misdirection, a guardian of smoke and mirrors that keeps its caster dancing just out of reach, a tantalizing illusion in the world of magic.


Mislead: 5th-level

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

Picture a sly rogue or a sneaky sorcerer, needing to slip past their foes or outwit a watchful guardian.

With a whispered incantation, they vanish from sight, like a ghost in the night. But, mind you, it’s not just invisibility that they weave. No, no! Simultaneously, they conjure a convincing doppelganger, an illusory twin, right in their place.

The twin, it lingers, pretending to be the caster, while the real one becomes invisible. It’s a clever ruse, but one must tread lightly, for any aggressive act or the casting of a spell breaks the invisibility’s cloak. The secret lies in subtlety.

The conjurer controls this phantom sibling, moving it, making it talk, or perform as they see fit. With a thought, they can peer through its eyes and listen through its ears. It’s as if they’re in two places at once, their senses dancing between the real world and the illusion.

Yet, here’s the trick: when they’re looking through the twin’s eyes, their own world becomes shrouded in darkness and silence. It’s a trade-off between sight and invisibility, a balance struck between reality and illusion.

So, young adventurers, remember this artful spell when you seek to blend with the shadows, to move unnoticed through the world, or to deceive those who would see you. But use it wisely, for the power of invisibility is a double-edged sword.


Simulacrum: 7th-level

Casting Time: 12 hours
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (snow or ice in quantities sufficient to made a life-size copy of the duplicated creature; some hair, fingernail clippings, or other piece of that creature’s body placed inside the snow or ice; and powdered ruby worth 1,500 gp, sprinkled over the duplicate and consumed by the spell)
Duration: Until dispelled

Children, gather ’round the hearth, and let me spin you a tale of the ‘Simulacrum’—a magical creation of ice and snow, a reflection of a living creature.

Imagine, if you will, a wizard deep in their study, desiring a loyal companion or a trusted protector. With great incantations and careful concentration, they craft an illusion, an image of a creature from ice and snow. This icy doppelganger is no mere apparition but a partially real creation, possessing the essence of the being it mimics.

However, it is a fragile construct, with only half the vitality of the original. It wears no equipment and cannot grow stronger or wiser with time. It is but a mirror image, with all the same abilities and powers of the creature it copies.

The caster holds sway over this simulacrum, commanding it to move, speak, and act in harmony with their wishes. It is a loyal companion, acting in combat as directed by the caster.

Yet, remember, dear ones, the simulacrum lacks the spark of true life. It cannot learn or advance, forever frozen in its current form. When damaged, it can be restored, but only through the intricate craft of alchemy and rare ingredients.

Like frost beneath the sun’s warmth, the simulacrum will endure until it reaches the brink of collapse, at which point it dissolves into a puddle of water and is gone.

Should the wizard decide to cast this spell again, any previous simulacrums they’ve made will vanish, like frost in the morning sun. So be cautious when creating these icy duplicates, for they are but fleeting echoes of life.

Guidance on Using Deception Spells

As you embark on the path of mastering Deception Spells, it is crucial to wield this magic responsibly and ethically. Deception can be a double-edged sword, and it should never be employed to cause harm or sow discord needlessly.

  1. Intent and Purpose: Always consider your intentions when using Deception Spells. Are you using illusions for protection, diversion, or understanding? Ensure your motives are just.
  2. Ethical Boundaries: Respect the boundaries of deception. Do not use illusions to manipulate or deceive individuals in a harmful or malicious manner.
  3. Revealing the Truth: Be prepared to dispel your illusions when they have served their purpose. Clinging to falsehoods can lead to unintended consequences.
  4. Permission and Consent: When using illusions on others, seek their consent whenever possible. Respect their autonomy and choices.
  5. Moral Accountability: Remember that actions have consequences. If your deceptions lead to misunderstandings or harm, be accountable for your magic.

With these principles as your guide, you shall navigate the intricate world of Deception Spells with wisdom and responsibility.

 

In the enigmatic realm of illusion,

Old Nan