Illusions

A Sorcerer Guild skill focused on obfuscation and creating objects from nothing. This skill comprises six (6) individual illusions which are studied and practiced in sequence.

Creating an Illusion

• ILLUSION {rose|vortex|maelstrom|void} : makes an attempt to create the illusion in your empty hand
• ILLUSION {shadow|demon} {target} : makes an attempt to create a shadow over an item or demon illusion over a minor demon

Each illusion is progressively difficult to create successfully. Rose being the easiest, and shadow being the most difficult (demon illusions always succeed). An attempt will always incur a random amount of RT between 1 and 5 sec, regardless of the attempt's outcome. Since overall ranks in illusions are a significant factor in success, previous illusions are generally easier to create than current ones. Each time an attempt at creation is made, the following factors are assessed and a d100 roll made.

Success Factors

Illusion ranks	Aura
Perception	Wisdom
Level	Discipline
Illusion's difficulty	Intuition

The Six Illusions

Each illusion is obtained and practiced in order. Once the illusion is learned, the sorcerer can continue to create it as long as they maintain active in the guild. Complete tasks to collect guild training points, acheiving ranks in the Illusions skill. Subsequent illusions are learned upon reaching the appropriate amount of ranks in the skill.

Illusion	Ranks	Seconds per rank
Rose	0 - 6	20
Vortex	7 - 14	10
Maelstrom	15 - 24	10
Void	25 - 34	10
Shadow	35 - 47	15
Demon	48 - 63	30

The number of ranks in this table refers to the number of ranks in the Illusions skill and not overall guild ranks.

Rose

The first and most interactive illusion. A detailed "black essence rose" is produced in the hand of the sorcerer which created it. They offer a variety of roleplay functions, such as the ability to change one's eye color.

• EAT ROSE : Disposes of the rose. Upon eating a rose, the essence travels through the skin and covers the eyes, temporarily causing them to appear pupiless and black-sheened. If Eye Spy is cast while under this effect, the floating eye will retain this appearance. If a non-sorcerer eats a rose, it casts the spell Nightmare upon them. The potency of the nighmare is relative to the power of the rose's creator.
• TAP ROSE : Causes the rose to dissolve and temporarily reform into the shape any one of a number of creatures.
• COVER ROSE : Causes the rose to turn invisible, but still remain in the sorcerer's hand. Covering it again will bring it back into visibility.
• RUB ROSE : Causes the rose to dissolve into a collection of swirling motes of essence, before returning to the shape of a rose.
• POINT ROSE AT {character|container} : Allows one to put the rose into the hand of a character, or to put a rose inside of a container, including worn containers and objects such as benches.
• TOSS ROSE AT {character} : Throws the rose at the character, turning it into a stiletto which shatters harmlessly on their chest.
• CLENCH ROSE : Causes the rose to sprout thorns which appear menacing enough so that other characters will not be able to pick it up.

Vortex

A whirlwind of essence dust and debris in the form of a "swirling colorless vortex." It has no specific functions, but can be interacted with as a normal object. Using verbs such as peer, grin, and smile on the vortex will cause it to be dispersed. This illusion is commonly used as the 'default' illusion when performing the teach task because of its minimal screen scroll.

Maelstrom

An advanced version of vortex, appearing as a "raging tempest." With churning air, arcing lightning, and hailstones, its a miniture illusionary version of the Energy Maelstrom spell. As with the vortex, it offers no mechanical functions but can be dispersed through certain verbs similar to those used in vortex. This illusion is widely known as the worst eyesore of all the illusions.

Void

A "rippling black void" mimicking an Implosion is created. Many disposable items can be placed within them, destroying both item and void permanently.

• PUT {item} IN VOID : effectively trashes (deletes) the item, and causes the void to dissipate
• TURN VOID : Causes the void to spin extremely fast, and then eliminates it. Serves no specific purpose.
• POKE VOID : Will eliminate the void with little screenscroll.
• TOSS VOID AT {character} : Throws the void at a character, similar to rose's toss function.

Shadow

An "errant black shadow" can be used to conceal items on the ground from the view of other characters or the janitor. Only the creator of the shadow can manipulate items within or dispel the shadow. Creating a shadow costs 3 mana.

• ILLUSION SHADOW SHADOW : Will dispel the shadow prematurely. Be aware adjectives (such as second or other) cannot be used with this command, which often creates problems if more than one sorcerer is creating shadows in the same room.

Demon

The pinnacle of illusions is the ability to enshroud minor demons, concealing their true form from the law and nosy characters. Due to the complexity of the demon illusions, they are learned one at a time. Proficiency with more basic demon illusions must be displayed before others can be practiced. Creating a demon illusion costs 5 mana.

• SENSE {figure|gnoll|ferret|vulture|toucan|wolf} : approximates the time remaining of the demon's illusion
• ILLUSION DEMON {figure|gnoll|ferret|vulture|toucan|wolf} : refreshes the demon illusion, and costs 5 mana.
• ILLUSION DEMON {figure|gnoll|ferret|vulture|toucan|wolf} DISPEL : ceases the demon illusion. It does not cost any mana to perform, but cannot be done unless you have at least 5 mana.

Demon Archetype	Corresponding Illusion	Rank Learned
Igaesha	large black vulture	48
Imp and Shien	stooped and wizened gnoll	53
Verlok	brightly plumed toucan	54
Grantris	lithe ferret	55
Aishan	languid [color †] wolf	58
Abyran and Grik	hooded figure	63

† The wolf illusion retains the original color of the aishan it masks.

Tasks for Illusions Progression

There are four types of tasks which can be assigned to a student of illusions. The Training Administrator assigns each one randomly when a new task is requested. A number of repetitions (reps) are assigned along with each task, all of which must be executed before the task is considered complete. The number of reps is also random, but the base increases with increasing ranks. Each completed task will garner an amount of guild training points, and once enough training points are received, a promotion to the next rank is earned. To view current ranks, current task, reps remaining until next task, and points remaining until next rank, use the GLD command.

• ASK {NPC} ABOUT TRAINING ILLUSIONS once you have completed the reps for your task. This checks in with the administrator, rewarding you training points. Repeat this command to receive your next task.

• ASK {NPC} ABOUT NEXT ILLUSION when the Training Administrator tells you to visit the Guildmaster to receive a promotion. The Guildmaster will award you the next rank, along with a small amount of experience and fame. Once the Guildmaster has promoted you, return to the Training Administrator to receive your next task.

Teach

The Training Administrator told you to find a fellow guild member to teach Illusions to.

You must instruct another Sorcerer Guild member in the art of illusions. This action will incur an RT for both individuals, usually from 12 to 18 sec. Then the student must then create the illusion taught to them within 60 sec of receiving a lesson. It is not necessary to teach your current illusion in order to obtain reps, but a student attempting to garner learn reps must be learning their current illusion.

• ILLUSION TEACH {character} {illusion} is the appropriate syntax to execute an instruction round.

• This can also be used to help others progress through illusions training. Attempting to create an illusion within 30 sec of receiving a lesson garners a bonus to success. It is not necessary to be assigned with the teach task in order to use this ability.

Learn

The Training Administrator told you to find a fellow guild member to teach you illusions.

Find another Sorcerer Guild memeber to instruct you in your current illusion. The teacher must have knowledge of that illusion to do so, but does not need to be tasked with teach. You will then have 60 seconds to perform the illusion correctly.

Speed

The Training Administrator told you to see how many times you can create an Illusion within one minute.

Create five (5) or six (6) of your current illusion within 60 sec (the total is always random). The timer begins when the first success in a round is executed. If the series is not completed within the time alotted, a new round will begin upon the next successful creation. This task causes extreme amounts of screen scroll, it is recommended to retire to a secluded area before performing this task. It is possible to receive a rep for teaching someone tasked with speed, but the teach rep is only acheived if a full speed rep is completed.

• Using the spell Haste via scrolls or magic items can help expedite this task.

Audience

The Training Administrator told you to practice your latest Illusion in front of an audience.

You must successfully execute your current illusion in front of six (6) other characters. Audience members must be visible and living. Active Sorcerer Guild members count as two audience members. Once a rep is executed, 30 sec must pass before another can be acheived. One may teach to others between their audience reps, but others cannot receive teach reps by teaching someone who is tasked with audience.

• Audiences are not always available. Offering defensive magic and other services in a populated area of town can help gather the crowd required for this task.

Masters

The Training Administrator told you to find an Arcane Master to practice with.

You must go to one of the Arcane Masters in the guild and ask them for training in Illusions. They will take you to a private room, and you must then perform the illusion for the required number of repetitions. This will be assigned as the first task when you reach a new illusion, and they will teach you how to perform it. This task will only be assigned as the first of a new rank, and even then, will not be assigned every rank.

If you are in need of a player character who is a master of illusions, you can check the list of current Illusion Masters here. Everyone on this list is willing to offer their help in advancing other sorcerers through this particular guild skill.