Watching Shadow
- SchoolAlteration
- SphereDivination
- ComponentsV, S
- Range10 yards/level
- AreaSpecial
- Casting time7
- Duration1 round/level
- SaveNone
This spell creates a mobile shadow that sends its caster visual information (similar to, but by no means exactly like, a wizard eye spell). The locale being watched need not be known to the caster of the spell. The shadow need not be man-shaped, but it is always of approximately the same cubic volume as the caster. It can squeeze through any hole that one of the caster's hands, up to the wrist, could pass through, and the caster can change its shape at will. (Quite specific forms can be taken, so that the shadow can point like a hand, etc.) The shadow glides along the ground or floor at MV 15, feather falling gently to earth if it moves over a sudden drop off. It cannot ly or rise except by moving up a stair, or climbing a wall, rock face, or inine that the caster could traverse.
The caster can move the shadow wherever desired, seeing in any direction from it by silent effort of will. The shadow is visible, and will no doubt attract attention if it moves, stops, moves again, and appears to follow beings— especially when no shadow should be present—but there is no visible eye or other indication that the caster is watching through the shadow. The caster's mind cannot be contacted by beings employing magic or psionics on the shadow. The caster can see out of the shadow as far and as well as if his or her own eyes were present where the shadow is and the gloom of the shadow was not.
The presence of lead or gorgon's blood in walls (or their mortar) serves as a barrier against the viewing linkage of shadow to caster, but the caster retains control of the spell effect. If the shadow can be moved "blind" to a spot where there is no effective intervening barrier, the visual link is restored.
Watching shadow only functions on its caster's current plane of existence.
Unlike a listening shadow, a watching shadow spell ends instantly if its caster undertakes any other spellcasting.
Notes: Granted by the Mask, god of thieves of the Forgotten Realms setting.
Sources: Faiths & Avatars · Priest's Spell Compendium