Phantasmal Killer (spell)

Phantasmal Killer is a spell that conjures a featureless figure of an assassin equal in levels to that of the caster, able to approach and attempt to kill exactly as an assassin would. Once brought into existence, the phantasmal killer can travel as far as the duration allows, moving at stride-1 and no faster — but the caster need not maintain line-of-sight with the killer while it does its work. The caster can intuitively sense where the phantasmal killer is, while directing its actions for game purposes.

The phantasmal killer cannot move beyond 60 feet from the caster (ten hexes), so to some extent the caster must risk exposure themselves in order to move the killer to a vantage point where assassination is possible. However, at the moment when the killer is seen (see stealth), the spellcaster can move forward to bring the victim into the killer's reach.

Phantasmal Killer

Range	10 ft.
Duration	1 round/level; see text
Area of Effect	1 killer
Casting Time	2 rounds
Saving Throw	none
Level	illusionist (4th)

Note that while the killer can approach to a number of hexes as an assassin of that level would, the spellcaster's approach must be determined separately — so that while the assassin may not be noticed, the caster might. This could work in the spellcaster's favor, since the caster would potentially serve as "bait," bringing the victim past the assassin's location (particularly effective if the assassin's stealth distance is less than 1).

Once the assassination attempt is made, the phantasmal killer will vanish.