Illusory Fortification
The ritual required to cast this spell is time-consuming and extremely complex. As its name
implies, illusory fortification creates an illusion
of a wall of heavy stonework up to 30 feet tall
and 160 yards long, topped with crenellations.
The illusory wall can be of any color and apparent age, potentially allowing the caster to match
the false wall with the real walls of an existing
castle. The illusory wall must be continuous (it
cannot form two or more shorter walls), but it
can follow any corners or bends that the caster
desires.
In addition to the wall, the spell creates the illusion of constant movement among the crenellations, as if defending troops were moving atop
the wall. The formation of the crenellations
makes it impossible for a distant observer to determine exactly how many and what types of defenders are present on the illusory fortification.
The illusory wall remains in existence for 2d12
hours unless the spell is terminated earlier.
The spell has one very significant limitation: it
is strictly two-dimensional and is visible from onIy one side (the side that the caster deems to be
the "outside"). When viewed from the outside,
the wall appears real; when viewed from the end,
from above, or from the "inside," the wall is totally invisible except for a faint outline of the shape
of the wall. This means that friendly troops, concealed from enemy view by the illusory wall, can
see their opponents clearly. The wall is most effective if friendly troops are informed of the
wall's presence and are careful not to walk
through the illusion. Such an occurrence does not
end the spell, but it will probably advise the enemy of the nature of the wall.
Spells cast at the wall and shots fired at the illusory fortification by siege engines appear to
strike the wall and inflict normal damage. In reality the missiles or spells pass through the illusion,
possibly striking troops or real fortifications beyond. Such "hits" do not disturb the illusion.
As soon as an enemy unit moves within 10
yards of the illusory fortification. the spell terminates and the wall vanishes.
There are two ways in which the spell can be
terminated before it expires. First, the priest can
terminate the spell at any time. Second, if a
friendly unit makes an attack, whether melee or
missile combat, through the illusory wall from
the "inside" to the "outside," the spell terminates
instantly.
Once the illusory fortification has been created. the priest does not need to concentrate on
the wall. The spell remains in effect even if the
casting priest is killed in the interim.
All components except the holy symbol are consumed in the
casting.
[Tome of Magic]
Sphere: War
(Illusion/Phantasm)
Level: 7
(Illusion/Phantasm)
Level: 7
Range: 240 yards
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 10 turns
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: None
Components: V, S, M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 10 turns
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: None
the priest's holy symbol, a handful of stones, powdered mortar, and a gem worth at least 3,000 gp
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