Project Image

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• Level: 7
• School: Illusion
• Class: Bard, Wizard
• Casting Time: Action
• Range: 500 miles
• Components: V, S, M (a statuette of yourself worth 5+ GP)
• Duration: Concentration, up to 1 day

You create an illusory copy of yourself that lasts for the duration. The copy can appear at any location within range that you have seen before, regardless of intervening obstacles. The illusion looks and sounds like you, but it is intangible. If the illusion takes any damage, it disappears, and the spell ends.

You can see through the illusion's eyes and hear through its ears as if you were in its space. As a Magic action, you can move it up to 60 feet and make it gesture, speak, and behave in whatever way you choose. It mimics your mannerisms perfectly.

Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be illusory, since things can pass through it. A creature that takes the Study action to examine the image can determine that it is an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the illusion for what it is, the creature can see through the image, and any noise it makes sounds hollow to the creature.

Tactical Usage

Remote Presence Projection. Project Image enables unprecedented long-distance communication and interaction through illusory projection across vast distances up to 500 miles.

Strategic Intelligence Gathering. The ability to see and hear through the illusion provides excellent reconnaissance capabilities in familiar locations without physical risk to the caster.

Diplomatic Applications. Remote projection enables participation in meetings, negotiations, or ceremonies without travel time or exposure to dangerous journey risks.

Spell Combinations

Communication Enhancement. Combining with message spells or telepathic abilities provides additional communication channels while maintaining illusory presence for visual impact.

Information Security. Coordinating with divination magic helps ensure projection location safety while maintaining communication security through magical rather than physical presence.

Backup Planning. Preparing contingency spells or emergency magic creates safety nets if projection is discovered, destroyed, or if return communication becomes necessary.

Material Component Details

Statuette Investment. The 5+ gold piece statuette of the caster creates a symbolic link for projection magic while representing minimal financial investment for the capability provided.

Personal Representation. The statuette must represent the caster specifically, requiring custom creation or magical enhancement to establish the necessary magical connection.

Symbolic Connection. The physical representation provides magical sympathy that enables the extraordinary range and fidelity of the illusory projection.

Creator Notes

Long-Distance Communication Tool. Project Image provides excellent mechanisms for maintaining contact across vast distances during separated party operations or diplomatic missions.

Investigation Opportunities. The spell enables remote participation in events, meetings, or encounters that would otherwise require dangerous travel or impossible positioning.

Concentration Vulnerability. The extended duration and concentration requirement create interesting tactical decisions about when to risk using this powerful communication tool.

Environmental Interactions

Familiar Location Requirement. Projection can only appear in locations the caster has personally seen, limiting but not eliminating the strategic value of long-distance presence.

Intangible Limitations. The illusion cannot physically interact with objects or people, restricting activities to communication, observation, and social interaction.

Detection Vulnerability. Physical interaction immediately reveals the illusion, while Investigation checks allow discernment through careful observation.

Common Rulings & Clarifications

Sensory Connection. Casters see and hear through the projection as if physically present, providing complete sensory information about the remote location.

Movement Control. The projection can move 60 feet per Magic action and perform any gestures, speech, or behavior the caster chooses within illusion limitations.

Damage Sensitivity. Any damage to the illusion immediately destroys it and ends the spell, making protection and positioning important considerations.

Range Limitations. The 500-mile range covers enormous distances but might be insufficient for interplanar or transcontinental communication needs.

Alternative Applications

Educational Instruction. Providing remote teaching, training, or consultation services across great distances without requiring physical travel or presence.

Performance Projection. Enabling entertainers to perform simultaneously in multiple locations or participate in events despite geographical separation.

Witness Testimony. Allowing remote participation in legal proceedings, important ceremonies, or events requiring personal presence but involving travel dangers.

Related Spells

Illusion Magic Comparison. Major Image provides local illusion control, while Programmed Illusion offers automation, and Project Image enables personal remote presence.

Communication Alternatives. Sending provides instant messaging, while Scrying offers observation without interaction, and Teleportation enables actual travel.

Remote Interaction. Arcane Eye provides scouting without illusion, while Clairvoyance offers sensory access without visible presence.

Scaling Analysis

High-Level Communication. As a 7th-level spell, Project Image represents significant resource investment for communication, justifying its exceptional range and capability.

Campaign Integration. The spell becomes increasingly valuable for high-level characters managing territories, organizations, or diplomatic relationships across vast distances.

Concentration Management. The extended duration makes concentration protection increasingly important for maintaining valuable communication links during important events.

Narrative Flavor

Perfect Mimicry. The projection should appear indistinguishable from the actual caster, reproducing mannerisms, voice, and appearance with supernatural accuracy.

Distance Bridging. The magic should emphasize the incredible span being bridged, with the caster simultaneously present in two distant locations.

Illusory Nature Hints. Subtle details might hint at the projection's nature - slightly translucent appearance, lack of physical weight, or otherworldly qualities that careful observers might notice.