Spectral Milieu (spell)
Spectral Milieu creates the illusion of a serene, untouched refuge that provides succour from the immediate environment, primarily in the form of a glade that is untouched by either the blazing heat or the brutal cold of equatorial or polar environments; the milieu is untouched even by the harshness of the local landscape.
| Range | 40 ft. |
| Duration | ½ hour per level |
| Area of Effect | 5 ft. per level diameter circle |
| Casting Time | 2 rounds |
| Saving Throw | none |
| Level | illusionist (3rd) |
In effect, no matter where the milieu is cast, the area of effect becomes warm and comfortable in temperature, with fresh lawns or clover to lie in, trees to rest against, a pool to swim in, shade to protect from the sun and even an absence of wind or rain. The milieu cannot be affected by any climate or weather, nor even by a geologic disturbance, because it is not real.
Nevertheless, it will protect those inside the milieu from storm (even a tornado or hurricane), natural lightning, tsunami, flood, lava flow or earthquake, along with many other less hazardous conditions, for the duration of the spell.
While the water within the milieu is drinkable; while the fruit or nuts produced on the trees may be delicious; and while it may even be possible to slaughter and kill the suckling pig found among the lush bushes, all effects of the milieu will cease to have any effect once the spell’s duration is past. In other words, while those within will not be thirsty while the spell is in force, they will become thirsty the moment the spell ceases to be.
It is thus a temporary refuge at best … though it will shorten a harsh day in the sun, or give comfort to individuals shivering in the cold perhaps long enough for help to arrive. At high enough levels, it may even offer a comfortable place for a spellcaster to sleep and rest, before re-memorizing their spells. Rest and sleep are the only effects which will remain for those within the milieu when the spell is gone … for those things, after all, are pursued from within the mind and body, and not without.
The spell offers no boundary nor protection against creatures who may enter, but those beyond the milieu will only see the creatures within—to outsiders, the milieu will appear to be a bit of bare rock, with a light snow covering when applicable.
Upon entering the milieu, some intelligent monsters may immediately reassess their aggression, and seek to parley.
To those familiar with the spell, the outer edges of the milieu will appear visible, so that the caster’s allies may also be able to find it.
