Post/Author/DateTime	Post
baalzamon999 10-05-05, 08:38 PM	I was playing in a campaign recently, and one of the players, a 1st-level wizard, cast silent image around our enemies in the form of a blue cube of force. They failed their Will saves, and the DM gave the wizard full concealment from the enemies. Now, I don't see why this couldn't work, but, could it? The advantage to using silent image over darkness is that the first will provide full concealment. However, darkness does not have a save, so I guess it would be an appropriate pay-off.
BeyondFated 10-05-05, 09:18 PM	Having reviewed the spell, I don't see why not. It supposedly makes a solid image (that they can't see through, but can pass through). So therefore, I'd say anything on the other side has total concealment, until the other party passes through.
tafkamhokie 10-05-05, 10:05 PM	I have never seen an official ruling on this, but I would not think you could make an illusion of darkness, since that is not really an image of something. Darkness is simply the absence of light. But you can sure make an image of a wall, which cannot be seen through. I personally like to make images of stone walls...bad guy sees a wizard gesturing and suddenly a wall pops up. Since Wall of Stone is a real spell, there is no immediate reason for them to doubt it is a real wall and automatically get a saving throw. I had someone try to make an illusion of darkness in my game and did not let them. They changed it to a bank of fog, which sounded OK to me. But to your original question, yes you can get total concealment from a silent image spell. Remember though, the image only lasts for as long as you maintain concentration, which is a standard action each round.
WombleHunter 10-06-05, 11:45 AM	Perhaps not darkness, but as pointed out the point may be moot anyway - you can simply create an illusion of fog, ot if you really want the blackness, inky dark fog ;). Also note that anyone in the area will get a save for interacting with it.
Seeker95 10-06-05, 01:26 PM	I would allow you to make an illusion of darkness. I would not allow your illusion to function as darkness. Hair splitting is the weapon of every DM, and the bane of every player. Just don't try it in reverse. Core Rule Books hurt when placed upside a player's head. :P
Darrett 10-06-05, 02:13 PM	Just don't try it in reverse. Core Rule Books hurt when placed upside a player's head. :P That's why you should buy the Core Rulebook Gift Set. Then you can get them with all three at once.
smrtgmp 10-06-05, 09:10 PM	I would let it mimic darkness, for the simple fact that minor image has a duration of concentration, which severly limits it functionality. But yeah, using illusions to provide cover/concealment is a classic tactic, and has likely saved countless parties from an otherwise grisly end.
Vaalingrade Ashland 10-06-05, 09:52 PM	What exactly happens when you blunder into an illusion you failed a save against?
jaelis 10-06-05, 09:57 PM	You pass through it without feeling anything. If it is an illusion of something that should provide a tactile sensation (like a wall), then you automatically disbelieve it. At least, that is how I interpret the statement "A character faced with proof that an illusion isn't real needs no saving throw."
Seeker95 10-07-05, 07:17 AM	I would let it mimic darkness, for the simple fact that minor image has a duration of concentration, which severly limits it functionality.The only reason I would not permit even [i]minor image[/]i to do this is because of the "slippery slope". If a low level spell can di it, why couldn't a higher level spell? The "requires concentration" element is not present at higher levels.
Seeker95 10-07-05, 07:20 AM	What exactly happens when you blunder into an illusion you failed a save against?I imagine it is kinda like what happens when you are walking down the stairs with something in your hands that prevents you from seeing the bottom step. If you expected one more step, and it isn't there, you slam into the landing with enough force to jar your spine. You definitely know (via irrefutable proof) that the step wasn't there. Similarly, if you didn't expect one more step, thinking you were already at the landing, you are likely to fall (requiring a balance check!) and are equally presented with irrefutable proof that there was another step that you did not see.
smrtgmp 10-07-05, 04:26 PM	The only reason I would not permit even minor image to do this is because of the "slippery slope". If a low level spell can di it, why couldn't a higher level spell? The "requires concentration" element is not present at higher levels. All the image spells (up to and including major image) have a duration of concentration (+x rounds). What I was getting at was this: Darkness is a 2nd level spell with a duration of 10min/lvl (a minimum of 30 minutes). I dont have a problem with someone effectively duplicating its effect with a 1st level spell with a duration of concentration, given that concentrating on a spell denys you the ability to cast other spell (barring certain feats, of course). That doesn't strike me as unbalancing in the least.
Vaalingrade Ashland 10-07-05, 05:42 PM	Except silent image in this capacity could actually create darkness while the spell darkness doesn't.