wbpesch@ihuxp.UUCP (Walt Pesch) (11/23/83)
One of my favorite ways of using an illusionist in an offensive nature
was to use the spectral force to create, at a beginning of an
adventure, a PALADIN (by the capital letters I mean a paladin with
plate armor and a sword that glowed with many runes on the blade.) This
use of the Spectral Illusion was specially practiced by me to allow me
to run it in combat. Therefor, we had as the second in line an illusion
of a Paladin that, to most of the creatures that we fought, was
considered to be real. And, through my practice with this specific
illusion, I became very adept at running this Paladin in combat. And
though I had him bleed, he never did fall, and he did do a heck of a
lot of damage. It was especially good to send as the first in line
against the horde of little creatures, such as rats and stirges, whose
intelligence and power would not allow them to see through this
illusion.
The thing I should mention however about this illusion is because of
it's nature of being a very powerful illusion in being a spectral illusion, the
ease of believing the illusion created (for it was a good party, and a
Paaldin fit right in), and the practice I have had with specifically
this illusion gave a negative modifier to the saving throw given to
creatures viewing this illusion. (Who looks at a fighter and then
attempts to disbelieve?) Also, through practice, I was able to hold
this illusion in marching order walking normally while myself moving
at 3/4 normal speed instead of 1/2 normal speed.
How nice it was to have a fighter that hit upon my willing him to (by
the way the sword that he carried was two-handed, and upon occasion
was the Holy Avenger that a Count that we had been employed by had)
and healed upon my willing him to, would hold the doorway while we
escaped, etc. What a handy extra member of the party.
--
Walt Pesch
AT&T Western Electric