Project Shadow

Project shadow must be cast while the spellcaster is within a region of shadow or darkness. Project shadow is a shadow magic variant of the more commonly known project image spell. Like the latter incantation, this spell enables the spellcaster to create a duplicate of himself or herself, projecting it to any spot within spell range. Unlike a project image spell, however, project shadow creates a duplicate of only the spellcaster's shadow. The shadow performs actions decided by the spellcaster—walking, speaking, spellcasting—conforming to the actual actions of the spellcaster's shadow unless she or he concentrates on making it act differently (in which case the spellcaster is limited to half movement and no attacks). Note that spells can be cast through the projected shadow and function as if they had been cast while the spellcaster was in the projected shadow 's location.

Whereas a project image spell is commonly employed to deceive opponents into believing they are facing the spellcaster's physical form, a project shadow spell is rarely effective in this fashion. Instead it is commonly used to hide within regions of darkness or shadow so as to surprise an opponent, or to conceal the spellcaster's identity when she or he needs to parley with a potentially dangerous opponent.

A projected shadow can be dispelled only by means of a successful dispel magic spell, exposure to direct bright light, or upon command from the spellcaster. All other attacks pass harmlessly through it. A project shadow spell may also be cast through any scrying device (whether it be physical, such as a crystal ball, or a magical effect, such as that created by a magic font or shadow serpents spell), but additional spells cast do not pass through the scrying device. The image must be within view of the spellcaster projecting it at all times, whether scryed or observed directly, and if his or her sight is obstructed for any reason, the spell is broken and dispelled.

Unlike a project image spell, whether or not the wizard is invisible at the time of the spellcasting has no effect on the projected shadow. If the spellcaster uses dimension door, teleport, plane shift, or a similar spell that breaks his or her line of vision, the project shadow spell ends immediately.