How to create an illusion of a group of creatures? - Found the answer!

[Lucius Foxhound]

This just came up on another thread... I don't think there's a spell (at least in the core books) that will let you create an illusion of a group of creatures (say, for example, a illusion of 6 Mind Flayers waiting around the corner).

Silent, Minor, and Major Image all say: "This spell creates the visual illusion of an object, creature, or force."

The only way I can figure is to cast persistant image multiple times. Any ideas? Seems like this would be a good spell for an Illusionist to research... (hint to my DM).

 

[LokiDR]

A number of connected statues can be considered one object of art. Illusion is limited only by your own imagination, so don't read more into spell descriptions than is there.

 

[AuraSeer]

If there are creatures there already, you could use Veil to give them any appearance you want. (In the situation you describe, you probably want to use expendable lackeys or subdued enemies, since illithids usually draw heavy magical attack as soon as they're spotted.)

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

A number of connected statues can be considered one object of art. Illusion is limited only by your own imagination, so don't read more into spell descriptions than is there.

Wow.. by that logic, Polymorph Any Object becomes a damn great spell!

 

[Tom Cashel]

I can't find a spell that does that...

But if you research one it could use a similar mechanic to ghost sound:

The volume of sound created, however, depends on the character's level. The character can produce as much noise as four normal humans per caster level (maximum twenty humans). Thus, talking, singing, shouting, walking, marching, or running sounds can be created. The noise a ghost sound spell produces can be virtually any type of sound within the volume limit. A horde of rats running and squeaking is about the same volume as eight humans running and shouting. A roaring lion is equal to the noise from sixteen humans, while a roaring dire cat is equal to the noise from twenty humans.

Not exactly like that, but the same idea, right?

 

[Shalewind]

Illusion is limited only by your own imagination, so don't read more into spell descriptions than is there.

and

Wow.. by that logic, Polymorph Any Object becomes a damn great spell!

I believe the key word there was ILLUSION. Loki probably meant (and I agree) that illusion spells are as much flavor as effect and thus should be treated differently. Not: Take polymorph (or any other spell for that matter) and run wild.

 

[IceBear]

But Lucious needs to stick to EXACTLY what's in the book. Exactly.

IceBear

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Exactly.

 

[LokiDR]

Wow.. by that logic, Polymorph Any Object becomes a damn great spell!

Why not, it is 8th level spell Note, this logic assumes that the group is within the area of the spell, and are connected through the ground. You couldn't create the group then have them scatter, for example. You can still get the effect you are looking for though: a group to distract enemies.

 

[Bagpuss]

A number of connected statues can be considered one object of art. Illusion is limited only by your own imagination, so don't read more into spell descriptions than is there.

Sort of makes Hallucinatory Terrain (4th level) and Mirage Arcana (5th level) no where near as useful if you can mimic the effect of multiple trees and objects with a 1st level spell as you suggest.