Mordenkainen's Faithful Phantom Defenders

This spell summons a set of phantom beings seen as shimmering outlines of violet light. These defenders do their best to keep between the wizard and his foes, providing the caster with enough time and space to defend himself with spells. To most creatures, the phantom defenders are solid, seemingly real entities. To the wizard, the defenders are completely transparent and non-corporeal. Any attack spell cast by the wizard has no effect on them, so the wizard's spells can be cast through them to strike enemy creatures. The defenders suffer no harm if caught within the area of effect of the wizard's spells.

One of four different sets of phantom defenders can be summoned by the wizard, but the caster must decide which set will be called forth when the spell is memorized. Each set is best suited for a particular environment. These are the four sets of defenders:

Three faithful phantom soldiers: AC 4 (phantom chain mail and shield); MV 9; HD 4; hp 24 each; #AT 1; Dmg 1d8 (phantom long sword); THAC0 17; AL N; SA can strike creatures hit only by +1 magical weapons.

Two faithful phantom centaurs: AC 5; MV 18; HD 4; hp 28 each; #AT 1; Dmg 1d6 (phantom light lance); THAC0 15; AL N; SA can strike creatures hit only by +2 magical weapons.

Eight faithful phantom giant bats: AC 8; MV 3, fl 18; HD 2+2; hp 12 each; #AT 1; Dmg 1d4; THAC0 19; AL N; SA can strike creatures hit only by +3 magical weapons.

Five faithful phantom sharks: AC 6; MV sw 24; HD 3; hp 15 each; #AT 1; Dmg 1d4+1; THAC0 15; AL N; SA can strike creatures hit only by +1 magical weapons.

The material component is a 1,000 gp emerald, which vanishes when the spell is cast. The spell also requires is a small lead crystal figure depicting the type of defender to be summoned, which is reusable.

Notes: Uncommon or rare spell (WoG).