Spells of Light and Darkness: The Art of the Flame and Void was released last week. If you’ve been thinking to yourself, “Light and darkness spells? Sounds pretty lame.” here are two spells of darkness that might change your mind:

Eclipse
Evocation [Darkness]
Level: Cleric 7, Sorcerer/Wizard 7
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: 2 miles
Area: 2-mile-radius sphere
Duration: 4d12 hours
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This spell creates an area of magical darkness in a 2-mile radius centered on a point chosen by the caster. Within the area of the spell the sun is blotted out, creating an area of magical darkness that suppresses natural light sources, resulting in an area of shadowy illumination. Creatures within an area of shadowy illumination gain concealment (20% miss chance). Even creatures that can normally see in such conditions (such as with darkvision or low-light vision) have the miss chance in an area shrouded in magical darkness.

A darkness spell (one with the darkness descriptor) counters and dispels a light spell (one with the light descriptor) of an equal or lower level. A darkness spell brought into the area of a light spell of equal or higher level is temporarily negated (and vice versa). If both the darkness and light spells are simultaneously negated, the otherwise prevailing light conditions exist in the overlapping areas of effect.

Arcane Material Component: A small diamond dipped in black oil.

Shadow Spy
Divination [Darkness, Scrying]
Level: Assassin 3, Cleric 4, Sorcerer/Wizard 3
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Personal
Target: Your shadow
Duration: 1 min./level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This spell animates your shadow, allowing you to independently move it up to your speed as a move action. In addition, the shadow spy acts as a scrying sensor, allowing you to see (but not hear) the immediate surroundings of your shadow as per a scrying spell.
A shadow spy can be difficult detect, making Hide checks using your skill modifier with a +10 circumstance bonus. In areas of dim light or shadowy illumination, this circumstance bonus doubles to +20. The shadow spy cannot be physically harmed.

While the spell remains in effect, you possess no natural shadow.

A darkness spell (one with the darkness descriptor) counters and dispels a light spell (one with the light descriptor) of an equal or lower level. A darkness spell brought into the area of a light spell of equal or higher level is temporarily negated (and vice versa). If both the darkness and light spells are simultaneously negated, the otherwise prevailing light conditions exist in the overlapping areas of effect.

Arcane Material Component: A shard of obsidian.

The eclipse spell is the type of thing that high-level necromancers use to keep their undead happy and Dark Lords crafts into sunslayer spheres to keep the yokels properly cowed with fear.

But shadow spy is the type of all-purpose utility spell that just about any self-respecting spellcaster will find useful. It’s less powerful than scrying, but also a slightly lower level and very flavorful.

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