Canonfire!

Sat Sep 14, 2013 7:18 am Illusion Areas of Effect: Mobile or Not?

Question: Can a mage move the area of effect for illusionary effects? Are they stationary or mobile?

For instance, say a mage is on a boat sailing downstream. Can the wizard cast a Phantasmal Force to conceal his boat (let's say by making it appear to be a floating log pile or herd of swimming caribou) by overlaying the illusion over the boat OR is it a set area of effect that cannot move to conceal the boat?

My gut tells me illusionary areas of effect cannot move, but wondering what you all think.

always full of questions,

Lanthorn

Sat Sep 14, 2013 5:49 pm

It would probably depend on the spell in question for what all the mage could do in terms of moving the effect.

Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:54 am

I am mainly thinking of the Phantasmal Force variety spells, including Spectral Force.

-Lanthorn

Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:46 am

I'm going by what is printed in the 2E Wizards Spell Compendium

Phantasmal Force has a AOE of 400 sq. ft. + 100 sq. ft./level and the last paragraph says "the illiusionary effect can be moved by the caster within the limits of the AOE.

Spectral Force references Improved Phantasmal Force in it's description. Unfortunately I no longer have access to the volume of the Wizard's Spell Compendium.

Sun Sep 15, 2013 11:14 am

It says the same thing in the 2e Player's Handbook, too. I guess I should read more carefully before posting!

Although it does not state the same thing for the "Improved" and "Spectral" varieties, I'd think the illusion could move so long as the mage is concentrating on it.

thanks,

Lanthorn

Thu Sep 19, 2013 3:04 am

Phantasmal Force:

"The illusionary effect can be moved by the caster within the limits of the area of effect."

If one could simply move the Area of Effect, there would be no limit, and so this sentence would not be included. That it was included tells us that the area is set in place, and that the illusion must operate within it. This is true for improve phantasmal force, spectral force, and other illusions that do not specifically state that their areas of effect can be moved about/that are mobile with the caster/target.
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