Shadowsteal

This spell can be triggered at its casting or long after the casting by uttering a command word or by the fulfillment of certain conditions set during the casting (as a magic mouth spell). It affects the caster or a willing recipient touched by the caster during casting. Once the spell is activated, it lasts for one hour per level of its caster or until the special conditions defined below occur.

When the shadowsteal is activated, the protected being acquires a shapeshifting, shadowy appearance that conceals its identity and even its race. The continually altering shape emits ever-changing heat and cold that foils even infravision. All opponents relying on sight attack the protected being at a -3 penalty to their attack rolls.

The shadowy being can move, cast spells if a spellcaster, and fight normally. There is no real alteration of its body or any worn or carried items. The protected being sees and speaks normally, and this spell empowers it to dimension door once (as the 4th-level wizard spell) any time while the spell continues, but using this ends the shadowsteal instantly.

A shadowsteal spell waiting to take effect is negated by the death of the being it is cast on or by a successful dispel magic spell. It is unaffected by other magic.

In ancient times, this spell was a favorite of wizards seeking to slay foes and escape without being recognized. The Seven have used it to fight Zhentarim and Red Wizards of Thay without revealing their identities.

The material component is a smoky topaz worth at least 600 gp that has been exposed to a full eclipse.