Shadow Head

When this spell is memorized, it is woven around any already-memorized spell of 1st through 4th level (typically a combat spell). The two spells combine, becoming a single 5th-level spell in the caster's mind, and freeing up the mind-space occupied by the lesser spell. When this spell is cast, it creates a spectral head: a humanlike, disembodied, floating head that appears to be composed of translucent shadow. The head can be the size of the caster's own or larger, to a maximum height of the caster's entire body. The head moves and speaks as the caster wills. Controlling it and maintaining its existence does not prevent the caster from casting other spells.

A shadow head typically gives a guiding or warning message. The caster can speak through its mouth as long as the head is within range, though spell incantations or magical item words of activation uttered by the head do not work. The head can be empowered to speak when certain triggering conditions are met, in the same way as a magic mouth spell. The predetermined message can be up to 50 words long, can be delivered in any language the caster knows, and can be spoken in any voice the caster can mimic.

A shadow head has no solid existence and can do nothing but speak (though it may threaten or mislead). If any attack, magical or physical, passes through it, then the spell it was combined with (typically fireball or lightning bolt) is instantly launched from the head at the source of the attack. The head then vanishes.

The material components of this spell are a scrap of cobweb that a shadow has once fallen across and a bit of tongue from any creature.