Net of Shadows

This dramatic spell causes all of the ordinary shadows in a 25-radius around the spell's target or targets to rise up and fly at the chosen targets, forming a dark net. The targets must make a successful saving throw vs. spell. Those who succeed are mildly disoriented for 1 round, suffering a -1 penalty on attacks and saving throws. Those who fail are trapped inside a twisting web of shadows that leads them away from the caster. They cannot attack or perform any other action until the spell expires. On the other hand, victims of a net of shadows enjoy a -4 bonus to Armor Class, as the strands of darkness obscure them from attackers.

The illusion can be disbelieved with a successful saving throw vs. spell at a -2 penalty. This saving throw is in addition to the initial saving throw to avoid the net's entrapment.

A net of shadows affects up to one person for every level of the caster. One unusual side effect of this spell is that it "steals" the shadows from the surrounding area, making any thief using the Hide in Shadows ability in the area of effect plainly visible. A net of shadows spell does not counter the effects of a blend with shadows spell (see below)— although a shadow remaining after this spell has been cast might be a giveaway that other Shadow magic is in effect nearby